Garden Designer Laara Copley-Smith

Design : My Design work is always specific and taylored to the client brief. Bespoke and individual. I work with the client/s to realise their `Vision and Aspirations`. Design work has formal and classical overtones with a modernist feel, yet is always individual to the client and the site.

Qualifications :The Creative Arts - worked within Television, Film, Theatre industry for 10 years. Experience as a painter working with acrylic on canvas. Also with sculpture, resin, clay, stone and plaster.

Further 'Garden Design Diploma' at Merrist Wood Horticultural College, Surrey, completed 1999. Awarded distinction and `Best Final Project`

Area based : Southern England, UK and International commissions undertaken

Most exciting garden designed :"I become deeply involved with all my work during the design process. There are many gardens which have been exciting and challenging in many ways.

What inspires you about each garden that you design? : I feel that each space has a unique sense of `feeling and energy`. And it is always essential to invest time to evaluate 'what is presently there' and how the existing space feels and the 'story' it tells.

Inspiration can be given in many ways, this maybe individual elements that are specific to the site and the landscape beyond. The trees, the light and shadow that nature creates.

It may be the architecture of the buildings, materials, colour tones and textures existing or to be included into the design. Or the clients brief, as often bespoke elements are to be incorporated into the design. This maybe water features, metal/glass works, timber construction, lighting design, natural stone and stone masonry works. Then of course the soft landscaping which creates the softer three dimensional form, texture and colour.

Is there a plant that seems to be consistently used in your designs? I often work with a mix of texture - Using Buxus sempervirens as solid sculptural form which gives solidity and balance with buildings and architectural elements. This may be geometric and linear or curved, more organic and softer. Depending upon the site of course. Intergrating this denser, architectural planting with the looser ornamental grasses and perennial planting. The perennial planting creates a rich tapestry of shape, texture and colour . Bringing a light and ethereal quality to the garden.

How do your clients cope with looking after their garden once you and your team have left ? Many of my clients wish for professionals to look after the garden at this stage. A maintenance programme can be compiled and a maintenance facility is available depending on location . As a project manager I can also recommend or source a suitable maintenance company. The 'evolvement' of the garden can be monitored by myself if the client desires.

What is the average time scale for a typical garden? Projects can vary greatly, as often development work upon the property is in process. Also the scale of the garden has an effect on the time scale. A large project can take up to approximately 1 year. Again this is individual to the specific details of the situation. A smaller project can be anything from 2 weeks to 6 months.

My design practice and consultancy offers flexibility of services, this can range from 'Individual Consultation', 'Specific Design Elements', to 'Complete Design and Project management'.

Advice to would be designers: If you are deeply passionate about gardens and for the immense role the garden and nature plays in our lives , build your vision and work towards it. Be open to new discoveries and challenges all the time. As there is always new elements to learn; This maybe of the challenges of bringing a project together, working with a team of craftsmen/women. Or the wonders of the plant world. One never stops learning and growing.