Get seasonal styling tips from Wildflower contributor Selina Lake, who captures the magic of the changing seasons, as we move from summer into autumn. Learn how to create beautiful seasonal arrangements using late summer blooms – sunflowers, cosmos, rudbeckias, verbena bonariensis, and of course, autumn’s favourite, the dahlia.
Selina says, “Autumn is such a rich and colourful season in the garden, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring to life a celebration of everything that makes it so special. I hope the space provides plenty of inspiration to reclaim your outdoor space, long after the summer comes to an end.”
Here, Selina shares her top styling tips for late summer into autumn gardens…
1. Create a cosy corner – Your garden doesn’t need to be out of bounds just because the weather begins to chill. As temperatures drop, the addition of a chimenea, firepit, or installation of a wood burning stove, will add some gorgeous warmth to a seasonal outdoor space. A garden room with mains power can benefit from an electric stove, I’ve used the Sunningdale stove by Dimplex for this project. The perfect spot to gather round
with friends or loved ones.
2. Be inspired by nature – From burnt oranges, terracotta’s, peachy pinks, deep browns and evergreen shades, the rich palette of the season will leave you spoilt for choice. I use Autumn anemone, heather and dahlia plants in pots to soften and bring colour to outside seating and dining areas. Small trees such as crab apples work well to add height and interest. Cushions and throws in similar complimentary shades tie the overall outdoor
living look together and will make garden furniture comfier so you can linger longer in your own patch of nature. All my plants for this project were sourced via Dobbies Garden Centres.
3. Floral displays – Make the most of the late summer blooms, by creating floral displays and arrangements, just as you would inside your home. Fill green metal buckets and vases with an eclectic mix, with pops of pink, perfect peaches and marigold yellows. British Dahlias, Echinacea, Zinnias, Rosehips and pink and rust tone Sunflowers are all available from florists now if you don’t grow your own to pick. Arrange your collection of vases of blooms in a group in the centre of a round or oval table or along the middle of a rectangle shape table. As its harvest season I like to use baskets and bowls filled with apples and small pumpkins and squashes to dot in between my floral arrangements.
4. Work with what you have – Garden benches can be used to make inviting daybeds with a clever use of seat mattress cushions and scatter cushions. Simply layer roll out seat mattresses and arrange a selection of cushions. Utilise old ceramic and stoneware jugs to display seasonal flowers. If you fancy a new accessory for the autumn choose something that works with the on trend cottagecore style, such a cushion with a ruffle frill edge or a linen gingham tablecloth. Another big trend for the season is wide stripes, which can be achieved with textiles. My go to companies for cushions and tablecloths are Projektityyny and Studio Blackwell.
5. Lights on – Outdoor lighting is a quick and easy addition to cosy up your space. Festoon lights will add a lovely illuminating twinkle, I always use sets from Lights 4Fun. Tea lights and candles scattered on outdoor dining tables add a romantic feel for early evening outdoor dining. Light up garden buildings with pendant lights, I love sourcing vintage glass shades from Lamb and Newt with filament bulbs or classic Anglepoise lamps for an evening glow.
Selina’s style inspiration: Mid- Century modern, vintage flower show vases, ginghams, perfect peachy pinks, natural baskets, late summer flowers and French fluted glass lights.
Styling by Selina Lake, assisted by Sarah Prall, photography Julia Currie
www.selinalake.co.uk
www.alitex.co.uk
instagram: @selinalake
