Work in progress
The brief
- Aspect of the back garden: North east facing with unbroken views into the wider landscape.
- Detached house with existing large terrace laid with composite decking and paving. The railing obstructs the view into the garden and landscape from the house.
- The terrace is L-shaped, wrapping around the lawn which is on a lower level. Steps lead down on to the lawn. They are steep and laid with paving stone.
- On one side of the garden two stepped raised beds with rendered retaining walls retain the level change.
- A oak pergola covers a second seating area on the higher level at the side.
- There is a ‘mancave’ shed and a children’s play house at the side of the terrace.
- To the right there are young birch tree underplanted with meadow grass.
Aims
- Keep the existing overall layout of the garden, retain the unbroken views, add a few trees to create focal points and to frame the views, add spring and autumn interest (colour, flowers)
- Open up the terrace and access to the lawn with steps leading straight onto the lower level.
- Take out steps in the corner, take out steps in the middle of the raised beds.
- Convert the raised beds/retaining walls into ‘less hard landscaping’ while maintaining the upper retaining wall.
- Explore options for paving, different textures on the ground, which blend in with the colours and architecture of the house.
- Explore options to keep the ‘mancave’ shed or clear and have a possible outdoor kitchen installed instead.
- Keep the playhouse and re-locate if necessary.
- Keep the pergola and bar.
- Re-design the planting within the retaining walls/future bank
- Improve the wildflower/meadow grade area, add more structure, add plants on the upper terrace
