Winning Gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Walking into the Great Pavilion Tuesday morning our stomachs were in knots. Approaching our collaborative stand we could see the award and as we got closer, we soon realised we had won a Gold… The 9 months preparation, early morning meetings, labour intensive production schedule and being awake most of the night before had paid off and it was all worth it.

Our Taj Mahal gazebo started as a concept back in August last year following on from our success at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. Where not only did we win Gold but our gazebo also was awarded with the very prestigious and rare New Design Award.

Following on from the Hampton Court show we realised that for Chelsea, we needed to put our thinking caps on for something bigger, grander and unique to us. One early morning meeting, Jack asked for a few weeks to come up with a concept and using the latest CAD drawing system. Jack created a design so beautiful, elegant and iconic, we were all blown away and the Taj Mahal gazebo was born.

Although a complete contrast in design to the gazebo that featured at Hampton Court. We loved the way that gazebo’s raw finish contrasted with the soft green hues of the Ferns and so as the manufacturing process went on, the Copper effect powder coat was chosen. With a slight opacity to expose the iron workings underneath and give the finish further depth, it wasn’t until the gazebo was erected at Chelsea, that we could really take in the splendour of this chosen finish.

But we knew for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the gazebo and ferns weren’t going to be enough in capturing the medias eye and so enlisted the help of a local dance academy the Taal-Rasa-Bhava. Who promote Indian culture through the traditional dance of Bharatanatyam and are all aged between 10 – 15 years.

After months of practice, we couldn’t have predicted the attention we would receive at the show on press day. Not just by the media, but also by well-known celebrities such as Ben Fogle, Alex Jones, Ellie Harrison, James Martin (who cooked the girls a light bite) and David Walliams. Whom all watched their performance and took time out of their schedules to speak with the girls about where they are from and ask “why are you here?”. Their responses were perfect and we couldn’t have wished for such professional and marvellous ambassadors.

Following on from press day the excitement climaxed on Tuesday morning, when we discovered our collaborative stand had won the Gold award. Winning Gold two consecutive years in a row at an RHS flower show, truly is an amazing step and we have been so lucky with the support, from our stunning local dance academy, local press and also the wider media.

Who knows what the future shall bring, but we feel our RHS Chelsea story has made it all worth it.


Images are the property of The Iron Garden and Paul Tibbs Photography.