THE SUSPENDED GARDEN: Sophie & Dimitri

Sophie & Dimitri: Nature Reclaimed at Capesthorne Hall

For Sophie and Dimitri, the brief went far beyond simply "bringing the outside in." They wanted a total immersion, a feeling that nature had quietly reclaimed the space. Set within the Lakeside marquee at the historic Capesthorne Hall, this commission was about balancing wild, untamed texture with refined luxury.

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Collaborating closely with planner Jessica Sharpe, we made the bold decision to lower the visual ceiling to create warmth. We constructed a massive, suspended cloud of Beech, Ruscus, Jasmine, and trailing Passionfruit vines. By bringing the foliage down, we transformed a cavernous marquee into an intimate, secret garden. While I won’t reveal the specific mechanics used to suspend such weight (a florist never tells all their secrets!), the result was a seamless canopy that felt as if it were growing from the structure itself, with climbing greenery wrapping the room's perimeter.

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To refrain from overwhelming the space, the tablescapes offered a delicate counterpoint. We used plentiful bud vases brimming with seasonal British flowers, creating a light, airy rhythm along the long tables. Finished with tapered green candles to draw the eye upwards, the design perfectly bridged the gap between the wild foliage above and the elegant dining experience below. From the rehearsal dinner in the Queen Anne Suite to the final dance, this was a masterclass in botanical texture.

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Photography Jono Symonds

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