Project:
Front, rear, side gardens and driveway for bungalow set on a hillside with estuary views.
Brief:
A design that embraces the spectacular estuary views and deals with the awkward shape and slope of the plot. A garden with timeless appeal to include: large entertaining terrace, seating in sun and shade, a lawn, water feature, parking for 4 cars and rich, colourful planting.
My Solution:
The house was set below much of the garden and the space felt hemmed in and cluttered with many different materials used. In addition, an awkward angle between house and conservatory jarred with other lines on site. My design unifies and simplifies the space using a limited palette of materials and planting. By encompassing the awkward angle with a circle, estuary views are emphasised and a more obvious route to the front door created. Views to the raised garden are improved with trees, steps and features as focal points.
Existing terraces are retained but levelled, one being pushed back to create an open space that will be accessed from a new dining room. The space contains a bench with log store, fire pit and above ground water feature with white rendered walls to tie in with walling elsewhere. Planted borders on the side terrace emphasise the line of the design and are simple and colourful. The terrace feels more open being laid mainly to gravel punctuated with light and airy small trees leading the eye to a formal entertaining terrace at the rear and to a smaller seating area towards the front – a spot for quiet reflection to catch the evening sun.
In the rear garden, a large terrace provides ample entertaining space and a lawn with mown path leads to a sculpture in a hedge niche thus drawing the eye to the wonderful estuary views. An awkward space in a side passage is simplified with a single specimen tree surrounded by a restrained palette of topiary and grasses planted into gravel. A small bench with under planting allows for relaxation in this serene spot. A gravel driveway with recessed stone setts emphasises the design shape and specimen trees either side of the entrance are under planted with topiary balls. Hedging reinforces the circular shape and partly obscures parked cars.
My clients are looking to build the garden in the coming year once house renovations are complete.