At Chelsea Flower Show this year I’ll be presenting the brand new pots that we’ve designed for Torc Pots along with In-Lite Global; that’s something we’re really looking forward to…”
Erwin Stam
Garden designer Erwin Stam is based in between both Rotterdam and Amsterdam and has clients all over the Netherlands and around the world. Erwin starts any new project by gaining an understanding of what ‘the outdoors’ means to his client and then translates this concept into an inviting and timeless space that conveys a sense of comfort and peace. His unique approach results in an exclusive design with a recognisable signature; a design that becomes more beautiful with the passage of time. Erwin believes that for a design to succeed, the outdoor space has to complement the interior of the home – the two have to relate to one another other – and he creates a sense of place that just feels ‘just right’. Taking both the architecture and the history of the property into consideration, Erwin produces gardens that are perfectly in tune with their surroundings – multi-layered designs that incorporate and balance both nature and culture…
C&B: “Erwin, lovely to liaise with you in the run up to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and congratulations on being one of our TOP 10 GARDEN DESIGNERS of 2024. How would you describe your style?”
ES: “I’d describe my style as ‘timeless’ as for each project I produce a totally different and original design that improves over the years. My clients want a place to relax and enjoy, they like lots of green in the garden, and they also like to have plenty comfortable ‘living space’…”
My transparent and down-to-earth approach stems from my background; I grew up in natural surroundings and inherited a love of nature, plants and garden history from several generations of my family… as a child, I would pore over my grandfather’s books and magazines about international gardens and flower shows…”
Erwin Stam
C&B: “How big is your team, what is each team member responsible for and do you, as a company, get involved in any outside collaborations?”
ES: “We have an in-house team of five working on various elements – including 3D design, storytelling, animation, planting schemes and movie production – and, of course, we work together with a number of selected partners in the realisation of the gardens – this includes gardeners, carpenters, builders, light specialists, etc. For many years I’ve been collaborating with Inlite Global, which is the global market leader of Dutch brand of garden lights; I also have a relationship with Mobilane Global, which is market leader in ready-to-use green fences; Ebben Trees Cuijck – market leader of Dutch tree nurseries which operates internationally. In Holland, I work a lot together with interior designer Lotte Faassen x Studio de Blieck, I find we have the perfect collaboration between interior and exterior design…”
Before I started my career in garden design, I worked within Recruitment and HR and was, among other things, involved in the selection for the diplomatic training programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2005, I followed my heart and set up Erwin Stam Tuinstudio…”
Erwin Stam
C&B: “Do you remember who your first ever client was? And what has been your favourite project since – where do you like to work?”
ES: “My first design job was a compact pool-garden design for a nice family with two kids in Dordrecht. My favourite project so far was last autumn when I was in Key West – which I really liked because of the ‘can do’ mentality of the Americans and also the opportunity to work with tropical plants. In Europe, we currently have projects on the Spanish mainland and also in Ibiza, I like the way of living there, of course – in comparison to my own rainy home country of Holland! Also, Portugal is nice because of the beautiful nature… however, there are still so many countries where I’d like to create gardens because I do enjoy exploring new worlds…”
C&B: “Because of your Dutch heritage, many of our readers may assume that gardens and landscaping come naturally to you – is this so, and which are your personal favourite plants and flowers?”
ES: “My father and grandfather each had a plant nursery so the love for green was part of my education! I’m in favour of natural plants with soft green and grey colours; I like to create evergreen backdrops to every garden I design and combine that with lush green borders that evolve during every season – which isn’t always easy, by the way!”
C&B: “I can imagine it takes a lot of skill and effort to create the finished effect – which gardens are you most proud of having produced?”
ES: “I can’t say as I appreciate all of our projects and clients, however it does make me very happy when a client is as involved in the design process to the same degree as we are ourselves… and I like to create a unique and highly personalised ‘green world’ each and every time for my clients.”
One of my most recent projects was in the U.S.A. – Key West, Miami. Right now, I have design projects in Spain and I’m also working on the outdoor space of a luxury shopping centre in Switzerland. In the UK, I would loooove to design a garden in the Cotswolds as I like that part of England so much! My dream project would be to create a garden for Harry Styles – I already have a design concept ready!”
Erwin Stam
C&B: “Final question, Erwin – who or what most inspires your work?”
ES: “I’m inspired by fashion, the work of interior designers and travelling to other cultures… what do I think is the most important aspect of my work: Happy clients, wonderful projects, opportunities and of course creating green beauty! In the Netherlands, I’ve designed many gardens and roof terraces for famous Dutch media professionals including a lovely actress and her family, a singer, a comedian, a fashion designer, and many others high profile individuals, over the past years. Last year, we finished a roof terrace project for Bram Krikke and his lovely girlfriend – Bram is Holland’s most talented DJ and media personality; it was really fun working together. But, for me, there’s no difference between famous or non-famous clients, it’s all about the pleasure of working and creating together…”
WEBSITE: http://www.erwinstam-tuinstudio.com
*Erwin Stam regularly appeared as a guest on the Dutch television show ‘Eigen Huis & Tuin’, contributing to the programme as one of the ten most inspiring garden designers in the Netherlands. He presents at international shows such as the Flower & Garden Festival in Istanbul, MiNiATURE in Amsterdam and the Beijing Garden Festival, and his gardens are featured in magazines such as VT Wonen, Tuinontwerp, Eigen Huis & Interieur, ELLE Wonen, TUINSeizoen, Home and Garden and Groei & Bloei.
