Therapeutic gardens are beneficial for everyone. We firmly believe in the provision of ‘inclusive’ outdoor environments. With more people becoming aware of this fact, it is important for us to emphasise that therapeutic gardens can be custom designed for any area, and functionality does not have to come at the expense of style and beauty.
Our team understands the specific requirements of design for accessible environments, incorporating the use of tactile surfaces, accessible gradients, surface colours for the visually impaired, continuous accessible paths of travel, site lines for disabled access and the relevant Australian Standards.We place high importance on stimulatory elements including sensory play, textured surfaces, sound elements and scented planting.
Our philosophy is to not only meet the necessary standards, but to provide high quality designs with passive and active areas, challenging interactive items, and hard wearing surfaces to create fun, safe and practical outdoor environments giving special importance to design for independent use wherever possible. With that in mind, see some of our 2018 forecast for garden trends below.
Indoor/outdoor transition
Blurring the lines between indoors and out with outdoor kitchens and specific areas for relaxing, exploring and entertaining. A transition area can provide a seamless connection between indoors and out, effectively expanding both spaces.
Outdoor space planning
People spend time and money planning the palette for interior decorating, but what about outside? With the rising interest in transition areas, planning is just as important for outdoor areas to provide a seamless connection with inside and maximise space.
Metallic colours
Metallic furniture and paint finishes have been popular with interior decorators over the last few years.
We see this becoming popular outside as people continue to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
Outdoor tiles
Keep an eye out for a rise in popularity for outdoor tiles.
Moss and moss art
Bringing moss art or moss walls indoors can introduce a
host of benefits. Moss can reduce pollutants, noise pollution, and airborne dust particles. Grown outside, it will attract salamanders, frogs and insects. It can even be used for
skin care!
Indoor herb gardens
A herb garden in the kitchen provides fresh ingredients at your fingertips, and having plants inside the house can improve air quality. What's not to love?
Most of these trends predict people coming closer to nature, and it's no wonder: spending time in natural spaces does wonderful things for the human mind and body.
It's been Such an incredible year to look back on...Thank you to our wonderful clients and collaborators for your support in 2017. Bring on 2018!Please note our studio is closed for Christmas from the 19th of December until the 14th of January. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.
Images: Shutterstock and courtesy of Adam Robinson Design and Landsberg Garden Design
