Warning: if you don't swoon over the sight of masses of brightly-coloured blooms, best turn away now! So, we've now come to the end of this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show and once again it's been absolutely spectacular. Breathtakingly beautiful floral displays, innovative exhibits and more colour than you could possibly know what to do with. Heaven. I attended earlier in the week this year and thankfully caught the gorgeous weather by doing so; hello summer dress and cold drinks. Looking back on this year's experience of the show, there were some definite standout features for me. If you enjoy reading A Glass Of Ice, the chances are these will be somewhat 'standout' features for you too and so, enjoy! If the overwhelming mass of flowers becomes too much for you, stare at a blank wall for a little while before returning to browse...

Phew! So, there we have it. Once again, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been a total pleasure to attend and an annual tradition I plan to continue throughout the years. I'd love to know whether you've ever visited before? Does any particular exhibit from this post catch your eye? Let me know in the comments below!
F O O D
Firstly, as is the case with all decent personal accounts, let's focus on the food. Mmm. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the most adventurous when it comes to food and so the champagne and seafood stand wasn't quite calling my name. The muffins, however? Delicious. This year's general café food was hands down the best it's been so far. Should you be visiting next year, if you're looking for minimal fuss and plenty of taste, track down the indoor café serving sandwiches and cake, or alternatively, tuck into fish and chips from the Bandstand area! Oh and don't worry, there's plenty of ice cream and Pimms to be enjoyed as well.
If you took a peek at my blog last weekend, you'll remember the outdoor garden party scene I created for Marks & Spencer. You'll also know I had been hugely looking forward to checking out their exhibit in the Grand Pavilion at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show! In short, it certainly didn't disappoint. The exhibit emitted a definite sense of authenticity, having taken inspiration from British Flower Markets, and 'The Floral Market' signage was a very sweet touch.


Anyone else find themselves forever drawn to marquees? The Grand Pavilion must have some sort of gravitational pull, because within 10 minutes of having entered the show, I always find myself wandering around the undercover exhibits. Pretty sure others feel the same too as it's always so busy there! One of my favourite finds in The Grand Pavilion this year included the South African exhibit featuring a floral representation of Cape Town made from tin cans. Incredibly, South Africa have now won 36 Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - this year included! Another of my favourite features that appealed to my more romantic side, was the Fleur Boutique (Silver-gilt award winner). The white roses, orchids and chrysanthemums enveloped in a bird cage and surrounded by a grand 'stone' folly were spectacular and somehow managed to combine my wildest dreams of pre-Raphaelite paintings with A Midsummer's Night Dream vibes (albeit a cheerier, brighter vision), with a splash of wedding-planning thrown in for good measure. I don't know, but it was heavenly.

Ah, one of my favourite elements of the occasion has always been the Chelsea Flower Show's Young Florist of the Year competition. Incredible talent for such young florists! I really enjoyed the headdresses theme of 2016, however, wedding thrones? Of course that's going to become my new favourite! I've shared a couple of the most eye-catching thrones below, both of which were award-winners.
T H E D A V I D H A R B E R & S A V I L L S G A R D E N
No wonder such crowds were gathering around this exhibit! Modern sculptures contrasted beautifully with gentle flowers typically found in British gardens. The water feature was another eye-catching draw and one that definitely shot the popular exhibit up to the very top of my list. Love. Anyone else smitten with the striking turquoise and gold colour combination below?

As much as I adore historic, italianate architecture, occasionally my heart screams for minimal design featuring clean lines and a clean aesthetic. Ask and Skin Deep will deliver! Created by the established UK skin company, the exhibit represents people with varying skin conditions that we all encounter. The garden hopes to show that although we may at times feel weakened by our appearances, collectively we are not alone and so can feel stronger. It's a beautiful concept and one showcased perfectly - it's definitely made a lasting impression on me!

T H E L G E C O - C I T Y G A R D E N
Ooh, be still my beating heart. I know we're discussing The Chelsea Flower Show here, but can we just take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous gold artwork placed in the centre of the below table?! They look like fungi from here and I'm so here for it. Anyway, the LG Eco-City Garden represents 'the green space allocated to one housing unit in a 'vertical forest' of residential apartments'. It aims to showcase our growing dependency on technology with the consequential awareness needed of the environmental issues posed by contemporary lifestyles. Thought-provoking, for sure. But now back to those gold mushrooms....
Keeping in theme with the show's focus of mindfulness this year, Laced With Hope helped to spread word of the charity Supershoes. It's both a wonderful concept and display, bursting with colours and truly prompting curiosity into the charity's work. Through vibrant artwork, it shows the journey a child with a cancer diagnosis goes through. Tiny painted trainers lined the wall at the forefront of the exhibit that truth be told, made me feel a little choked. If you're looking for a charity to donate to, please do take a peek at their website and learn more about the fabulous work they do!

