The Brief

There is something particularly rewarding about being invited to work with returning clients, so we were delighted when these homeowners asked us to design and build a garden to complement their beautiful new-build property.

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Having previously transformed the garden at their former home, we already had a good understanding of their tastes and how they enjoyed using their outdoor space. Having worked together before, the clients trusted us to create a design that would suit both their lifestyle and the architecture of their new home, giving us the freedom to develop a cohesive and individual garden.

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With a completely blank canvas to work with, the clients had just a few key requirements: a generous seating area for entertaining, a sheltered space for relaxing and the incorporation of their existing water feature.

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The Design

The main seating area was positioned directly outside the patio doors, creating a natural extension of the house and providing plenty of room for entertaining family and friends.

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Contemporary grey paving was selected to complement the light stone of the property, with the surrounding materials and colours carefully chosen to enhance the house rather than compete with its appearance. From here, the garden flows into a second seating area beneath a pergola, offering a sheltered and private space for relaxing.  Its position ensures the clients can enjoy this part of the garden without being overlooked, while the pergola provides welcome shade and protection from the elements.

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The clients' existing water feature was incorporated beneath the pergola, bringing a familiar and much-loved element from their previous garden into their new outdoor space. The gentle sound of flowing water creates a peaceful atmosphere, making this an inviting place to sit and unwind. Carefully positioned lighting adds another dimension to the design, allowing the seating areas to be enjoyed long after sunset.

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Rather than introducing a conventional rectangular lawn, we created a more interesting shape that helps the garden feel larger and encourages the eye to travel through the space. This flowing design is particularly effective when viewed from above, where the relationship between the lawn, paving and different seating areas becomes clear.

 

The paving continues around the edge of the garden, creating a practical route between the different spaces while maintaining a consistent appearance. At the end of a straight pathway, we incorporated the clients' existing arbour, creating an attractive focal point and a third seating area. This not only gave a familiar feature a new home but also introduced another place to sit and enjoy the garden from a different perspective.

 

By carefully positioning each seating area, we ensured that the garden offered several opportunities for relaxation and entertaining without feeling overcrowded.

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The planting scheme was designed to complement the contemporary landscaping while introducing a relaxed Mediterranean influence. Low-maintenance plants and ornamental grasses provide texture, movement and seasonal interest, softening the clean lines of the paving and garden structures. The combination of natural lawn, carefully selected planting and understated materials creates a garden that feels fresh, welcoming and easy to maintain.

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The clients also introduced their own statues and garden ornaments, adding personal touches that help give the space an established character.  These familiar features bring individuality to the design and make the new garden feel like home.

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What began as a blank canvas has been transformed into a beautifully connected outdoor space that complements the architecture of the new property. 

The generous dining terrace, private pergola seating area and carefully positioned arbour provide three distinct places to relax and entertain, while the flowing lawn and Mediterranean-inspired planting bring softness and character to the design.

By incorporating treasured features from the clients' previous garden, we were able to create a space that feels both new and familiar. The result is a contemporary, low-maintenance garden that perfectly balances practical outdoor living with attractive design, giving the clients a beautiful setting in which to enjoy their new home. A thoughtfully designed garden that brings together contemporary style, Mediterranean charm and the comforts of home.