WHERE GARDENS MEET SOUL, STYLE AND SUSTAINABILITY

A CONVERSATION WITH ASTER GARDEN DESIGN

Swedish Aster Garden Design creates outdoor environments with care, aesthetic clarity and lasting character. This is where function meets dream – where each garden reflects its owner’s personality, the essence of the house, and the rhythm of nature. We spoke with the founder Jennie Strinnhed about their garden philosophy, Scandinavian design values and how the right furniture can transform a space into something poetic.

Tell us briefly about Aster Garden design and your philosophy.
Our philosophy is that a garden should reflect the taste of the owner, enhance the architecture of the house, and blend into its surroundings – ideally with the smallest possible climate footprint. For us, the journey from idea to finished garden is just as important as the final result. We aim to create living, personal, and sustainable spaces that feel natural and authentic.

You often use Skargaarden furniture in your projects – what is it that you appreciate about our furniture?
Skargaarden’s outdoor furniture is both beautiful and functional. They are light, easy to place, and incredibly comfortable to sit or lie in. The timeless design means they fit seamlessly into many different types of gardens – from classic to contemporary. And the quality is excellent, which is key in our sustainability thinking.

How do you design a garden that’s both an experience and a place for rest?
It’s about not showing everything at once. A garden becomes more interesting when the eye is guided – when you discover things gradually. The rhythm of the rooms, the contrast between openness and enclosure – that’s what makes a space come alive. Generous planting, natural materials and limited hard surfaces create harmony. A seating area in the evening sun, with a view of a beautiful focal point, maybe a flowering shrub, a piece of art or a fire pit – becomes a place to return to. Then there’s the magic of the extras: a tree as a canopy, the scent of lavender or honeysuckle, a lantern or candlelight.

How do you see furniture and interiors interacting with gardens where sustainability, greenery and natural materials are central?
Furniture often defines a space and clarifies its intended use. A deep, inviting lounge sofa signals evening relaxation, while two simple chairs and a table in the east suggest a spot for early morning coffee. Furniture, pots and accessories really are the finishing touches. In our design process, we always “furnish” the garden early on – to understand flow, movement, levels, blank walls, and especially lighting- and power needs. To us, sustainability means quality. We recommend starting with fewer, well-made pieces and adding more over time. Repair what breaks, resell if you grow tired of it, and buy second-hand when possible. That’s just how we think.

How do you approach choosing furniture based on a client’s lifestyle – and how do you make sure it harmonizes with the character of the site?
We always ask to visit the client’s home, it helps us quickly pick up on their style and preferences. If the house hasn’t been built yet, we ask for a clear brief, often via Pinterest, along with architectural drawings and material choices. We always start with the client, then guide the design toward what suits the house and garden best. Sometimes we show two style directions, like a recent proposal where we presented modern furniture and a wrought-iron railing versus wicker chairs and white wooden cross-rail. Same terrace, completely different feel. “Low maintenance” is a recurring wish. If the seating area is far from the house, we often suggest wrought-iron furniture that can stay outdoors year-round.

Which design features do you think every well-considered, timeless garden should have – and what’s always worth investing in?
A seating area under a pergola or some kind of canopy is always a great investment. It creates an intimate, cosy atmosphere – even without a lot of greenery. If the pergola is located away from the house, we love versions with adjustable roofs that can close tightly when needed. Beyond that: use natural stone. Skip all forms of concrete. Use just the right amount of stone in just the right places – and let plants weave through. It’s good for everyone, and a truly sustainable trend.

What role does Scandinavian design play in your work – in terms of form, materials, and the feeling you want to create?
We strive for naturalness wherever possible. But ultimately, it’s mostly about the character of the house and site – and the client’s needs, wishes, dreams and, of course, budget. That’s where we start, and from there we shape both the visual language and material choices.

What do you want people to feel when they step into their finished garden – and how can the right furniture enhance that feeling?
We want people to feel at home. To take care of their garden and their things and, above all, to enjoy them. There should be room for a little imperfection, a few weeds. Only then do you have time to actually sit in that cosy lounge corner with a book. Every time we come home to our own garden, we think: “Ahh, can you believe we get to live here?” It feels like a luxury. (Although that quiet moment with the book… not always easy to find.)

Your own garden has inspired many – tell us about your thoughts on furniture, materials and the overall feeling you’ve created.
Our garden has grown from two things: a lack of privacy – and a dream of a meandering, secret path. We’ve worked with creating rooms, which makes the space feel larger. It’s full of romantic touches: portals, climbing plants, and slightly too-wild borders in poor soil. Instead of straight hedge lines, our hedges curve and wander, shaping the garden into soft, organic rooms. The only part that was actually drawn in advance is the pool area. The rest evolved gradually based on the trees and terrain we found when we bought the house 20 years ago. I, Jennie, try to keep the pool area more modern (though I’m always tempted to add a clematis…). We’re planning to add a water feature, and hopefully an outdoor kitchen too. Furniture-wise, it’s an eclectic mix – from sleek sun loungers to 40-year-old deck chairs and the classic, functional folding Viken chairs that aren’t too heavy. We also built a sunken, built-in bench that we matched to the cushions (or maybe the other way around). It’s a great spot to hide from the biting sea wind from the Baltic and where we love to gather with family and friends.

You help others realise their garden dreams – but what do you dream of when it comes to the future of gardens and outdoor living?
We dream of getting involved earlier in the process – ideally at the house-building stage. That way, more trees can be preserved, natural slopes respected, and the design truly shaped by the site itself. We believe in a future where design and sustainability go hand in hand. Less excavation, more living soil. More working with what’s already there. That kind of approach doesn’t just make projects more sustainable, it makes them more creative.

We love the growing trend of mixing reclaimed stone with wild planting, a more bohemian, playful garden style. That’s the kind of future we’re excited about.

And finally – what does your perfect summer evening in the garden look like?
For us, it’s a laid-back, spontaneous evening with the neighbours. We start with an Aperol in the sunken sofa, then fire up the grill – with homegrown vegetables, some chicken, maybe a tomato tart with fragrant basil. When it gets chilly, we move into the glass veranda, light candles and stay up until it’s suddenly morning again and the birds are awake. Then I take our dog Bosse out and crush a few snails with my clogs