Page 116 - Country Homes & Interiors (August 2019)

The kitchen garden is
planted with dahlias,

geraniums and cannas.
Clipped olives, box and
bay trees add structure

their feet is a glorious array of dahlias that peak from August in
combination with asters, heleniums, verbena bonariensis and gladioli. On Our dOOrstep…
Japanese design clearly has a particular resonance with the
Lamberts. ‘It brings simplicity and calm that contrast with the more
ebullient areas of the garden,’ explains Phillippa. The influence of Visit… Mottistone Manor
Japanese style is evident in their self-build home, a contemporary Gardens and Estate, near
Brighstone. A lovely National
‘boat house’ that extends its decks over the newly dredged lake.
Trust garden with an
‘The design unites the architecture of the house with the Elizabethan manor at its heart
landscape, providing studios for us both,’ she notes. (nationaltrust.org.uk).

On the other side of the house, Japanese design pervades a Shop at… The Coastal Gardener
sheltered courtyard. ‘This courtyard is the only element that is (thecoastalgardener.co.uk), a
truly contemporary,’ she explains. ‘The courtyard serves as an small specialist maritime plant
anteroom, providing a cool contrast to the riot of colour in the nursery run by Gerry Price at
Fakenham Farm in St Helens.
walled garden, and to the lush profusion of the adjacent, semi-
tropical borders.’ Some eight years ago, a slate sphere was Go for a meal at…
Thompson’s in Newport. A
installed to create a focus in the courtyard, made to Phillippa’s contemporary British restaurant
design by a talented friend, Glenn Cooke. run by chef Robert Thompson
Apart from help with specialist tree surgery, Phillippa and Steve (robertthompson.co.uk).
manage the gardens themselves in their spare time. Theirs is not
an ‘expert’ garden, they insist, nor do they try for technical
perfection in any sense. ‘“Make do and mend” and self-sufficiency
are the motivation for all the growing in the walled garden,’ they
explain. ‘In essence, this site goes back to the philosophy of
ancient gardens in sustaining the body as well as the soul.’
Pre-arranged garden visits for groups of 15-35 people take place until
30 September with donations to the local hospice. Two holiday cottages
within the gardens are available for rent. Visit lakehousedesign.co.uk.

116 COunTry HOMeS & InTerIOrS