PROJECTS » GLENFORSA CAFE AND FARM SHOP
THE BRIEF:
Glenforsa is a newly built café and farm shop situated on the shores of the Isle of Mull. The building features a contemporary farmhouse aesthetic with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, creating a welcoming and homely atmosphere. The interior boasts rustic farmhouse-style furniture and modern artworks, and the venue is designed to accommodate visitors year-round with full disabled access. The café and farm shop occupy the ground floor, with additional seating available upstairs.
We were approached by Burns Design, an interior design studio we have successfully collaborated with on various projects, to recommend planting solutions for both floors and the exterior. Our shared objective was to select and strategically place a variety of pots and plant species that would thrive in the local climate and enhance the visual appeal of the space.
In our initial discussions, Burns Design expressed their desire for abundant greenery throughout the upstairs, downstairs, and exterior areas. They envisioned planters in a rustic/farmhouse style arranged in groups of three, all in the same style and colour, with additional planters in alternative styles, shapes, and colours placed sporadically throughout the restaurant. We then developed a planting proposal, suggesting suitable pots and species for this environment while considering the budget.
THE SOLUTION:
To bring this vision to life, our team embarked on a journey to the Isle of Mull. This adventure began with a scenic drive through the Scottish countryside, followed by a ferry ride across the River Forsa to the island.
Interior
The planters used here are a natural beige color with a vertical rib and wide edge, contributing to a cohesive and sophisticated look. They are handmade from high-quality Fiberclay, a material that is almost visually indistinguishable from concrete. Despite their robust appearance, these planters are lightweight, making them easy to position and move as needed. They are also UV resistant, ensuring they maintain their appearance over time, and feature a realistic finish that adds a touch of natural beauty to the space.
Each planter was meticulously lined and fitted with our bespoke watering system, designed to ensure the longevity of the plants. This system provides consistent moisture, preventing both over- and under-watering, which can be detrimental to plant health. The final touch was a layer of Scottish stone cobbles over the soil, adding a beautiful and authentic finish that reflects the local landscape and heritage.
Exterior
The exterior of Glenforsa required planters that were capable of withstanding Scotland’s famously unpredictable weather. The chosen range of exterior planters are handmade, each with its own unique appearance, crafted from high-quality Polystone. These planters are lightweight yet durable, completely waterproof, and water-repellent. They are also frost and UV resistant, ensuring they can endure the harsh weather conditions while maintaining their integrity and appearance.
These planters were filled with a lush mix of hardy, evergreen plants, shrubs, and grasses, selected for their resilience and beauty. The mix includes taller and shorter shrubs in the larger pots, creating a dynamic and visually appealing arrangement that adds depth and texture to the outdoor space.
To further enhance the exterior seating area, we used custom-built troughs with a faux lead effect finish to line the perimeter. Each trough was filled with a wild mix of green hardy plants and shrubs such as Euonymus and Laurel, which provide a rich, evergreen backdrop. Heather and Photinia were added to introduce pops of color, ensuring the space remains vibrant and inviting throughout the seasons.
This combination of thoughtfully chosen plants and expertly crafted planters not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of Glenforsa but also ensures that the greenery will thrive in the local climate, providing a lasting, beautiful environment for visitors to enjoy.
THE RESULTS:
Drawing from the abundance of our island and the talent of its producers, Glenforsa is a celebration of slow, purposeful cooking and eating.
Having opened in April, Glenforsa is set to become a premier destination for those looking to enjoy the lush greenery and breathtaking views that can be found here this summer. Our selection of durable, high-quality planters and carefully chosen plant species ensures that the greenery will thrive in the local climate, enhancing the visual and atmospheric appeal of the space throughout the year.
“It was a pleasure working with Benholm on The Glenforsa café project. The communication was consistent throughout the design stages and the finished product of the internal and external planters looked incredible on site. This is one of many projects we have now specified Benholm for and would recommend them to other practices for future use!”
Rachel Burns, Burns Design
Have a hospitality project in mind?
At Benholm, we care about your customers’ experience as much as you do.
Our team are proud to have worked with interior designers to bring to life plant and floral designs for some of the Scotland’s most iconic and popular hospitality venues,
Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation planting proposal: mail@benholm.com
Have a hospitality project in mind?
At Benholm, we care about your customers’ experience as much as you do.
Our team are proud to have worked with interior designers to bring to life plant and floral designs for some of the Scotland’s most iconic and popular hospitality venues,
Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation planting proposal: mail@benholm.com
