In My Shoes I LAURA CAREY
Laura Carey is a garden designer and co-founder of Carey Design Studio, which she runs with her husband, Joe Carey. In just five years, the studio has established itself as one of the most exciting names in contemporary garden design, winning three gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Known for designing naturalistic gardens with a soft, textural palette, Laura and Joe have become recognized for her refined and subtle use of colour. With a background in art and illustration, she brings an intuitive, highly considered aesthetic to her work, creating gardens that feel immersive, elegant and deeply atmospheric. Based in Norfolk, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters, Laura draws constant inspiration from the coastline and surrounding landscape. Follow @Careygardendesignstudio
How do you start your day?
I have two little ones so I get up before them at about 6:30am, sit in our living room and write in my prayer journal - even though its really small i find that it helps me be a better mum.
What is your fashion philosophy?
In recent years it's been about buying clothes that will last and are ethically made. I'm always busy so keeping having a wardobe that's limited and encourages me to wear what i own but also spending more on quality over quantity.
Can you share a styling trick with us? Or your top tip (fashion, life, anything)?
In my work, I work a lot with colour. I focus on the minute differences in colour to create cohesive palettes, and recently that’s made me think more about the colours that look good on me personally. I’ve started buying clothes in colours that really suit me and building more of a considered colour palette for myself — at the moment, I’m especially drawn to light blue.
What / who inspires you?
I’m inspired by beauty. One of my great passions is beauty, something I engage with all day long. Dressing well and feeling beautiful myself really helps. Creating beautiful spaces inspires me; beauty is life-giving.
How do you unwind?
When the kids have gone to bed, I like to do yoga and be by myself and have some me-time. I also funnily enough enjoy doing jigsaws, a recent one I've been enjoying recently!
If you could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
Off the back of the busy week, Somewhere in Greece indulging in some good food!
Can you tell us something you discovered recently?
I’ve recently discovered the beautiful pink Camassia — it’s so striking. It’s usually seen in blue or white, so finding it in pink felt really special.
What is the best part of your job?
Everything about my job is brilliant. I get to work with plants that are individually so beautiful, and curate them together to create something that’s beautiful as a whole. Before becoming a garden designer, I was an illustrator with a background in art and design, so I find it amazing to create art with something that’s living.
Which Rupert Sanderson shoes do you love this season?
I love the Marqoito and Silver Innis this season — all silver shoes are fabulous.
