It usually happens at this time of the year. The publicity fromChelsea starts appearing and with comes a steady flow of applications. There seem to have been more than usual this year. Perhaps the down turn has meant there are less jobs available for those seeking, perhaps we have a slightly higher profile. Firstly I would like to thank all those who have applied, the interest and effort given is flattering, especially when some of those writing for a potential position are doing so from the USA, Japan, Spain as well as closer to home. I would love to be able to meet with every person who contacts us but the reality of our business is that whilst there are some great months when we are working all hours there are others when things have a more casual flow, and whilst additional staff could easily be busy it would be work that is difficult to charge for. We protect our cash flow and it is unfortunate that this means that we must keep our overheads low and at present that must mean that we cannot have the luxury of more designers. I frequently wonder how it would be to share projects. I work to quite a strict routine on projects; would another head make it more efficient, would we compliment or antagonise each other, how could I make room in my office now that I have learnt to spread everywhere.

The weekend garden I have been helping on is close to completion. However the final detailing is taking longer because I am a perfectionist and measure everything three times and cogitate far to much over large mugs of tea or Pimms.

We are at the decking stage. The plants are in and looking perkier than when they were in pots..its not a good time to transplant but I thought it was worth liberating them as they would get better care in the ground. The delivered wood was (of course) supplied in totally different lengths than that ordered, which took a whole evening and several mugs to work out the new cuts & the adjustments to the subdeck structure. But it once it started to go down the whole character of the garden changed. The final scheme will feature on the website when its finsihed but for now here are a few transitional shots.