Bringing Works of Art into Garden Design – with Imogen Perreau and Gorringe’s

A Special Selection of Garden Antiques and Decorative Objects

Award-winning Sussex based garden designer Imogen Perreau has joined forces with Gorringe’s Oliver Searle to curate a special selection of garden furniture and statuary for our upcoming sale on 2 June. Drawing on Imogen's expertise in creating outdoor spaces that balance beauty, story and character, she shares her tips on how to incorporate ornaments into the garden, and why these timeless pieces can make all the difference.

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Oliver Searle and Imogen Perreau seated on metal chairs in a garden

Works of art, antiques and furniture don’t just belong in our homes. Step into the garden and you’ll find they can bring texture, its owner’s individuality and a real sense of place in their natural surroundings. From moss covered statues to lichen softened benches, striking and naturally weathered garden ornaments and furniture can bring just as much impact as a well curated interior.

Here are a few guiding principles for using pieces bought at auction in garden design.

Let patina tell the story

Where others see wear, the discerning collector sees charm. A teak garden table and chairs can feel as though it has always been part of the landscape, softened by time and the seasons. This can also be the case for a cast iron bench, with its aged paint, far from diminishing the quality, patina can enhance it.

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Metal chair and bench with stone sundial in garden setting

Find focal points

A carefully placed ornament can really help to anchor a garden. Think of an animal statue or an old garden barrow surrounded by terracotta pots. These pieces don’t just decorate a garden, they help to lead the eye and provide interest.

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Two stone urns in garden setting

Embrace the unexpected

Works of art, antiques and furniture in the garden are often unique pieces with a history and can therefore surprise and delight. A bold classical form, doubling up as a fountain head can really help shape a garden’s character and add a little playfulness.

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Sculpture of head surrounded by snakes against a garden wall

Contrast and complement

Let aged surfaces stand against soft, naturalistic planting. Ornamental grasses, ferns and wildflowers highlight the solidity and sculptural presence of garden ornaments and furniture, creating a balance of textures that feels timeless.

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Wooden table with six chairs in garden setting

Let time work its magic

Don’t be afraid to leave these treasured pieces outside. Metals will oxidise, lichen will grow, surfaces will soften and in doing so, each piece will feel more rooted in the landscape, as though it has always been there.

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Wooden table and chairs in garden setting

These and many other garden antiques and decorative objects will feature in our upcoming sale on 2 June at Gorringe’s Lewes auction room. To view the standout items selected by Imogen in this article and many more, please go to the sale catalogue.