Austin Design Works

26/05/2026

Planning a listed building project? A pre-app could save you time, money and stress later on.

Early discussions with planning and conservation officers help identify issues before designs are fixed, creating a smoother planning process and a stronger proposal overall.

We recently worked with on a listed property in Cranham (not this property pictured), using the pre-app stage to refine the design through constructive collaboration, resulting in a positive response and a solid foundation for the next stage.

Every heritage building is different. Taking the time to understand it properly at the start can make all the difference.

Austin Design Works

24/05/2026

We hope you’re having a lovely bank holiday and enjoying the sunshine? Rachael is spending all her spare time potting plants for the Artisan Woodland Craft Garden that she has designed for Badminton Flower Show 🌺

We’ll be sharing lots more in the run up to the show, including all the people involved behind the scenes making this glorious garden come alive. But for now we’ll leave Rachael to her potting on!

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23/05/2026

A huge thank you to the wonderful staff at the Blue Diamond Garden Centre in Nailsworth for going the extra mile to process their donation to R***in Mill Trust and the Badminton Show Garden.

Every little plant helps bring the garden to life, and today we picked out beautiful honeysuckles and roses. 🌹✨

If you’re local and looking for some Bank Holiday inspiration, they’re open all weekend, do pop in as they have the most beautiful plants in stock amongst everything else to make your garden beautiful.

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21/05/2026

We’re just one month away from breaking ground for the Artisan Woodland Craft Garden, and there’s so much happening behind the scenes.

Be sure to grab your tickets, as we can’t wait to share the incredible work of the R***in Mill Trust, alongside our local woodlands, traditional crafts, and the people who keep these skills and spaces thriving.

20/05/2026

This beautiful home, designed by Matthew Austin, makes the most of its stunning scenic location. At its heart is a bespoke ash staircase, which serves as the home’s central feature, creating striking architectural lines throughout the space while allowing natural light to flow beautifully through the design.

13/05/2026

07/05/2026

Rachael visited today and received some inspiration and advice from Gold garden winner, RHS best in show & RHS Environmental Innovator Ian McBain, ahead of creating her show garden for RHS Badminton.

Do visit RHS Malvern and take time to wander around the show gardens as they provide so much inspiration. Ian’s garden ‘ONE’ is a contemporary garden design with sustainability at its core. Created for a single person, it celebrates the garden as a calm, restorative sanctuary and creative space that nurtures plants and wellbeing. We loved the planting and the sustainable bricks ‘K-Briqs’ (made from 95% construction waste) that provided colour and visual interest into the garden.
The garden was designed by and built by .paving

The other garden we loved was another gold winner, ‘Lifted by birds’ by Tom Saunders of Skylark Garden Design, absolutely gorgeous planting and design, especially as it features a myriad of different habitats!

More to follow…

05/05/2026

Last month we have begun work on an exciting project near Gloucester, a sixteenth century farmhouse. As Matthew peels by the layers, what will he find l? And how will he and the team solve any challenges that arise? Whilst they sympathetically restore and turn the property into a beautiful family home.

We’ll keep you updated on his journey.

04/05/2026

Thinking with a pen...

04/05/2026

R***i Mill Artisan Wodland Craaft Garden progress.