Ilkley-based garden designer Melissa Morton, who celebrates 15 years in business this year, was awarded Best in Show for her show garden at this year’s Harrogate Spring Flower Show
How I spend my days
Most days I’m working from my studio in the centre of Ilkley, coordinating projects with my design assistant and collaborations with other garden designers. Running a garden design business requires wearing many different hats from designing and coordination projects to communicating with clients and landscape contractors. Many people assume I’m working outdoors but the majority of time is spent behind a computer! When not in the office, I meet up with other business owners and creatives at networking events. My eldest son is on a gap year before going to uni, so I try to meet up with him for a coffee during his break working long shifts at the local supermarket. My youngest son has taken up golf so there’s usually a few trips in the week to Skipton, Addingham or Ben Rhydding golf courses. Evenings are usually spent catching up with home activities and watching TV with my husband. I do try to go to the gym when I can, and I particularly love yoga.
Friday nights – cocktails or chill?
Most Fridays I meet my husband Antony at our favourite bar in Ilkley, Friends of Ham, straight from work. It’s a great way to finish off the week and start the weekend. It’s either a craft ale or my favourite glass of white wine alongside a pot of gordal olives and their toasted almonds. We leave before it gets too busy and home by 7pm for TV and a curry.
Saturday morning – Parkrun or papers?
I don’t have a set routine at the weekend, every Saturday is different but the common theme is catching up with the family. I try to make sourdough bread on a Saturday, it’s an art I’m still trying to craft. I’ve taken up knitting recently too, for a bit of mindfulness and relaxation. If I’m stuck I’ll pop over to Skipton to the knitting shop to give me a nudge in the right direction. Years ago Saturdays were spent taking my son to tennis, now it’s golf taxi with his friends!
Feeding time?
We spend a lot of time at home cooking meals. My favourite place for a flat white coffee is Toast House in Ilkley. It’s also the perfect place if I’ve missed breakfast – their coconut porridge or scrambled eggs on toast are lovingly prepared and will take me through most of the day. Family meals out are usually at the family run Italian, The Vine or Galo’s Kitchen, both in Ilkley. For take-aways Ashiana on Well’s Road is a real treat. Now that summer is here our mini pizza oven comes out whenever the weather allows. It’s great for getting the teens preparing those pizza bases and toppings. And they’re so much better at cooking them than me!
Retail therapy?
Tasty treats from Bettys in Ilkley. For clothing sometimes Covet in Ilkley, Toast in Harrogate or alternatively the charity shops in Ilkley are great for those one off special bargains of well made classics.
Saturday night perfection?
Ilkley Cinema is an independent cinema and very cosy, so convenient for a relaxing night out with a glass of wine. Otherwise we hunker down and stream on the TV.
Sunday relaxation?
We do try to have a family meal on a Sunday with our boys, usually a roast and a home baked dessert. There’s a great yoga session at the Ilkley Tennis Club gym that I love to go to on a Sunday morning – a great way to unwind. If friends are free I catch up with them with a walk on Ilkley Moor.
Hopes for the year ahead?
Well after the last six months business endeavours (passing accreditation as registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers, creating a show garden for the first time, and hiring my first design assistant), I’m truly hoping to spend a bit more time with family and friends, whilst growing the business further.
melissamorton.co.uk
