Common FAQS

What are the key things to consider when commissioning a custom sculpture?

Scale

• It is really important to consider the scale of the piece you want and how it will interact with the setting. Scale will affect the materials and design of a piece.

• Too small and the piece may get lost, too big and the piece can dominate the surrounding natural beauty of the landscape.

  
  

Budget 

• Have a clear budget in mind and don’t be afraid to be upfront about it. It is up to us to find a piece that fits your needs and parameters!

• Sculptures generally take several months to complete, with substantially larger pieces sometimes taking 6 months and over. In most cases, Eden will stagger the payment of the invoice across these months,

  
  

Setting

• Where do you want your piece displayed? Some people have a set location they have in mind, but if not, this is where our skills and experience come in.

• We can help site your piece according to the layout of your garden, taking into consideration light, surrounding landscape features, view points and textures.

  
  

Materials

• What materials will work in harmony with the setting? The answer to this question will be entirely unique to each landscape and often comes down to the natural textures and materials found in the immediate vicinity.

• As consultants, we take into consideration the aesthetics of the plot by looking at nearby planting, materials of any buildings close by, the age and history of the location and the general 'tone' of the landscape design.

What materials work best for outdoor sculptures, and why?

Stone

• Marble

  • Marble brings a sense of timeless elegance, with natural veining and subtle variations. 

  • Its semi-translucent quality allows light to move through the stone, giving it luminosity and a distinctive cooling presence in any space. 

  • Marble carries with it a long and celebrated tradition in sculpture, so any piece created in this material will naturally enter into dialogue with centuries of artistic practice, enriching its cultural resonance.

    
    

• Portland stone

  • Portland stone is a classic British limestone, quarried in Dorset, making it an excellent and sustainable choice for UK commissions thanks to its minimal transport footprint. 

  • Its soft white-grey colour provides a calming and versatile neutrality that suits both contemporary and traditional settings. 

  • Portland stone offers not only aesthetic subtlety but also a connection to Britain’s architectural and sculptural heritage, allowing a new piece to sit comfortably within that lineage.

Metal

• Copper

  • The richness of copper will add warmth to any space, in any season and can work really well to add colour and light to a garden in the winter months. Copper takes patina well, meaning a range of finishes and colour variations, can be achieved.

    
    

• Bronze

  • Bronze has a similar richness to copper but with added luxury. This material has a long history in exterior sculpture - an important reference point for contemporary work.

    
    

  • Patina - our artists are skilled in patina application, modulating from deep denim blue to brilliant turquoise that compliments the warm tones of the metal.

    
    

• Stainless steel

  • Polished stainless steel has a wonderfully reflective, mirror-like surface that creates a sense of space and light in a garden, making it especially effective in smaller settings. 

What does the installation process usually involve for large-scale works?

• Works incorporating light, water and movement can take several days to install depending on the size of the piece.

• Works in stone or metal should take around half a day to install

• Eden provides a discreet, fully insured installation service no matter the size of the piece, to ensure there is minimal fuss for the client.

How often should outdoor sculptures be cleaned or serviced?

• We recommend that works that involve water, lights or moving parts are maintained annually. February or March are the best time of year for a maintenance service, so your sculptures look their best for the Spring and Summer.

• Other materials may need a cleaning or brightening service every couple of years.

• Eden offers an annual cleaning service for all our clients.

What sort of timeline do projects run to?

This is largely dependent on the size and complexity of the piece. Sometimes its simply a case of selecting a piece of work from a limited edition, other times bespoke commissions can take up to six month plus. If you have an idea for a bespoke commission and would like it ready in time for spring/summer, we recommend making an enquiry in the early autumn before.

What trends are you seeing in contemporary sculpture for private gardens?

• Following trends is not something that we recommend. Art collecting is a deeply personal experience and our ethos is rooted in the idea that work should remain timeless no matter what is happening in the art market. The work you choose will last a life time and beyond, which is why we tend to work with sculptors who use natural materials that stand the test of time,

  
  

• However, one of the clearest trends in contemporary art practice is a growing awareness of climate change. Artists and collectors are favouring materials with lower environmental footprints and favouring processes that minimise waste. 

  
  

• Within this, there is a noticeable shift toward sourcing materials locally. Many of our South West–based artists, for example, work with Portland stone or Devonian marble, stones with deep regional histories that reduce transport impact while anchoring the work in its landscape.

  
  

Are there more affordable ways to start collecting sculpture?

• Choose sculptures made of long lasting materials, that hold value and gravitas.

  
  

• Be upfront about your preferred budget and remember to factor in a small ongoing cost for maintenance. It is more cost effective to buy once, and have the piece maintained, than buy cheap and have to replace the piece over the years.

  
  

• We offer staggered payments (with no interest) which can be a great way of splitting the cost into manageable amounts.