GHS Spaces

What is GHS and why Spaces?

GHS, quite simply, are my initials: George Hughes-Stanton. I trained at the Oxford College of Garden Design.

I am a designer of gardens and landscapes as well as an enthusiastic tinkerer in bikes, cars and woodwork amongst other practical hobbies and pursuits. I was born in Hampshire and now live in Bristol, United Kingdom.

Why Spaces?

Since leaving formal education at eighteen, I have pretty much said yes to all types and any kind of work which has come my way. I didn't take the usual university route and so I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my career. I started out working with and learning from family and friends across many different trades and that is where my interest was sparked in making, mending and in understanding spaces, whether it be rooms, gardens or houses. All alongside a generally inquisitive mind.

Over the years, I've been lucky to learn from, and alongside, some very talented people across a wide range of trades, backgrounds and approaches. I have also converted two vans to campers, helped to build two houses and spent time on many, many garden sites, and now I am lucky enough to be given the chance to design them.

From all these varied techniques, trades and learning styles, I have tried to draw a little from each when creating and designing gardens. I've broken this down further on my Approach page where I explain the values behind how and why I design.

In short, that's why it's spaces rather than gardens. It's my background in making and understanding all sorts of other spaces that's shaped the way I now design gardens: considered, well structured, and built to last.

This website isn't just about me but is a showcase of everything I've learned from people and the people who make these spaces what they are.

Thank you for reading this, I hope it clears things up.