Kaos to Inspire a Garden Fit For the Gods
Have you been watching Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer as Zeus and Hera in the Netflix smash hit Kaos? We have and we are obsessed with the gorgeous landscaped garden at Mount Olympus! If you haven’t seen it, well watch it – quick! The modern telling of Greek mythology has a groundbreaking feel, much like Baz Luhrmann’s take on Romeo and Juliet back in the 1990’s when Leonardo DiCaprio rocketed to success. It oozes sass and style but in a more traditional garden style than you’d expect. We can help you get the look, without needing a god sized budget.
A Classical Update On A Formal Garden Design
The formal garden in the TV show has a large plot. The path to the terrace near the house is lined with rows of smart pedestals topped with flower spilling urns and traditional busts.
This guides the flow of the gods towards a classic round pool surrounds with a ‘magical’ water feature in the center. This is the elixir that the gods drink to maintain their strength and powers.
But soul derived water fills much larger ponds at the rear of the garden with gorgeous balustrading. Zeus gazes out from the balustrade to look down on the mortal realms in Greece. And he sometimes sends out lightening bolts, or whatever he chooses, onto the poor citizens below.
Now, we’re not advocating power hungry gods that dispatch humans in the blink of an eye, but you have to admit, the hard landscaping is beautiful. You can emulate the terrace, the pedestals and pool surrounds for both water features. Although you’ll have to swap the circular magical water for a fountain. The CGI won’t work in gardens!
Like The Look But Lacking Space?
Most people don’t have the space for such a large triple pond feature, but you can always scale things to fit your garden and still have that Grecian feel. A smaller pond with a sleek cast stone surround, a petite fountain, like our Preston or Kew and lush leaved plants will create a tropical look. Many palms and hibiscus are available in hardy varieties, whilst olive and bay trees, add that Mediterranean feel, but are actually robust plants in colder weather.
If you don’t fancy a pond or can’t spare the room, you can always add one or two key garden ornaments to pathways or the main vista through your garden. This makes a focal point to draw the eye and creates the illusion of more space. You don’t need acres of garden, just a little imagination and a clever bit of design.
Opt for sundials, feature urns or elegant statues. Our cast stone weathers to a rich patina, which is so desired in the traditional British garden. But you can seal the surface to maintain that new stone look that is prevalent in the series. You can even paint all our stonework to get the look you want. Be inspired and remember there are no rules for your space.
Opulent Columns
Columns were another key feature at the reimagined of the home of Zeus in Kaos. These were wrapped with flowing vines. This emphasises the rich surroundings of the Gods and brings the design of the house and garden together.
Not everyone can upgrade their homes to include columns, or a portico, but you can add a pergola to your garden to grow a plethora of climbing roses, clematis and jasmine for a sensory delight for years to come.
Or you can create a shaded pergola for wonderful times entertaining friends or hosting family gatherings. Hopefully your friends and family are nothing like the characters in Kaos. No-one wants a relative as tempestuous and controlling as Zeus and Hera! Their garden may be gorgeous, but their relationships are not!
If you really love the column look but have limited space you can always add an ornate column decorated with grape vines, just for that Dionysus flavour!
Be inspired!
While you enjoy the series, pop in and see us for more inspiration. All our garden ornaments and balustrades are made by hand in our workshop near Tunbridge Wells. Talk to our team to see how we can help you get the Kaos look (without any real-life drama or chaos).
For more information on Kaos to Inspire a Garden Fit For the Gods talk to Chilstone Architectural Stone & Garden Ornaments