I love the way small, enclosed city gardens can be transformed with furniture; they become their own little world. The focal point for this was the pergola rented from Raj Tent Company which fitted (squeezed!) into the back of the garden. With its hot pink ceiling and ombre curtains, the colours for the rest of the furniture all stemmed from this: from the leather poufs to the cushions.

These were the biggest arrangements I've ever done. The conclusion: you need a lot more than you might think! The recipe was: grasses, green bells and mint for foliage. Ammi, astrantia and nigella for fillers. Delphiniums, spirea, campanula and stocks for height. Then garden roses and the last of the peonies for my heroes.

When creating a garden party like this, I always try to ensure there are different areas to sit and types of chair too - some low cushions with rugs and some more formal seating. We brought lots of our indoor furniture outside; the whole set-up felt like an extension of the house.

Credits

Furniture and pergola: Raj Tent Club
Parasols: East London Parasol Company
Pink table: Sophie Conran
Pink check tablecloth: Summerill & Bishop
Floristry: Rosanna
Dress: Needle & Thread
Photography: Marcus Dawes