Simple + effective = love it [I just can't really do it...]

WIW 6 / Feb 23

One of the things I’m really bad at – and I'm sure there are people reading this who’ve started to think of ALL the many things I’m bad at – is simplicity. 

I love the concept of form and function; I really respect it when someone is single minded enough to do just one thing; or someone who can show that a single colour palette or effect is just enough.

At home though, I’m just not that person. I can be, when I’m designing for my clients, depending on their needs. I definitely am when I’m editing or writing. But when I’m at home, on my own, thinking about plants, I always want too many. Just one here or I’ll pop another one in there. The spacing goes out the window, the desire to try a new plant too strong, the worry about not having enough space to grow yet another plant too great. 

So this week's post is something of a complete relief....

Photograph: Richard Bloom

Where It Works Bury Court, Surrey, designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole: bury-court.com

Why It Works Well, just look at it. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ at its absolute best.

Simplicity?

Power?

Colour?

Control?

Beauty?

Statement?

Fun?

Take your pick of any of the above. Is this view, for you, all about human’s power over the landscape, creating ordered lines and control? Is it an inditement of human’s lack of understanding about the organicness of the natural world?

Or is it a stunning piece of artistry, juxtaposing straight lines and rigidity within a natural setting? A clever piece of colouration, hued together at this time of year to make a very special effect? A reference to field patterns and meadows of yore, that have been tamed (and exterminated) by man?

I love this piece of artwork. And I want to experience it. (I’ve not visited it, so maybe it’s different when you’re there, but somehow I reckon it would work perfectly.) Designer Christopher Bradley-Hole is a master of restraint and knows when enough is enough, and when enough needs a bit more – or less. He’s a master at it and this scheme shows why.

Bury Court is a place for weddings, so there has to be a resilience to the design and planting, but also a wow moment for photo opps. I can imagine bridesmaids poking their heads out from different blocks; or the newlyweds together in one of the paths. Or ‘happy’ Uncle Charles staggering into the grasses too often while being chastised by Aunty Ann for drinking too much.

But could I ever conceive of something like this at home, with the mundane minutiae of life surrounding it? How does it feel going from this to having to mow the lawn? Having to scoop up the dog poo on one of the grid paths? Yelling at the kids to not knock the football into the middle of it? Being so disappointed when a gust of wind blows down half the grasses?

Maybe something like this has to be of its place, a special treat amongst other spaces. It’s a one off and totally special – and maybe that’s the point. It isn’t meant to be real, not meant to be applicable to everyone. It’s meant to be a piece of artwork that looks amazing, photographs well, and has a deeper meaning for those looking into it.

It’s simple. And it works for me.

Chris Young

What do you think? Do you LOVE this or does it leave you COLD? Would you have chosen those grasses or another species? Why is it that some of us love simplicity and others find it soulless? Let me know and join the chat!