F I N A L T H O U G H T S . . .
As shown in both the first and last photos in this post, the Wuhan Water Garden is an indisputable crowdpleaser, and quite possibly my favourite feature of this year's Chelsea Flower Show! Featuring fountains, mist spray, water rills and an array of colourful plants (with pink being the feature colour), the Wuhan Water Garden was designed to be walked around and admired from all directions. According to the RHS website, the garden was inspired by the historic ability of Wuhan - China's 'City of 100 Lakes' - to manage and control the flood waters of the Yangtze River.

Liked this post? You might also enjoy >> M&S Flowers | Chelsea Flower Show 2018
With love,
Gabrielle x
Looks like such an incredible flower show!!!! WOWOWOWOWO!!!! AMAZZZING!!!
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xoBeckerman Girls
www.BeckermanBlog.com
So ridiculously beautiful. My favorite is the skin deep exhibit because of the message behind it, but this is something that we could spend all day admiring. Honestly, it's such a necessary reminder of how gorgeous nature is! I wish CO had something like this!
ReplyDeleteSusie | http://milehighdreamers.com
Oh gosh, this is unbelievably beautiful. My MIL loves flowers and has the greenest thumb and I know she would appreciate reading this post.
ReplyDeleteShireen⎜Reflection of Sanity
Absolutely gorgeous one of the most famous flower shows ever Thanks for the amazing post and your outfit is just perfect for the occasion xoxo Cris
ReplyDeletehttps://photosbycris.blogspot.com.au/2018/05/swimwear-from-zaful.html
All these flowers are so beautiful and your outfit is perfect. I really wish that we had something like this where I live!
ReplyDeletehttp://whatmakesmesmileblog.com/
So beautiful place and so amazing flowers. Your photos are (as always) perfects!!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't miss my latest post, now on my blog! Kisses from Italy and thank you for your visit,
Eni
Eniwhere Fashion
How to wear a polka dot's shirt
Everything looks so lovely! I'd be so overwhelmed. That first throne though! I need it, in a permanent form.
ReplyDeleteHope you've had a nice weekend Gabrielle!
amberelb.com
Wedding thrones? I am considering remarrying just because of this!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Linda, Libra, Loca
I'll have to confess that the tulips are my absolute favourite! Great to see and read about your experience at the flower show! - www.jamilakyari.com
ReplyDeleteGreat,I love flowers <3
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it here. Such a fun place to see incredible styles. The floral is so inspiring for spring :) http://www.bauchlefashion.com/2018/05/i-see-through-you-transparent-bag-trend.html
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful! It's impossible to pick a favourite, but I do like the one with the steam rising, beautiful display! :) I wish we had something like that here, it would be so fun to explore! :)
ReplyDeleteHope that you had a wonderful weekend! We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the warmer than expected weather!
Away From The Blue Blog
I love the floral dress you wore. It goes very well with the surroundings. You always look so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe floral show looks amazing! The creativity of florists never cease to amaze me. I love flowers, well plants in general, and I love visiting flower shoes. I haven't been to any abroad, but in Split there used to be an annual floral show and I loved visiting it. A mother of my friend often exhibited there and I think she won some awards too. This Chelsea flower show just keep getting better every year. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Looks like an amazing flower show!! The wedding thrones look so unique. And you look lovely. Thank you for sharing! xx
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Wow, beautiful pictures and what a great thing to go to this time of year! The M&S flower market sounds and looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
Everything is just beautiful including you Gab.
ReplyDeleteI love what you wore too
Much Love,
Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
Oh my gosh, so many beautiful flowers and lovely arrangements! I wish I lived close enough to see the exhibit in person!
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Hello Gabrielle
ReplyDeleteThis flower show is stunning. What wonderful pictures, you know I also love flowers and I usually share that in the blog. But this tradition is really very beautiful, but the most beautiful flower is you, my dear!
xoxo
marisasclosetblog.com
So many beautiful flowers I would love it there!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely stunning with the flower background girl!
ReplyDeletex Lisa | lisaautumn.com
What a fantastic place! So beautiful!!!
ReplyDeletehttps://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/bom-dia-lisboa/
Gorgeous post, I love nature, and the flower displays are so beautiful. I also love your outfit Gabrielle, you look gorgeous <3
ReplyDeleteSerene XO
http://www.surrealserene.com
Wow this place is so pretty!
ReplyDeletexx- Nina
http://www.ninalnguyen.com/2018/05/travel-diary-our-honeymoon-in-barcelona.html
