At Long Rake Spar, we’re proud to have played a meaningful role in the remarkable garden design titled “I’m Fine” by Kelly Rees of Divide and Conker Ltd. Created as a heartfelt exploration of mental health and the unseen reality of anxiety, this garden balances calm aesthetics with a deeper emotional undercurrent — and our aggregates helped bring that vision to life.
A Story Told Through Landscape Design
From the moment you enter, the garden invites serenity. Soft greens and whites are lifted by touches of pink — a colour carrying personal meaning for Kelly, referencing her breast cancer journey. But as you move deeper into the space, there’s a shift — a darker, more introspective atmosphere revealing the often-hidden burden of anxiety.
This journey is echoed in the materials and textures chosen throughout the design, including the aggregates we were proud to supply:
- Charcoal Slate 40mm: Used in the slate utility area, these dark, jagged shards reflect fragmentation — symbolic of not feeling whole. Their rich, broken texture adds emotional depth and visual drama to the rear of the garden.
- Flamingo Pebbles 20–50mm: With soft pinks, whites and greys, these decorative pebbles echo the outward calmness of the space. Placed subtly, they bring visual lightness and a tactile softness to contrast the garden’s more intense areas.
- Flamingo 14–20mm: This smaller sized decorative gravel adds cohesion and continuity to the palette. Its muted colours blend harmoniously with the rest of the garden, symbolising how appearances can mask what lies beneath.
Design with Meaning
From a mirror that invites self-reflection to a twisted hazel tree representing emotional tension, every element of “I’m Fine” carries symbolism. And while materials like slate and Flamingo Chippings and Flamingo Pebbles are often chosen for their aesthetics, in this garden, they carry emotional weight- helping to visualise internal struggles many live with, but few speak of.
A Garden That Gives Back
This garden isn’t just a design statement- it’s also a fundraiser for Mind, the mental health charity. Kelly’s work brings visibility to an invisible condition, and we’re honoured to support a project with such a powerful message at its heart.
At Long Rake Spar, we believe aggregates can do more than serve a function and that they can help tell a story. In “I’m Fine”, that story is one of strength, honesty, and hope.
Garden Designer: Kelly Rees, Divide and Conker Ltd.
Shown left: The garden won the Gold Medal—an incredible achievement.
Long Rake Spar Aggregates Used:
