How To Design A Garden, Part 2: Theme

1. Alhambra in Granada, Spain
2. Tea in the Garden, Henri Matisse, 1919
3. Lotusland

these three photos reference the post below, "How To Design A Garden, Part 2: Theme," each being a theme we've used to design a garden.

 

Now that you're inspired and your outdoor dream space is floating around your head space, it's time to make this jellyfish of a dream into a green space reality.  This is exciting!  At this point, no project, idea or concept is too big or too small.  There are no details to knock out yet, so this part is both intuitive and research-based.  It relies on brainstorming, and it's fun.

It's theme time.  And the best way to pick a theme is to:

1. Look at the existing architecture of the outdoor space.  Often it will give you at least the floor plan for your garden, outdoor office, or patio.  Also, using architectural details from the existing architecture will give the garden the sense of it seeming as if it was "meant to be" there.
2. Look at yourself: meaning, how do you want to use this space? What do you want it to say about you?
3. Look at art and pick one painting, image or specific style you'd like to make come alive in your outdoor area.

Then make a simple phrase.  Start a file.

In this file collect pictures which represent solely elements and overall feelings of this theme. Here you can go big picture (conceptual), small (design details), or both, the more the merrier. From this, pull out 1-3 key images you want to use as your cornerstone theme go-to.  This will help you throughout the project to know if a certain element is in-keeping with your style.

If you're dealing with a large project or multiple areas, it may be nice to have an overarching theme, then more specific ones per individual area.  If your space is size-challenged, it tends to be maximized by theme cohesion, so try to have just one theme in mind.