How to Design & Build a 5-Star Chelsea Flower Show Trade Stand

Tommy and I were over the moon when we were contacted by Rhino Greenhouses to help them build and design their first ever Chelsea Flower Show trade stand. Their hopes were to create a stand that would showcase their greenhouse whilst creating the feeling of a real life coastal garden, something that the viewing public could replicate in their own gardens.

Our clients wanted to incorporate a touch of the Norfolk coast with varying materials and coastal plants. Read more about the inspiration behind it here!

I got to work drawing out the design...........

I wanted to ensure the trade stand flowed well, providing walkways in and around the green house, a staged greenhouse, water, fire, and a seating area where customers could discuss the product with the team, along with a coastal planting scheme to tie it all together.

It's important to think about practicality when designing a trade stand, RHS will want to see safe and easy access in and out of your stand, a product showcased correctly, well thought out materials, a good planting scheme and on top of this something that looks beautiful!

Take a look at what we came up with....

Tide & Time

Designed by Rea & Tommy (Rose Hill Luxury Gardens) built by Rose Hill Luxury Gardens

Our team was amazing, we were so proud of how the team worked together. The attention to detail was second to none and they ensured that the design was executed perfectly, we couldn't be prouder of what they achieved.

The time spent on the design, the dedication and craftsmanship of the team all paid off when we were handed 5 stars on judging day, the perfect end to an amazing experience at Chelsea Flower Show 2023.

Q&A with Tommy

(Director of Rose Hill Luxury Gardens)

Tommy project managed the entire build ensuring the deadlines were reached each day so the stand was ready for judging day, here he shares with us his Chelsea experience.

• Tommy, what was your favourite stage of the whole experience?

  Judging day, although it was very nerve racking, it was such a moment to be awarded with 5 stars and take a moment to step back and look at what we had achieved as a team.

• Did you have any difficulties during the build process?

  Delivery logistics is the biggest hurdle at Chelsea, it's very chaotic and you really have to make sure everything is planned out properly. One of our materials (the crushed shell) arrived just in the nick of time, having been damaged during transport. But we got it at the last minute and it all worked out well.

• Would you have changed anything about the design now looking back?

  No, we were really happy with the design and how much we incorporated into such a small space.

• What was your favourite part of the design?

  I really loved the reclaimed planks which we used to create the effect of a beach walkway, and we decided to carry that path through into the greenhouse itself which really worked well.

• What was the hardest stage of the build?

  Alot of the stands use prefabricated decking and boundaries, we custom built ours on site so this had its challenges.

• What have you learnt, taken away from Chelsea 2023?

  You need an amazing team with you, our team were complete professionals and such perfectionists and this topped with their enthusiasm and can-do attitudes made the dream a reality.

• Are you looking forward to next time?

  Yes, we can't wait and we have already started planning ao watch this space!

Now we leave you with a selection of some of our favourite behind the scenes photos.

With special thanks to

• Plans for Plants - Planting Plan

• Weather It - Bespoke Corteen Seating/Features

• Hudson Lighting

• Landscape Plus

• Stone Warehouse