the bottom, lunch on the middle patio and dinner on
the lawn surrounded by our lavender, then we retire
to the sofa for coffees on the deck with candlelight.”
Selina’s own home and garden clearly inspire and
inform the books she writes, and in the years since
living in their new home her titles have included
Outdoor Living, Botanical Style and Garden Style, with
her latest, Shed Style, publishing recently, too. But, her
work can also influence her life. “After working on my
book Natural Living Style, plus all the awareness in
the press, I’m now desperately trying to live a more
sustainable life. It’s so great to pick and eat your own
homegrown plastic-free produce,” Selina enthuses.
“We grow vegetables such as peas, carrots, potatoes
and leeks and we have an apple tree that I use to
make apple crumbles. We also have blackberries,
strawberries, blueberries and redcurrants – I truly
love walking down the garden to pick my breakfast
in the summer months.”
Along with the joy of picking their own produce
and homegrown flowers, Selina believes that creating
an inspiring space is so important to boosting our
wellbeing, and this applies both indoors and out. Not
only does she recommend bringing the outdoors in
with cut flowers and plants, she suggests styling your
garden as you would any indoor room. “You can
experiment with all kinds of gardenalia. For example,
old metal gates look great and can double up as a
support for climbing plants. Sourcing items is
sometimes the most fun part – you may spy an
unusual piece and have a plan for it instantly, or
maybe you buy it and decide later – it can hang out
in your garden until inspiration hits.”
With this philosophy, it’s not surprising that Selina
has created such a wonderful oasis from what was
once a tangle of brambles and weeds. She confirms
the joy their outdoor retreat has brought: “When I’m
outside in the garden enjoying the beautiful sights
and sounds of nature and filling my lungs with air,
I couldn’t be happier.”Feeling inspired? Turn over for our style picks to help you
transform your outdoor space into a soothing sanctuaryusing her collection of gardenalia, which she’s always
on the lookout for when out and about. “I find items
at fairs, flea markets, flower shows, salvage yards
and second-hand shops. Some of my favourite finds
include beautiful zinc galvanised watering cans, an
antique decorative statue and a white painted French
bistro set which has turned a little rusty with time.”
While Selina admits that finding time for gardening
can be challenging, with the couple both having busy
jobs, she says it is important to her and at the first
signs of spring, she is itching to spend all of her free
time out there. “I sow seeds in the shed, make spring
wreaths, fill my planters and give it a restyle.”
During their initial transformation of the space,
they created ‘zones’ in the garden. Their back door
leads to a decked area, framed with wisteria, which
houses an outdoor sofa and their barbecue, followed
by a lawn section with a rose and lavender border,
through to a patio where an outdoor table lends itself
to alfresco eating. Further on, there is what they call
‘the meadow’ due to its spring bluebells and summer
wildflowers, followed by a cottage garden section
where foxgloves, roses, verbena and hollyhocks
bloom. These various areas mean the couple can
utilise the garden almost as if it has different ‘rooms’:
“We relax by using different spaces for our meals.
Breakfast in the sunny spot in the cottage garden atShed Style by Selina Lake is published by
Ryland Peters & Small. Readers can buy
a copy for £14 (RRP £19.99). Free UK P&P.
Order at rylandpeters.com using code
MOMENTSS at the checkout. Offer valid
until 1 May 2020. Read more at
selinalake.co.uk and on Insta @selinalakeSelina is passionate about
living a more sustainable life;
her garden 'finds', such as
this "slightly rusty" French
bistro set, reflect this.
Photograp
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Sty
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Ryalnd^
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