The Brief
The Clients have both very busy and demanding careers. They are keen gardeners but time is precious, so the garden has to be easy to maintain but include an area for them to grow vegetables. They entertain a lot so a stylish dining area and separate seating area were key. They wanted a contemporary garden design that did not impose on the house. The design, although contemporary, had to be in keeping with the rural surroundings.
The Site
This garden sloped up steeply from the house. This slope was held back by a very tired and badly constructed retaining wall. The small patio was damp from water draining down towards the house and the beds surrounding it were overgrown, making the patio dark and overbearing on the modern glass doors of the property. The garden bordered onto green belt land so the surrounding environment had to be treated sympathetically in the design.
The Design
The design avoids creating a large imposing retaining wall, instead it creates a series of levels to retain the same height of ground but in a less imposing way. The terrace to the rear of the house is now substantially larger, accommodating a fish pond and a seating area. The small retaining walls are designed to be excellent informal seating.
The paving is laid in a soft cream sandstone to harmonise with the planting and the brick of the house. The walls are rendered and painted with a stain resistant paint. Flush lighting makes the garden come alive at night making the slope a feature rather a problem. The planting reflects the surrounding area and is soft and flowing.
Testimonial
“Accent Garden Designs came up with an innovative and creative design that made very good use of the sloping site. They were very professional with good attention to detail. They worked hard to overcome technical issues that arose during the construction.”