After commissioning a beautiful sculpture from Christopher Hodges, our challenge was to create an informal outdoor entertainment space that complemented the new piece – with an aesthetic that could also be enjoyed from inside. Rather that overwhelm the centrepiece, we built on the courtyard’s already existing assets, which included a Cupressus hedge and sandstone paving, by using Chinese Elm to create a canopy over the space and imbue it with a sense of calm and intimacy. To build on this aesthetic, we commissioned each tree to be held within a custom made white fibreglass pot, enhancing their elegance through lighting which silhouettes the pots, up-lights the trees and illuminates the sculpture at night. The result is private, relaxed and artistic, a beautiful courtyard that complements the interior of the home and celebrates the new acquisition.