My visit to the Chelsea Flower Show 2020 ...

So for once the number 137 bus from Piccadilly down to Lower Sloane Street was almost empty and it was possible to sit on my favourite seat at the back of the route master next to the conductor to reach the Royal Chelsea Hospital in time for a full day wandering around lapping up the magical atmosphere of the annual Chelsea Flower Show.  Of course this is entirely fictitious, since, as with other events, this year's Show has gone digital (catch it online here) and secondly I'm marooned in South Africa for the foreseeable future until borders are open and international flights are available - hoping by end of Summer.  Thanks to the Royal Horticultural Society website, it is still possible to do your Chelsea Show shopping, vote for your favourite stand and get lots of gardening tips and inspiration.

The Chelsea Flower Show may no longer be the largest in the world: the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival surpassed it in size a few years' ago, but Chelsea remains the most prestigious, and I have many fond childhood memories of visiting the show with my parents and once with my school - dressed in our distinctive French navy uniforms and straw boaters, it's crown having grosgrain blue and red ribbon running around it.   The omnipresence of the Chelsea Pensioners - distinguished army veterans dressed in their ceremonial scarlet coats and shakos, adds to the grandeur of this fantastic annual celebration of flowers.

This wonderful photo is by Malvern Garden Buildings* 

Shop fronts throughout London, but predominantly in Chelsea, Fulham and even Battersea, adorn their premises and entrances with the most spectacular floral displays.  Here are some photos from last year, when I was there, and of course lunch or afternoon tea at The Ivy Chelsea Garden is blooming brilliant at any time of the day - it is a favourite haunt of mine with family and friends and was a hop and a skip from KLC School of Design, so we clocked up quite a few thousand airmiles there over the 3 years.  Last year one of KLC's Garden Design diploma alumni, Andrew Lord (as part of Andy Sturgeon's team) was decorated (haha no pun intended!) with the prestigious Gold Medal and Best in Show.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden in it's full glory for the Chelsea Flower Show - and yes all real flowers

Flower power is everywhere normally throughout London and people everywhere seem to be happy and full of Spring.  Another story entirely during this frightening pandemic - which thankfully has barely touched South Africa, yet with our entire families in the UK and my many dear dear friends in New York, I am devastated by the Covid-19 outbreak.  The image above does fill me with joy though and I think that as I mentioned previously, the fact that we are spending so much time in our homes and gardens, we are returning to our roots and being thankful for the simple things in life such as natural flora and fauna.

Of course a Flower Show isn't just about flowers, on the contrary, one of my favourite manufacturers of outside bespoke cedar buildings is Malvern Garden Buildings, who custom make luxury garden buildings in the Worcestershire  - check out their virtual Chelsea Flower Show Stand video, to give you an oversight of the diversity of their buildings - from home office, to home gym, granny flats to shepherd huts - the possibilities are endless, and there are even show discounts online.   When I move back to the UK I already have my eye on a Hanley Heritage bespoke studio.

The Hanley Heritage Garden Office by Malvern Garden Buildings

In conjunction with the Chelsea Flower Show, there is also the most amazing Chelsea in Bloom Flower Festival, where hundreds of shops, restaurants and hotels decorate with sheer aplomb.  Here are some examples from last year, when the theme was Under the Sea:

The floral fish outside of Space NK Apothecary M

Octopus outside Moyses Stevens 

Keeping to the floral theme,  have a look at Matthew Williamson's latest collection with Osborne & Little, the colours are so sumptuous and the detailing is quite exquisite, in some of them they are so evocative it's as if you can smell the sweet aroma of the dog roses.  Click here to see Williams' latest daydreams collection brochure - I think it's quite divine, and hope you love it also.  Of course I love the Tiger Grove, which is reminiscent of the vintage framed papier peint in my living room.

Tiger Grove by Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little

My vintage French jungle wallpaper in my living room

Another brand that I can't get enough of is the London-based design studio which has re-imagined the archive of legendary Australian fabric designer Florence Broadhurst.  The rejuvenated collection is a mélange of big blousy Japanese florals, exotic birds, with coordinating stripes and lattice geometrics and is a breath of fresh air, and I'm even more intrigued about this brand owing to the flamboyant life Broadhurst lived.  The range comprises of wallpaper, lamp shades and fabrics - in 100% cotton, soft plush 100% polyester velvet with a martindale rub of 60,000 suitable for upholstery and soft furnishings and the Spring collection comes in a beautiful palette of eau de nil, corals and greens.  My favourite is the papyrus: with it's 1960s vibe bullrush and papyrus feathers, together with the complimentary lattice prints.  Broadhurst created in excess of 500 designs, predominantly inspired by her foreign travels, which were crafted into wallpapers and fabrics.  Sadly the Australian designer was tragically murdered in 1977 in her studio in Australia, but thankfully her designs are having a renaissance and are truly timeless.  

Papyrus in Blush by Florence Broadhurst

Japanese floral in Forest Green, Octagonal lattice in Coral and Papyrus in Blush by Florence Broadhurst 

So enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show this weekend and have fun on the virtual tour at Chelsea Hospital!

xo