Inside the Home of Matthew Porter: HAY Palissade
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Time to read 3 min
At Holloways of Ludlow, we believe great design is at its best when seen in real homes. Our “Inside the Home of” series explores how creators and tastemakers use our furniture, lighting and homeware to shape their own spaces. Each feature inspires by showing how people can live with, style, and enjoy iconic pieces every day.
For this edition of “Inside the Home Of”, we are doing something a little different. Instead of the home, we head to the Peak District to take a look round Matthew Porter’s garden. Surrounded by exposed stone walls, his garden feels rooted to its historic setting. It’s informal, textural and quietly characterful. Within this rustic setting, iron red HAY Palissade furniture introduces a confident, contemporary contrast.
Matthew’s outdoor space embraces its heritage. The stonework is left raw, the gravel underfoot adds texture, and the setting feels naturally enclosed. Rather than compete with these traditional elements, Matthew’s styling of HAY Palissade brings structure and creates a feature within his outdoor space.
The linear silhouette of the dining table, bench and armchairs sits comfortably against the uneven stone backdrop, creating an inviting dining setting. The iron red finish adds warmth without overpowering the muted tones of the garden. This pop of colour lifts the space: where black, green or cream would feel too subtle or even get lost, iron red creates enough contrast and works in harmony with the rustic nature of Matthew’s garden.
The contemporary design of Palissade is somewhat unexpected in a rural garden that edges towards being traditionally English. Choosing wooden furniture or something more traditional would perhaps feel too expected. Instead, Matthew opted for Palissade, adding a modern statement that anchors and updates his outdoor space.
At the centre of the arrangement is the 170cm HAY Palissade dining table, paired with two HAY Palissade Dining Armchairs and a Palissade Dining Bench to create a sociable, easy layout. The mix of seating softens the overall look, encouraging guests to gather casually rather than formally. The pieces fit perfectly within his space, nestling neatly into their surroundings.
Matthew has styled his HAY Palissade simply and neatly, dressing the table with rustic plates, hand-blown glasses, linen textiles and handmade ceramics. These contrast well with the linear nature of Palissade, softening its look whilst also creating a tactile balance. Two HAY PC Portable Lights provide gentle lighting, ready to carry the space from afternoon lunches into slow evening meals. The result is a dining scene that feels effortless and inviting; an ideal table setting to enjoy a sunny day, relaxing with friends in the garden.
This setting works because it balances contrast. The clean lines of Palissade against rough stone. Bold colour against neutral surroundings. Structured furniture against an organic garden backdrop. The contrast creates interest, but everything works in harmony together to create something fresh within the traditional setting.
If you’re styling a similar outdoor space, think about material contrast first. If you have a lot of wood in your space, opt for metal garden furniture to add variation. Let your surroundings guide your palette; for example, choose something that stands out to create a feature.
Keep table styling relaxed and textural. This is your opportunity to add a personal touch and set the scene; however, you don’t want to overpower the space with clashing elements. If you want to enjoy your outdoor space from day into night, portable lighting is an easy way to introduce atmosphere without complicating the layout.
Shop the look:
Matthew has styled his HAY Palissade dining setting with a beautifully curated selection of his own tableware. Shop similar pieces below.
The two colours of HAY PC Portable Rechargeable Lamp Matthew has accessorised with are cream white and olive. These lights are perfect for outdoor use, as they are made from waterproof plastic and contain a rechargeable battery. They add character and ambience to the dining setting when the sun begins to set.
Frama Otto Plates in natural create a beautifully contemporary dining setting, as they are handmade and give off a rustic feel, whilst avoiding an overly vintage aesthetic. These plates paired with HAY Curve Stem Glasses enhance the elegance.
Finally, The Conran Shop Plain Linen Napkins add gentle texture. Choose the natural colourway to keep things neutral and rustic.
Matthew Porter’s Peak District garden shows how modern outdoor furniture can enhance a traditional setting rather than compete with it. The iron red dining arrangement feels grounded, welcoming and built for real gatherings, setting the scene for leisurely lunches and alfresco dinners.
Explore the full HAY Palissade collection here >
For more of Matthew, visit his instagram @matt_t_porter
Our “Inside the home of” series is all about sharing ideas and celebrating design in context. Every home we visit shows a new way to enjoy the pieces we love most. Would you like to feature? Please email marketing@hollowaysofludlow.com
Written by Stephanie Keel:
A lover of good design and recently a new resident to Ludlow life, Stephanie is our in house copywriter, documenting everything from her favourite parts of the product to the beautiful interiors you’d find them in. You’ll often find her in a well-designed coffee shop, with laptop in hand.
