Project Overview
This garden design project gave our team at Halcyon Landscapes the chance to do something special for our clients. This unique design project aimed to marry a traditional property with the contemporary style of our clients.
The existing landscape was a relatively unusable space, as it was set over different levels, making it difficult for our client to maintain planting and create cohesive displays. Over time, the landscape had been given over to mixed planting and was becoming overgrown.
The client wanted us to create something that would allow her and her family to enjoy the space fully. She requested unique areas of interest, such as a wildlife pond, to make the space engaging and diverse.
Design Brief
- Create a larger, more open space
- Separate terraces for dining, socialising & entertaining
- Connecting paths
- A combination of formal and informal/cottage style planting
- Wildlife pond
Designing A Courtyard
At the northeast boundary of this garden was a steep bank, with stone steps leading up to this separate area. The different levels of the garden were connected by a series of retaining walls and terraced areas.
Our first stage in the garden design process was to remove a portion of this bank and install a new retaining wall. This new wall matches the existing stonework of the northwest side, giving this new garden zone a courtyard feel and appearance.
Tiered Garden Design
As this was a sloped garden with various levels, we decided to incorporate an organic layout into our garden design. With the steep bank tackled, our garden designers then created various terraces which centred on the wildlife pond our client had requested.
These were constructed using identical natural stone as the existing walls, making sure our new terraces tied in and blended well with the surroundings. The whole garden now has an open, rectilinear design which is very modern. In many garden designs, we usually rely on a curved shape to create levels. However, for this garden we wanted to maximise the available space in each zone, which is why a wider, rectangular form was used.
This contemporary appearance is enhanced with the use of charred timber for the pergola, which is a modern feature that adds height, structure, and shade to seating areas.
Planting Scheme & Contemporary Materials
All materials and planting used within this garden design were chosen to complement the traditional architecture of the property. The precise, straight lines of the garden terraces are softened by our planting schemes, helping to create a cottage feel to the overall space.
This combination of sharp lines, stone walling, and mixed planting creates a functional outdoor space that provides plenty of space for hosting and entertaining, which also complements the traditional appearance of the property.
