The Art of Display: Our Curated Chelsea Flower Show Stand with Lucinda Sanford

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Where Art, Florals and Interiors Meet

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has come to a close, and we are delighted to look back on a truly inspiring week celebrating the very best in horticulture, craftsmanship and creativity. Our team at Gladwell and Patterson all love the buzz of Chelsea and working alongside a dynamic group of people, from the specialists in the Grand Pavilion, the designers on main avenue or the many volunteers raising money and awareness for great charities. 

This year’s show was underpinned by several themes; sustainability, wellbeing and technological innovation which designers embraced with renewed conviction. From breathtaking show gardens – most notably Cha No Niwa, the Japanese Tea Garden by Kazuyuki Ishihara, which was awarded Best in Show – to immersive floral installations and pioneering sustainability initiatives, this year's event provided visitors with an inspiring journey through the ever-evolving world of horticulture and design.

Gladwell and Patterson are pleased to offer an exclusive look into the creative process behind our 2025 stand, brought to life in collaboration with esteemed interior designer Lucinda Sanford – a partnership that beautifully highlights our shared passion for harmony and elegance in art and design. This thoughtfully conceived space blended classical and contemporary artworks with refined interiors. Lucinda’s instinctive understanding of proportion, texture and tonal rhythm created a setting in which each painting could sing. Antique furniture, elegantly worn textiles and richly layered planting courtesy of Hicks & Hart provided the perfect foil for our fine art, creating a space that felt both timeless and personal. Positioned at the Bull Ring Entrance of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, every element of our stand was carefully considered, all working together to evoke a sense of calm sophistication. Lucinda's curation extended beyond the visual, evoking the feeling of stepping into a lived-in interior where garden and gallery coexist, inviting visitors to pause, explore and reflect. Her signature restraint – never overly styled, always considered – brought depth and warmth to our display, inviting visitors to linger, reflect and connect. Lucinda’s design vision provided a beautiful canvas for our collection of paintings.

At the heart of our display was a selection of works that celebrated both tradition and innovation. From luminous landscape paintings to evocative still lifes, each piece was chosen not only for its painterly skill and quality but also for how perfect it looked in the setting around it. A bespoke Fromental wallcovering from the Spring Fever collection served as a captivating backdrop, intricately hand-painted with English florals and printed on a soft blue paper ground, many of which were echoed in the surrounding planting and celebrated in the main show tent. This beautifully detailed design feature set the tone for a space that felt both refined and rooted in nature. At the heart of the stand, a contemporary dining room arrangement demonstrated how trees and greenery can be thoughtfully integrated into interior spaces, blurring the boundary between indoors and out. Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the design. All wall panels were created to be fully removable and reusable, enabling us to transport and reinstall them at art fairs across the UK and internationally – taking a little piece of Chelsea with us wherever we go. 

Lucinda Sanford Design worked closely with several fellow exhibitors at the show to bring the space to life, creating a unique opportunity for collaboration. The design cleverly incorporated products from brands such as Club Matters, Chesneys, Unnatural Flooring, Corston and Little Greene, offering each supplier a chance to showcase their craftsmanship in a complementary setting.

In consequence, the stand itself became a talking point, not just for its aesthetic elegance, but for its demonstration of how art can enhance and elevate interior spaces. It was a joy to speak with collectors, designers and friends of the gallery about the role of art in the home, and to share the stories behind the works on view. From the initial concept discussions to the final installation, her vision was instrumental in shaping an environment that felt both refined and deeply personal. Lucinda’s approach was grounded in the belief that art should not only be admired, but lived with, forming part of a cohesive and beautiful whole.

Meet the Artists Behind Our Live Painting Studio

One of the most engaging elements of our presence at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is our live studio – an inviting corner at the end of our stand where visitors can witness creativity unfolding. Throughout the week, we were joined by a group of exceptionally talented artists and sculptors, whose work embodies the essence of our gallery: brilliant technique, sensitivity to the natural world and a commitment to beauty in all its forms. Visitors were captivated as brush met canvas and clay took shape before their eyes. The studio became a hub of conversation and curiosity, with artists generously sharing insights into their creative process.  It is often by meeting an artist that collectors feel an added connection to the artworks or sculptures. 

This year, the studio was animated by a variety of talents. Among them was Peter van Breda, whose atmospheric cityscape came to life in gentle layers of oil paint, capturing the essence of place with a painterly, light-filled touch. Adding a sculptural dimension to the studio, Edward Waites modelled his dynamic Boxing Hares in clay – his skill and energy drawing fascinated onlookers throughout the day. His work, rooted in classical technique yet charged with vitality. Completing the line-up was Ollie Tuck, whose vibrant still lifes transform everyday objects into richly coloured, patterned compositions. Her joyful style and attention to detail invited visitors to see beauty in the ordinary, echoing the floral abundance of the show itself. You can follow Ollie’s creative journey and watch the progress of the two paintings she worked on live at the stand by visiting her Instagram @ollietuckart. We would also like to warmly thank Martin Taylor and Stewart Lees for joining us and sharing their talent throughout the show; we are proud to host these wonderful people and deeply grateful for the energy and brilliance they brought to our Chelsea showcase.

With Gratitude

As we dismantle our stand and carefully wrap each painting for the journey to a new home, we do so with gratitude – for the warmth of returning clients and the joy of new encounters. What fun was shared on our special early morning business breakfasts before the crowds, the buzz and bustle of the day or the relaxed feel of the after-hours parties, we hope all who joined us had a ball. We are extremely grateful to our friend, Chris Young, a garden designer and leading voice in the gardening world for the RHS Garden magazine. Despite writing several books, including the RHS Encyclopaedia of Garden Design and Take Chelsea Home, Chris generously found the time to share his expertise and knowledge with our Gladwell & Patterson's visitors through his special guided tours. Keep an eye on our platforms as we'll be sharing exclusive snippets from these tours – offering those unable to attend a chance to experience Chris's Chelsea expertise and gain a deeper understanding of the gardens at this year's show.

For the conversations sparked, and the opportunity to celebrate creativity in all its forms, our heartfelt thanks go to all who visited, and especially to Lucinda, whose thoughtful design brought depth and elegance to our presentation, transforming our space into something quietly extraordinary.

We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable support of our collaborators: Fromental for the custom-designed wallpaper; David Seyfried for bespoke furniture including the Sanford sofa and swivel Albion chairs; Ralph Lauren Home for upholstery; Chesneys for the fireplace; Samuel and Sons for exquisite trimmings; Hicks and Hart for the fabulous planting; Acres Farm for the fireplace fender; and Vaughan Designs for the elegant lighting.

Until next year, we hope you enjoy your homes, paintings, gardens and sculptures as much as we all do.