With Mary Berry and Lorraine Kelly big fans, the Alitex greenhouse stand styled by Selina Lake was a showstopper. We got the author and stylist’s styling ideas fresh from the show.

Image: Selina Lake 

Author and stylist Selina Lake‘s picture-perfect greenhouse creation has wowed thousands of visitors descending on London’s Chelsea Flower Show, creating a stand that celebrates colour, as the team officially launched the M&L x Alitex paint collection at the show.

With celebrity fans like Mary Berry, Lorraine Kelly and radio DJ Jo Whiley and capturing the show judges’ attention, it was no surprise that the Alitex greenhouse was presented with a 5-star award.

Selina commented: “I have absolutely loved being part of the team this year, on what has literally been my dream styling commission. Whenever I think about the world’s best horticultural show, I always think about the pure celebration of nature, plants and of course wonderful blooming flowers so these, along with some of styling ideas from my 9 best-selling Home & Garden books ideas sparked my initial inspiration for this styling project.”

We picked Selina’s brains for some her top greenhouse styling tips that we can emulate at home.

Upcycle

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Update tired items such as old chairs, metal furniture or plant pots by adding a pop of colour from the new Alitex Paint Collection by M&L Paints.

Transform a simple bench

Image: Julia Currie Photography

A simple bench can be turned into a sumptuous day bed with a mass of comfy cushions.

Flower arranging

Image: Julia Currie Photography

You can’t go wrong when displaying blooms if from the start you take cues from nature. Foxgloves and ferns, for example, often grown together in light shade. Add branches from shrubs or trees to keep your arrangements wild and interesting.

Embrace entemology

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Entomology, or the study of insects, is the new Botanical trend, which is great as it highlights the importance of bees and insects. Get the look by having a go at drawing bugs on greenhouse windows using a chalk pen.

Handmade bunting

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Photocopy pages of an insect study book and cut into flag shapes which can then be threaded onto string for an easy Entomology DIY bunting garland.

Natural materials

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Get the Natural Living look in line with environmental issues and forgo plastic items for furniture and accessories made from natural materials such as metals, rattan and bamboo.

Display prints

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Add prints and posters in frames or clipped to bare walls and use a wire washing line for another display.

Mix and match chairs

Image: Julia Currie Photography

For an interesting table mix painted chairs with vintage ones chosen purely for their aged patina and add vases of freshly picked garden flowers to celebrate all things RHS Chelsea.

Add personality

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Add the unexpected – give your space some personality with neon lights and decorative glass pendant lights or unusual finds which inspire you.

Add a well placed mirror

Image: Julia Currie Photography

Reflect the garden beyond with a well-placed mirror, which will also bounce more light around your plot.

 

Weaving the collection of shades throughout the stand, the new palette of 15 colours in the Alitex Collection for M&L Paints will match, contrast and complement the most loved Alitex greenhouse and has the potential to transform a trellis, upgrade your garage and add a flourish to your garden furniture.

 

Make sure you grab a copy the August issue of Good Homes, with the cover styled by garden stylist Selina Lake.

 

What are your greenhouse goals for this summer? Tweet us @goodhomesmag or post a comment on our Facebook page.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

IKEA x Tom Dixon at Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Easy garden ideas from Chelsea Flower Show 

More garden inspiration