Investing in an exceptional-quality statement pot, paired with a plant that oozes ‘wow-factor’, is perhaps one of the wisest moves proud home owners can do to improve the front entrances of their dwellings according to owner of WG Outdoor Life, formerly known as WaterGarden Warehouse, Anna Stafford.
In partnership with her husband Matt, WG Outdoor Life started-out just under 20 years ago as a business mainly specialising in top-end water-features, however, over the years has evolved into a vast and lofty 1000sqm industrial-style showroom, filled with ‘outspiration’ from leading designer brands and some of Perth’s most unique range of pots, water features, vertical gardens, laser-cut wall art and screens, fire pits, statement plants and outdoor furniture, hand-picked by the pair from around the globe. “Our range is really extensive and we are constantly visiting and building-up relationships with suppliers to ensure the best standard of materials, especially for our pots. This means that they need to stand-up to our harsh climate and that’s something we consider really carefully,” says Ms Stafford. “It ultimately comes down to using the highest quality materials – cements, fiberglass, UV stabilisers, polyethylene and clays to create durable and unique colour pallets. We go to the factories, we study the manufacturing process and we see what’s good and what’s not,” says Ms Stafford. “With the change in season, now is a great time to be bold and do-away with any plants that have struggled to thrive over the winter months; instead, do one thing really, really well – find your style and something you love.
“Usually once a statement piece is established, a garden-theme tends to evolve around it”
The Osborne Park showroom is a haven for inspiration, and with that comes advice from an on-sight landscape designer, exterior stylist, tips and tricks from Anna and her team, as well as technical advice from Matt who is an expert in water feature and pond management. With names like Serralunga, Pietro Stoneware, LiteStone, Khilia, and Atlantis planters and water features, the range includes not only traditional pots, but contemporary lightweight and self-watering designs especially suited to apartments or smaller spaces “which won’t break the elevator”, says Ms Stafford. “Vertical gardens are a very popular feature for smaller gardens too, as they are not only spacesaving, but provide maximum green impact. We can offer all sorts of clever ideas to make an otherwise lacklustre outdoor area pop with greenery and life,” she says. WG Outdoor Life works alongside some of Perth’s top landscape designers, with some of their curations featured at Claremont Quarter, The Cottesloe Hotel, the newly refurbished Tradewinds Hotel in East Fremantle and inside the home of Ronnie and Georgia Cacere which was created especially for Channel 9’s current season of The Block.
Visit WG Outdoor Life at 12-14 Drake Street, Osborne Park, Monday to Saturday (9am – 5pm)