Comfort & Joy No.13 - An Interview with Sophie Strutt
Photography by Annabella Daughtry
Sophie Strutt; Daughter-in-Law to Christina, Wife to Edward, Cabbages & Roses model and muse, landscape gardener, artist and sculptor…but most importantly Mama to Frankie and Bobbie.
Sophie designed the most beautiful garden at Sydney Street for Chelsea Flower show week and you can see more of her work on her website, www.sophiestruttgardens.com
YOU & EDWARD BOTH WORK CREATIVELY WITH NATURE, DO YOU ENCORPORATE THOSE SKILLS INTO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?
Yes, I feel as though working with plants and gardening is a way of life for me. It gives me head space to be a calmer mother to my children! And lets me be creative at the same time. This complements the other aspects of my life and the daily routine that you have with children.
WHERE DID YOU MEET EDWARD?
I met Edward through a friend, a former boyfriend in fact…it was love at first site. For me anyway!
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK WITH NATURE?
Yes, I have always loved being in woods or feeling close to nature in other landscapes, especially by the sea. I have also always wanted to make beautiful things.
IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE CABBAGES & ROSES IN A SENTENCE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Exquisite clothes and fabrics smothered in roses and flowers that make everyone that wears them or is near them feel special and beautiful.
HOW OLD ARE FRANKIE & BOBBIE?
Franky is 6 and Bobbie is 2.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I grew up in Bath.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE DAY?
The morning when I feel fresh and full of energy for a new day.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVOURITE FLOWER?
So hard! It's between apple blossom and wisteria.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT GARDENING?
Getting my hands dirty and being close to the earth. It makes me feel utterly grounded.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE GARDENING OUTFIT?
Cabbages and roses dungarees!
CAN YOU GIVE US A GARDENING TIP?
Everyone should grow plants! It makes you feel good. Growing things in pots is a great way to start. Herbs are invaluable in a garden, my favourite pots in my garden are lollipop bay trees either side of our front door, with prostrate rosemary that trails underneath them. So I have herbs for cooking just outside the door whenever I need them. And they're extremely low maintenance.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR?
Turquoise, the colour of the sea.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
Respiro. An Italian film set in the stunning scenery of Sardinia.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
The Magic Apple Tree by Susan Hill.
WHAT/WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
At the moment I would say it is Jeremy's pond near where we live. It is an enchanting place- a large pond with an island in the middle where ducks live. It has Rhododendron trees surrounding it, of many different colours - pink, orange, lilac and red with woodland surrounding that. Around the pond there are large patches of giant hogweed some of which are nearly as tall as the smaller trees.
It is so wild there it feels like a forgotten landscape. It is special and secret. A wonderful place to go and lose yourself. And find yourself again.