If Neptune did garden rooms
If Neptune did garden rooms
As a space you don’t need to fight the rest of the family for, a garden room, separate from the main home, can feel like a different world altogether. Personal studio, yoga room, office, cinema or guest bedroom, if designed well they can offer the best of indoors and out. We caught up with garden designer Jonnie Wake of Landmark Gardens to hear his thoughts on how the Neptune look might translate to a garden room.
‘A mix of traditional materials, craftsmanship and a contemporary finish would suit Neptune well,’ suggested Jonnie. ‘There’s the charm of a shepherds’ hut or converted horsebox in the country, but if we’re working with a smaller plot, we might try an upcycled shed or a more contemporary timber-clad structure with plenty of glass for natural daylight. For that timeless Neptune interior style, some oak or stone flooring could echo the garden’s architectural credentials, while sliding Crittall glass doors would brighten the space and make it glow at night.’
And when it comes to the interior? ‘The finishing touch, of course, would be plenty of climbing plants to soften the timber cladding, and maybe an oak and steel desk like the Carter, or the easy comfort of the Chatto Lloyd Loom sofa,’ adds Jonnie. He also points out that, while it’s not meant to be a home-from-home, a garden room does need some creature comforts: ‘Don’t forget to install some good heating and Wi-Fi, and potentially even a water supply, otherwise you’ll quickly end up back at the kitchen table.’
Garden room heroes
Those designs in our collection that would feel most at home close to the great outdoors.
The floor: Tamworth, our terracotta tile, is ideal for a garden room as it links with terracotta pots in the garden and has an aged finish that’s appropriate in an outdoorsy setting. If you want something warmer underfoot though, try our Savernake engineered oak, which has a tactile brushed surface.
The wall covering: shiplap or tongue and groove panelling is undoubtedly well-suited to a garden room, even if it’s a brick-built rather than timber-clad structure outside. If you do go plain on the walls though, try our Cranbrook spruce boarding – which has a slightly roughened, whitewashed finish – on the ceiling.
The desk: like Jonnie suggested, Carter is a good choice because its blackened steel legs and textured oak tabletop have just enough rusticity to them to look the part. Alternatively, trestle-legged Hebden will lend your room a creative studio atmosphere.
The armchair: an indoor-outdoor piece, like Chatto, is a natural choice, but you could also try a timber design like Wycombe if space is tight. If comfort is important, pick a smaller upholstered chair such as Theo or Caspar and cover it in either a light and breezy pale linen, a floral print like Francesca, or an aged tan leather like our St James.
Planning a garden room? Our home designers can help you translate our welcoming and timeless aesthetic into a space that reflect your own personal style. Find out more and get in touch here. You’ll also find more inspiration for garden rooms in this piece on greenhouses, orangeries and conservatories.
