THE STUDIO
A PRACTIVE SHAPE BY CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INTUITION
Charlie founded his studio in 2010, bringing together years of artistic training, design mentorship, and lived experience into a highly personal garden and shellwork practice. Every project begins with careful listening and observation — understanding not just the land, but the lives and stories it holds.
He is widely respected for his refined material sensibility, his instinctive eye for proportion, and his ability to select exceptional plant and tree specimens. No two commissions are alike; each one is a collaboration, grounded in trust and built around the unique brief of each client.
Whether shaping a country estate or crafting an intimate shell alcove, Charlie’s approach remains consistent: intuitive, considered, and rooted in beauty.
A CREATIVE LANGUAGE SHAPED BY SCULPTURE, NATURE, AND MEMORY
FORM & INFLUENCE
Charlie’s work is deeply informed by the Italian gardens of his training and the African landscapes of his youth. His signature style pairs structural elegance with a wild, whimsical character, creating spaces that feel both timeless and emotionally resonant.
A commission to create a mannerist shellhouse in the early years of his studio reignited his passion for architecture, narrative, and material craft. From that point forward, Charlie has seamlessly married his background in sculpture with garden and shellwork design — creating spaces that feel both grounded and otherworldly.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
-
CONSULTATION
A conversation to explore the possibilities for your garden, discuss your aims, and gather inspiration. This stage helps define the brief and establish the overall direction of the project.
-
SKETCH
An initial hand-drawn sketch provides a clear starting point for the design. It acts as a shared reference, allowing ideas to be refined collaboratively before moving into detailed plans.
-
FINAL DESIGNS
With final drawings and CAD plans, we have a precise view of the proposed garden. These documents define the layout, materials, and planting, providing a comprehensive picture.
-
BUILD
The design finally moves from plan to construction. Using practised craftsmanship and attention to detail, the project progresses step by step until it is fully brought to life.
MATERIALS AS FOUNDATION
TEXTURE, FORM, AND NATURAL MATERIALS SHAPE EACH DESIGN
Much of Charlie’s approach is rooted in an understanding of materials — how stone catches the light, how plants move in the wind, and how shells or carved forms can create texture and atmosphere. These elements are explored in the studio first, where drawings sit alongside samples and reference studies that help test ideas with precision.
This grounding in craft ensures that each garden, regardless of scale, has a sense of depth and tactility. Materials are chosen not only for longevity, but for the feeling they carry — allowing each project to hold a quiet, compelling identity.
WORKING TOGETHER
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH SHAPED AROUND EACH CLIENT
The studio treats each commission as a close collaboration. Charlie works directly with clients, craftsmen, and specialist makers to refine every stage of the project — from early ideas to final planting. Whether designing a city garden, a rural landscape, or a bespoke shellwork feature, the focus remains on creating spaces that feel considered, personal, and enduring.