The Seasalt Painted Garden

The garden

The garden draws inspiration from the mid-century modernist artists of the St Ives School, a renowned group that included Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron, and Bernard Leach – figures whose influence endures to this day. The St Ives School artists broke from traditional realism, pioneering nature-based abstraction and turning a Cornish fishing village into a hub of modern art in the 1950s and 60s. This garden reimagines their bold creativity in a contemporary setting.

Set within a courtyard adjoining an artist’s studio, the garden combines bold colour with imaginative use of recycled materials. Used filing cabinets are repurposed as plant containers, reflecting the artists’ ingenuity and resourcefulness during wartime shortages. While celebrating the legacy of mid-century creativity, the garden also looks forward, featuring a newly commissioned sculpture that offers a fresh expression of contemporary art – bridging past inspiration with present-day innovation.

Key plants

The planting has been chosen to represent plants often seen in west Cornwall and the colour scheme will be vibrant.

• Aeonium arboreum ‘Schwarzkopf’ – a characterful succulent known for its dark, dramatic rosettes, iconic in the landscapes of west Cornwall
• Aloe vera – a striking statement plant with bold architectural form, which thrives in the far west of Cornwall’s mild climate
• Angelica archangelica – large and architectural, excellent for adding height and structure to planting schemes
• Papaver rhoeas – bright red wild poppy, a native plant of Cornwall

Plants supplier: Bernhard’s Nurseries

Sustainability notes

The garden uses repurposed filing cabinets as plant containers, an idea that can be easily adopted by visitors in their own gardens. The garden will be lit with subtle illumination to avoid light pollution and disturbing night time wildlife. Clay pavers will be made with sustainably sourced clay by The Leach Pottery, St Ives.

About the Sponsor – Seasalt

Seasalt make beautiful quality clothing and accessories woven with stories of Cornwall, where the wild landscape, artistic culture and maritime heritage inspires everything they do. Sustainability has been key to their values since they began in 1981, acting responsibly, for the wellbeing of people and the planet and aiming to make a positive difference in the communities around us.

The designer – Lynn James

Lynn spent 23 years as a GP, gaining insight into resilience, people and communities but her passion for creativity and horticulture led her to study Garden Design at Capel Manor College. After earning her diploma, she began supporting other designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In 2024, she won a Gold medal at BBC Gardeners’ World Live for her garden ‘Everybody Needs Good Neighbours.’

Garden legacy

The garden will be relocated to The Leach Pottery, St Ives.