Sorry I have been AWOL for so long but I’ve been working on a very exciting & pretty huge landscape design project that is taking up all my time. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to tell anyone either whilst contracts were being written so I’ve kept it under my hat….
The main photo is of our paddock here in France where I’ve been working for the past week. It has been glorious over here so I’ve managed to mow the pathways back in. The multi-stemmed Acacia trees are all self seeded. I kept them as they look so fabulous when the sun shines as you can hopefully see. Our security cameras show our local wild animals walking around them at night which I love to see including foxes, deer, wild boar & badgers. We back onto woodland owned by the Chatelaine where they all live.
Anyway! – my exciting news is that I have been commissioned to redesign Bicester Village. It’s incredibly flattering & a huge honour. I initially found out when I was at a potential client’s house back in January. She was making a cup of tea so I quickly glanced at my emails. Amongst them was one saying Congratulations! My client started speaking to me & kept saying “Jo, are you alright? hello?!” as I was so shocked & dumfounded – actually speechless 🙂 She then went on to say “…but I want you to design my garden!” so funny. I explained I had a lead time to complete work so could squeeze hers in. Her garden build actually starts this week.
The Bicester project is very different to my usual work but it is all the more exciting for it. I was asked to pitch last December & initially baulked as I don’t do commercial work. However, I went along to discuss the project & after much back & forth, decided it would be a great thing to do. I had to pitch against other designers which certainly added to the pressure but made it all the more amazing to receive that email congratulating me.
After leaving my client with assurances I could still provide a design for her garden, I desperately wanted to tell my husband, friends & family. Nobody was answering their phones! I sent a WhatsApp to my family group & finally could share my amazing news.
I’m mid way through my design concept having had many meetings with the team at Bicester Village who have explained how it all works. John who initially interviewed me told me it’s now a mile long after all the expansion over the years including a fairly recent connection to Bicester railway station. It’s an incredible place & I’m learning very fast. All the team are lovely & so supportive so far.
My design obviously has to be flexible as well as beautiful so I’m still on a bit of a learning curve but so far I’m pleased with progress as are those @ Bicester who have had a sneak peek.
I can’t show you anything yet as it’s very much under wraps so watch this space & all as they say will be revealed.
All for now
