All About Design - An Interior Design Podcast · Susan Parsons

Series 2 - Episode 2 - The Forgotten Room; Adding Value through Garden Design - With Dani King

·50 min·4 clips

Dani King reveals how COVID made people see their gardens as vital extensions of their homes.

This episode features host Sarah and guest Dani King, a UK-based garden designer who transitioned from a corporate career to establish her own international design business. They explore how gardens function as valuable extensions of the home, focusing on design integration and property value. Dani King explains that the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally shifted how people view and use their gardens, treating them as essential living spaces. Her design process begins with a detailed client consultation to understand needs, usage patterns, and the desired experience both in the garden and from inside the house. She emphasizes creating a cohesive flow between interior and exterior spaces, which can include distinct zones for different moods or activities. For small gardens, she recommends prioritizing a dedicated seating area, strategic planting, and the use of mirrors to enhance the sense of space. Key practical considerations include planning for maintenance levels, integrating lighting and internet connectivity, and incorporating wildlife-friendly elements like food, water, and shelter. A surprising insight is her recommendation to avoid placing furniture directly next to large patio doors, suggesting planting as a buffer to bring nature closer to the house. She advocates for the "three, five, seven" planting rule to create professional-looking, rhythmic borders rather than using one of every plant. Dani reveals that a well-designed garden is a significant financial investment but adds substantial value to a property by effectively increasing its usable square meterage. For quick curb appeal, she advises tidying, painting fences, and adding evergreen shrubs with varied textures and heights. The conversation is educational and conversational, flowing from practical advice to broader design philosophy. The tone is enthusiastic and informative, rooted in Dani King's extensive personal and professional experience. Homeowners considering a garden project or seeking to maximize their property's potential would find this episode highly valuable. Listeners with no outdoor space or no interest in property value might find the specific applications less relevant.

As heard by us

A practical reminder that a well-considered garden can complete the house.

The episode presents the garden as the part of a house that often gets left unfinished, and it makes a solid case for exterior design working alongside interiors to lift curb appeal.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if your garden feels like a missed opportunity.

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