Projects

Projects range from large country gardens to small urban spaces with a soft naturalistic feel at the heart of every design

Large Country Gardens

Baunton House, Cotswolds

Top of the client brief was to suggest ways to reduce noise pollution from nearby roads, provide areas for entertaining and relaxing both for adults and for teenage children and to include lots of colourful planting and flowers for cutting. The client liked both traditional mixed border planting and a more contemporary style with blocks of hedging softened with perennials and grasses.

The design intention was to create areas with defined purposes, improving the flow between each of these and throughout the site, using plants to create both structure and softness. To find solutions to mitigate noise pollution wherever possible and to increase biodiversity and wildlife habitat across the site.

The main terrace outside the kitchen was extended and wrapped in Corten steel and grasses that would sway in the wind creating a calming sound. The terrace features a sunken seating area surrounded by planting a simple water feature, an infinity pool with water jets and a sunken spa surrounded by a water wall and climbing plants. This area overlooked large herbaceous borders in the main garden, blossom trees and a flowering shrub walk.

The parking area was relocated to the side of the house nearer to the kitchen. A large border created a screen between this area and the house and an attractive walkway was created using arches and climbing plants which connected the drive with the rear garden which now features a large formal pool and fountain, a gravel garden and clipped hedging which lead the eye out over the fields and avenue of trees. Areas of meadow with a wild seating area and an orchard were located further afield. A meandering path leads across the orchard, through the woodland and into the main garden, connecting these spaces creating a cohesive feel across the site.

Environmental Considerations. A careful selection of plants which are supportive of wildlife, low maintenance and suited to the site conditions. Retaining old trees and dry stone walls to support existing mosses and lichens. Native meadow planting supported by the Cotswold Glorious Grasslands Project. Reusing all materials onsite such as soil and stone. Log piles from felled trees onsite lining the woodland path.

Chalford House, Cotswolds

The main aims from the Client Brief were to bring cohesion and flow to the site as a whole, provide year round interest and areas that are supportive of wildlife. A space for entertaining up to 20 guests. Areas to sit and relax both in sun and shade. A design that is sympathetic to the history and style of the site. Ideas for how to incorporate water into the garden. A mix of informal and formal style. Low maintenance.

The design intention was to create beautiful naturalistic spaces, that are beneficial to wildlife and have defined purposes, namely for entertaining, enjoyment and relaxing, that connect with one another, the two properties on the site and the wider landscape. Bringing people closer to nature. A structural yet soft feel, sensitive to the sites history with links to the cloth industry, retaining ancient drying racks, dry stone walls and as many trees as possible. Working with existing slopes and careful consideration of materials.

Meandering paths using topiary balls, columns, undulating hedges, grasses inter-planted with swathes of bulbs and the inclusion of water features give the design a sense of flow and a cohesive rhythm throughout. Tree avenues create site lines and link different areas together. Level areas utilised for seating include the extension of the terrace outside the coachhouse which overlooks areas of meadow/ wild planting. A limited palette of hard landscaping materials, clay pavers, gravel, Millboard decking and gabion baskets filled with local stone delicately compliment the existing style.

Environmental Considerations. A careful selection of plants which are supportive of wildlife, low maintenance and suited to the site conditions. Log piles, dead hedges and planting in gabion baskets created new habitats. Retaining existing trees. Stone and materials sourced locally. Rain chains and troughs for rainwater storage. Reducing run-off towards the house by the addition of terracing/ gabion baskets, a rain garden and drainage swale.

Small/ Medium Gardens

A Country Garden in Winscombe

The brief here was to improve the flow of the garden so that the space could be better utilised. With the addition of more planting and interest and areas for entertaining and relaxing. The design was to include a pond which could be enjoyed by both people and local wildlife.

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The design intention was to create a quirky naturalistic space, beneficial to wildlife (thinking especially about the resident hedgehog!) and areas for entertaining, enjoyment and relaxing. Bringing people closer to nature and using reclaimed materials where possible.

The Secret Garden near to Glastonbury

The aim of this client brief was to transform a fairly narrow and long patch of lawn into something immersive and magical. This was achieved with the addition of planting and small trees that you can weave through and wooden arches to add further interest as you journey through the space.