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Valentino Garavini Residence

in Holland Park, London

 

Date: 2004

Location: Holland Park, UK

Project Team: Julia Watson for Randle Siddeley Associates + Alain Bouvire Architects 

Client: Valentino Garavini

Julia was the landscape designer for the haute couture clothing designer’s Holland Park residence.

The previous owner had designed a very modern, contemporary, and structured garden. The Client wanted the opposite and wished to create a romantic, classical garden with a sense of calm and serenity. The challenge was to transform the dull, contemporary, structured garden into a romantic, classical haven. The clients wanted tranquility and a mainly white garden, but also wanted enough space for their children to play football or cricket. So, RSL set out to create five distinct areas and began the transformation by laying a newly designed black and white path at the front of the house flanked by magnolias and yew hedging.

 

The rear-espaliered trees were retained and introduced as an avenue of trees dividing the main terrace and lawn (it also served to disguise a ventilation shaft). A delicate pergola was created, festooned with clematis and roses. A faux studded door with an inset paneled mirrored finish set in the back wall deceives the eye into thinking it’s looking out into the park. Meanwhile, the big lawn for the children to play on is screened by beech and espalier hornbeam. A water feature, antique classical urns, and wooden obelisks and pyramids for rambling white roses, further contribute to creating the abundantly flowering, classical arbor that the clients wanted.

The studio acknowledges that we are sited on the traditional lands of the first people of Brooklyn, New York—the Lenape people past and present—and honor them and the land with gratitude.

Contact Us

For other inquiries, email info@juliawatson.com

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