JEKYLL 4 | House and Garden in Harmony
Gertrude Jekyll created a sympathetic relationship between house and garden in her work by working with Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), then a young architect. Their designs combined Lutyens’ architectural expertise with Jekyll’s gardening knowledge, bringing harmony between buildings and nature. Here are some key ways they achieved this balance:
Integrated Design
Jekyll and Lutyens believed that houses and gardens should be designed together, not separately. Lutyens considered the landscape when designing buildings, and Jekyll created gardens that matched the house’s style. The goal was to make the garden feel like an extension of the home, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.
Proportion and Scale
Lutyens designed buildings with strong proportions, often using classical elements. Jekyll chose plants that fit the scale of the house and its environment. She paid attention to how the garden related to the building by using plant sizes, colours, and textures to soften the house’s shape. Features like paths, terraces, and walls were scaled to echo the proportions of the house.
Natural Materials
The materials used in both the house and garden were often similar or complementary. For example, stone walls, paving, and other materials used in the building were also used in the garden, creating a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Natural stone and earthy tones helped blend the garden with the house and its surroundings.
Framing Views
Lutyens often designed large windows or doors opening to the garden, making the outdoors feel like part of the inside space. Jekyll planned garden layouts to frame these views, leading the eye from the house to the landscape. By placing plants and paths carefully, she connected the interior and exterior visually, reinforcing the feeling of harmony between the two.
Pathways and Movement
Jekyll designed pathways, terraces, and other elements to guide movement from the house to the garden. These pathways often matched architectural lines, helping create a natural flow between the indoor and outdoor areas. Her use of plant groups also made the garden feel like a natural extension of the house, blurring the boundary between the two.
Colour and Texture Coordination
Jekyll chose plants and flowers with colours and textures that matched the house’s exterior. For example, the colours of the building materials, such as soft stone or brick, were reflected in the flowers or leaves. The use of texture—whether the roughness of a stone wall or the smoothness of a brick façade—was also mirrored in the plants, such as the soft foliage of certain plants or the contrasting structure of hedges.
JEKYLL 4 | House and Garden in Harmony
Gertrude Jekyll created a sympathetic relationship between house and garden in her work by working with Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), then a young architect. Their designs combined Lutyens’ architectural expertise with Jekyll’s gardening knowledge, bringing harmony between buildings and nature. Here are some key ways they achieved this balance:
Integrated Design
Jekyll and Lutyens believed that houses and gardens should be designed together, not separately. Lutyens considered the landscape when designing buildings, and Jekyll created gardens that matched the house’s style. The goal was to make the garden feel like an extension of the home, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.
Proportion and Scale
Lutyens designed buildings with strong proportions, often using classical elements. Jekyll chose plants that fit the scale of the house and its environment. She paid attention to how the garden related to the building by using plant sizes, colours, and textures to soften the house’s shape. Features like paths, terraces, and walls were scaled to echo the proportions of the house.
Natural Materials
The materials used in both the house and garden were often similar or complementary. For example, stone walls, paving, and other materials used in the building were also used in the garden, creating a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Natural stone and earthy tones helped blend the garden with the house and its surroundings.
Framing Views
Lutyens often designed large windows or doors opening to the garden, making the outdoors feel like part of the inside space. Jekyll planned garden layouts to frame these views, leading the eye from the house to the landscape. By placing plants and paths carefully, she connected the interior and exterior visually, reinforcing the feeling of harmony between the two.
Pathways and Movement
Jekyll designed pathways, terraces, and other elements to guide movement from the house to the garden. These pathways often matched architectural lines, helping create a natural flow between the indoor and outdoor areas. Her use of plant groups also made the garden feel like a natural extension of the house, blurring the boundary between the two.
Colour and Texture Coordination
Jekyll chose plants and flowers with colours and textures that matched the house’s exterior. For example, the colours of the building materials, such as soft stone or brick, were reflected in the flowers or leaves. The use of texture—whether the roughness of a stone wall or the smoothness of a brick façade—was also mirrored in the plants, such as the soft foliage of certain plants or the contrasting structure of hedges.
Now we’ve discovered the key ways Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens achieved harmony in their designs, but can you remember them all? Click on the correct design elements below.
Now we’ve discovered the key ways Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens achieved harmony in their designs, but can you remember them all? Click on the correct design elements below.