Here at Cranbourne Stone, we pride ourselves on creating award-winning relationships with designers, architects and landscapers. Our relationship goes far further than simply providing natural and high-quality stones.
We understand that no two projects are the same. That’s why we work closely with designers, architects and landscapers to get to know their requirements, any constraints and how we can help. We’re on-call throughout the entire process to answer any questions and provide support, so designers can focus on producing stunning and prestigious works of art.
But, don’t just take our word for it.
We sat down with designer Ross Allan from Ross Allan Designs to talk about his work at the Chelsea Flower Show and how he used our natural stones to steal the show.
Can you tell us a bit about the Chelsea Flower Show and why it’s so special?
I find the Chelsea Flower Show garden very appealing. It’s seducing in many ways. You know it will exhaust all your energies and challenge your sensibilities and emotions, but you keep coming back for more.
There’s so much emphasis on creating an impressive design for the event as the Chelsea Flower Show is the pinnacle of the gardening calendar and is recognised as the best in the world. As a designer, you have a responsibility to deliver a very high-end product. Receiving recognition at the show could greatly enhance and progress your career.
How did you become involved in the Chelsea Flower Show?
Our client Gaze Burvill asked us to design and build a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show. Ultimately, they wanted us to create an exhibit to show off Gaze Burvill’s range of outdoor furniture in a garden setting, rather than the classic showroom’ look, and create a fantasy garden where people could enjoy the furniture.
What was the brief you received and what style/design were they looking for?
Gaze Burvill asked us to showcase their range but in a tranquil and stylish space. They wanted the exhibit to gently encourage customers to buy their furniture with a ‘soft sell’, rather than the ‘hard sell’ you so often see at these events.
Unlike previous years, we’d be working in the new outdoor kitchen area which required greater definition and involved more styling and set dressing.
What was their challenge/need?
Gaze Burvill always wants to try to raise the bar to a new level every year by creating furniture that looks at ease within the 10x11m space and producing a fresh design. However, perhaps the biggest challenge of the project was that we needed to build and plant the garden within 15 short days.
How did Cranbourne Stone become involved in your project?
While my company knew the design we wanted to use, we needed to source natural stones. We ultimately choose to use Bridport Grey Porcelain (926 mm porcelain) and Namur Dark Porcelain from Cranbourne Stone.
Why did you choose to work with Cranbourne Stone?
We chose the porcelain paving supplied by Cranbourne Stone because they had the most comprehensive range of tiles and the quality was so convincing it looked like a Purbeck or Portland Stone. We got many comments from the public and trade-related queries about who supplied the tiles.
What was it like to work with Cranbourne Stone?
Cranbourne Stone’s products were integral to our design, but we also choose to work with them as they offer an amazing service. You feel supported throughout the entire process and have a line of communication from the point of order to the actual delivery. The value of Cranbourne’s service really cannot be underestimated, especially when you’re working on such a prestigious design and within such a tight deadline.
Were you happy with the final result?
Yes, very. Our garden design received a 5-star award from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which is a great accomplishment.