DESIGN ROOTED IN CRAFT AND CLARITY
WHERE ARTISTRY AND INTUITION SHAPE EXTRAORDINARY GARDENS
Charlie Day runs a garden design studio, crafting inspiring, elegant & practical gardens throughout the UK and abroad. His initial hand-drawn & painted garden masterplans sometimes feature his specialist shellwork. These are also commissioned independently.
GARDEN DESIGN
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![A backyard scene with two yellow lounge chairs, a small white table, and a swimming pool in the foreground. In the background, there is a large white house with multiple windows and chimneys, surrounded by green grass, trees, and outdoor furniture.]()
SURREY
A large country house, gutted and rebuilt since 2022, has been the focus of an extensive landscape transformation.
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![An outdoor patio with a brick wall decorated with terracotta plaques and a sundial, potted plants, a black metal table and chairs, a lantern, and a decorative iron panel.]()
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Set below street level and shaded for much of the day, this sunken garden in Knightsbridge demanded a design that could transform enclosure into atmosphere.
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![A landscaped backyard patio with a curved brick pathway leading to a seating area with trees, shrubs, and greenery.]()
BROOK GREEN
In the quiet streets of Hammersmith, a modest garden has been transformed into a layered retreat.
SHELLWORKS
ABOUT CHARLIE
A JOURNEY THROUGH PLACE, CRAFT, AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Charlie’s creative journey began in Kenya, where the vast, untamed landscapes shaped his eye for form and space. Trained as a sculptor in Florence, he later returned to England to pursue his growing fascination with gardens and the dialogue between art and nature.
What started as a sculptor’s sensitivity to shape and material evolved into a passion for designing living spaces. Drawing on classical training and hands-on experience in the Cotswolds, Charlie founded his studio in 2010 — where garden design, sculpture, and artisan craft meet in timeless harmony.
THE STUDIO
A PRACTICE SHAPED BY ART, LANDSCAPE, AND CRAFT
From the first hand-drawn line to the final placement of plants and stone, the studio brings together artistry, intuition, and horticultural understanding. Charlie’s work is shaped by an attentive reading of place — the textures of the land, the movement of light, the quiet stories embedded in each site. Designs evolve through this dialogue, forming gardens that feel grounded yet imaginative, refined yet full of life.
Guided by craftsmanship and collaboration, each project grows into a space where structure and emotion coexist with ease.
IN THE PRESS
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![Text reading 'HOUSE & GARDEN' in large black letters on a white background.]()
A hidden alcove of shells and stone — a shellhouse created by Charlie Day, now a magical retreat for hotel guests.
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![A black silhouette of a bull's head against a white background.]()
Discover how classical shellwork is brought into contemporary gardens, blending craft and history through Charlie Day’s designs.
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![Line drawing of a male musician holding an electric guitar with other guitar illustrations around him.]()
Charlie’s sculptural training meets traditional grotto craft in this bespoke, water-lit sanctuary created for a historic Yorkshire hotel.
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![Logo of Financial Times with large black initials 'FT' inside a black square and the words 'Financial Times' underneath.]()
A look at Charlie’s sculptural approach to modern grotto building and the influences that continue to guide his craft. His work bridges centuries-old techniques with garden design.
