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Insightful design for outside spaces
NEW-BUILD GARDENS
New-build gardens tend to share the same problems. Above ground, they are usually small, turfed, but otherwise empty. The patios are too small, they are overlooked by neighbouring properties and the view outward is usually of rooftops, fences, and brick walls. Below ground, they tend to have unimproved soil full of rubble and builders' debris, manhole covers in all sorts of strange places, and issues with poor drainage. However, as a blank canvas, they offer huge potential for transformation and are highly valuable to clients as 'outside rooms'.
Designs for these gardens have to address not only the practical issues described above, but also need to support a number of different (sometimes competing) functions in a harmonious and cohesive way. They also have to offer year-round interest and colour, while being relatively low-maintenance. However, I enjoy the challenge; creating something useable, interesting, and full of life out of nothing is particularly rewarding.
A CONTEMPORARY BLACK AND WHITE GARDEN
FLEET, HAMPSHIRE
My clients recently moved to a terraced new-build in Fleet, with a small garden overlooked by neighbours. They wanted to create privacy within a contemporary design, with mainly green and white planting, a larger entertaining space, and a water feature.
My design gave them a stone patio immediately outside the house with a water feature and room for the barbecue, as well as a raised timber deck sitting area away from the house, to give them a choice of places to sit in. A couple of specimen trees blocked the view of, and from, neighbouring properties as well as providing seasonal interest. The borders were slightly raised to lift the planting and edged with steel. Finally, black slatted panels, to screen the fence and set off the planting, created a stylish, intimate finish.
HOW IT LOOKED BEFORE
THE NO-MOW GARDEN
BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE
My clients wanted me to create an intimate garden, that was relaxing to be in, had lots of planting but no lawn and was screened from overlooking properties. They also needed somewhere for their swing seat, rotary clothes line and a small shed.
My design was based around paths through lush planting, with a corner pergola to house their swing seat. Post-mounted trellis panels provided more screening, as well as strategically placed trees. As the new garden would have limited space for the clothes airer, I suggested a foldable wall-mounted airer, which provided a good alternative.
HOW IT LOOKED BEFORE
