The Brief
The Clients were a professional couple with small children and had just extended their house. They wanted a garden that they could enjoy with their children but freely admitted they lacked any real knowledge of how to take care of a garden, as well as simply not having the time to do so. They wanted their garden to be a place to entertain friends, for their children to play safely in and to plant a few vegetables and plants of their own.
The Site
The garden as it existed before was unattractive and featureless. Although the surface was level, there was a fierce step down to it from the house that needed addressing. An intrusive conifer hedge took up one side of the garden and blocked out light to the garden leaving it dull and unwelcoming. Similarly the cracked and damaged concrete paths that ran through the garden were unsightly and in places very easy to trip over. All in all, the garden was featureless and uninviting, not somewhere a young family would want to spend their time.
The Design
The first thing to go was the hedge, replaced by a smart and practical fence, allowing plenty of natural light into the garden during the day but maintaining privacy. This increased the area of useable garden considerably. The design introduced strong geometric shapes into the garden, giving it the illusion of greater width. Raised sleeper beds were added to create points of interest that double as informal seating if the family is entertaining. A generous sized deck now houses the seating and dining areas, and the upper part level with the bi-fold doors into the house. Not only does this eliminate the troublesome step down but it creates a defined area for the grown-ups, while the children play on the lower lawn. The rear of the garden has a large bed that uses structural planting to draw the eye down the garden and create the illusion of yet more space. The addition of lighting throughout the garden maintains the view from the house at night. The planting in the garden has been designed to add all year interest, changing in colour, textures and scent with each season while still remaining low maintenance.
Testimonial
‘We were recommended to use Accent Garden Designs by a friend who had shown us the design Accent had created for them. Gordon was quick to come round and discuss our ideas and requirements. Within a few weeks we had the garden surveyed, a vision and design produced, and the technical drawings supplied. Good communication throughout. We proceeded with the project and used the Accent team to select a landscape contractor, oversee the project, and undertake the planting.
We are now enjoying the garden and are very pleased with the outcome!’