Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost has revealed that he once refused a garden design request for a checkerboard paving pattern, describing it as a complete waste of space. During an appearance on Sunday Brunch on July 5, Frost discussed his disdain for oversized plastic chess sets commonly found in gardens and hotels.
Adam Frost's Dislike for Outdoor Chess Sets
Speaking to hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, Frost confirmed his hatred for outdoor chess boards, saying: "The massive, plastic chess sets. You go to a hotel, or even people put them in their garden!" He explained that homeowners often pave a large area and place plastic chess pieces that slowly change colour, adding: "Really, kids just use them to attack each other."
Frost advocated for a more civilised approach: "If you want to play chess in your garden, buy a board, a set, take it out into the garden around a table with a nice drink. Civilised. Don't do that plastic, no." When Lovejoy suggested the oversized pieces provide an immersive experience, Frost dismissed the idea, stating: "That's not immersive! How is that immersive? No. It's a complete and utter waste of space."
Refusing a Checkerboard Paving Request
Frost recalled a specific instance from his early career when he ran a small landscape company. A client requested a checkerboard paving pattern in their back garden, but Frost refused. He said: "I refused, very politely. I just couldn't do it. It's just a no." The admission came during a conversation with swimmer Mark Foster, who questioned whether such designs could be considered art, leaving Frost bewildered.
Reflections on Moving Home
The interview follows Frost's candid reflections on moving house at the end of last year. He returned to his previous home, now occupied by a new couple, and described the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind a cherished garden. "I walked around with them and they are absolutely loving it. And I think that's a great thing to hold on to, is the fact that maybe you've just left somebody else a whole load of joy," he said.
Sunday Brunch airs on Sundays on Channel 4 from 10am.