I feel like I've died and gone to flower heaven after looking at all these gorgeous blooms Gabrielle! You can never go wrong with beautiful flowers and fabulous food so it's easy to see why the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is an annual tradition for you. All the exhibits are stunning but if I had to pick one which really caught my eye it would have to be the swoontastic Wedding Thrones.
ReplyDeleteWow! This place looks amazing!!! Gorgeous pictures.
ReplyDeleteX Merel
www.andathousandwords.com
This flower show looks fantastic. Every year I promise myself to go but there is always something in the way! This year I’m enjoying myself in Cancun so not a bad substitute I guess But i do have to finally make this wonderful event.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos, immaculate as always 😘💞💖
http://www.elegantduchess.com
This is so amazing, loving the photos. I have to visit the Chelsea show one day!
ReplyDeleteAnika | anikamay.co.uk
Absolutely stunning!!
ReplyDeleteLesley Kim
New post
Instagram: Lesley_kim
It seems I have reached in a heaven of flowers. So many varieties of lovely flowers...oh I'm in love. Earlier I used to go in flower show in my city but couldn't get time this year. You are looking so pretty in that cute dress <3
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Monday <3
http://www.rakhshanda-chamberofbeauty.com/
This flower show looks like a dream. It's so pretty !
ReplyDeleteI would of want to buy all of the flowers.
It looks like such an amazing event even crowded.
I love your flower dress. So pretty !
xx,
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com/
Beautiful photos! Of course you have the prefect dress for these pics. I would die to go here!
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Chanel | Je M'appelle Chanel
The M&S stand looks so pretty! I was watching a BBC documentary on gardens and how they're coming into prominence again, it was really interesting learning about the origins, and why some of them have different styles and water features (the pictures above just reminded me of it) x
ReplyDeleteVelvet Blush
This looks like the dreamiest exhibition!! So many incredibly beautiful flowers and I love how many different concepts were presented in flower show, amazing!!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are stunning as always Gabrielle and love the flower print dress you wore, very appropriate ;)
Have a lovely week!!
Andrea.
Seize your Style
This is so cool! I would love to attend something like this. Everything is so beautiful and creatively presented.
ReplyDeletexx,
Meredith
NO BASIS IN REALITY | LATEST POST | INSTAGRAM
wow this flower show is absolutely stunning..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
I watched a lot of the coverage on TV and thought it was stunning! Some of the big installations the designers made - wow! This flower market by M&S is super pretty! Did you get to smell any of the coconut orchids that German lady had?
ReplyDeleteRaindrops of Sapphire
Thanks for your comment darling :) Sadly I'd not heard about that, there just never seems to be enough time there haha!
DeleteGabrielle x
Wow good food and beautiful flowers?! Count me in! This looks like a perfect place to spend the day =o)
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Ah these photos are gorgeous Gabrielle! I've always wanted to visit the Chelsea Flower Show.
ReplyDeleteIt looks ah-mazing!! So pretty.
www.stylecalling.com
What a gorgeous place. Amazing combination of design and blooms. The flowers are beautifully laid out.
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
The floral compositions are stunning!!
ReplyDeletewww.bonjourchiara.com
Oh wow, these pics are incredible, what a truly beautiful show !!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pardonmyobsession.com/
Wow, all of the colours are just so beautiful! I've never been to a flower show before, I think the closest I've gotten is going to the botanical gardens in spring!
ReplyDeleteJulia // The Sunday Mode
OMG wonderful!!! *_* Everything is so perfect and beautiful! Those wedding thrones are stunning, especially that of the second pic!! It must be a truly unique show and I would like to be there the next year to be able to participate!
ReplyDeleteP.s what are Pimms?
www.milleunrossetto.blogspot.it
Hi Roberta! Thanks for your lovely comment :) Pimms is a typical British fruit/alcoholic drink!
DeleteGabrielle x
I'd absolutely love to go to Chelsea someday, it looks gorgeous! The M&S market is beautiful - but then so are all the others!
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
callmeamy.co.uk
These flowers are heavenly... Oh my i'm drooling...
ReplyDeleteGlowyshoes's blog
I love the Chelsea Flower Show, I've never been but omg everything is beyond beautiful, the blooms around Sloane Square are simply stunning xx
ReplyDeletetipscapsue.blogspot.com
I love so much this idea, I've never saw something like that before, all these incredible flowers... wow!
ReplyDeletexx Dasynka
http://dasynka.com
Looks so spectacular! I've never seen Chelsea Flower Show, but it goes to my bucket list! I would just get lost in between all of these gorgeous blooms!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Anna
http://atlifestylecrossroads.com
The return of spring colors.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures
I really like your blog
Good continuation
Your dress goes so well with the theme!!! :D Looking great as always Gabrielle!
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