THE STUDIO
Charlie founded his studio in 2010, bringing to it years of artistic training, design mentorship, and hands-on experience planning and building gardens and shell pieces around the UK . Every project begins on site with the client. Sketch book in hand, Charlie listens carefully to what they want to achieve, takes in the lay of the land, surrounding architecture and history, and considers the seasonal practicalities of each client’s lifestyle, their taste and inspirations. Then it is back to the studio where the magic begins…
Sketching & painting is Charlie’s favoured method of visualising ideas - imperfect lines and painterly colour washes he feels best mimic silhouettes of foliage and form as well as textures and colours of architecture and hardscaping. While Charlie and his team are equipped to draw up detailed digital technical drawings, all masterplans are sketched and painted and what his clients get most excited about are his artist impressions - a practical and beautiful tool to show how the garden will look when matured.
Charlie is widely respected for the beautiful materials he chooses, his instinctive eye for proportion, and his ability to select exceptionally beautiful & inspiring plant and tree specimens from expert suppliers.
Whether shaping a country estate or crafting an intimate shell alcove, no two garden designs or commissions are alike; each one a collaboration, built around a unique brief.
FORM & INFLUENCE
Charlie’s work is deeply informed by the Italian gardens of his training and African landscapes of his youth. His signature style pairs structural elegance with a wild, whimsical character.
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 formally beautiful yet mystical and otherworldly.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
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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.
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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.
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FINAL DESIGNS
With final drawings, moodboards, samples and CAD plans, we have a precise view of the proposed garden. These documents define the layout, materials, and planting, providing a comprehensive picture.
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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.
SETTING THE FOUNDATION
Charlie’s approach to the foundation of a garden is rooted in an understanding of materials and how each can create a certain feel or aesthetic. How stone catches the light throughout the day, how a sea of grasses or floral colour move in the wind, or how water over shells or a figurative form can bring texture, atmosphere and hint at a certain narrative or time in history, are just some of the things that elevate his designs.
These elements are explored in the studio first, where drawings sit alongside samples and moodboards to test ideas.
This layered and thoughtful approach means, regardless of scale, each garden has a sense of depth and tactility. Materials are chosen not only for longevity, but for the narrative and sensory feeling they evoke — giving each project a compelling, multidimensional and timeless foundation.
WORKING TOGETHER
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.