Project Value*
£60,000
Using Jane’s unique ability to draw out the essence of a garden to reflect the place, the house and the people, the outdoor area of this traditional, 1930s Redbrick semi, formerly dominated by an ugly, asbestos-filled garage, has been totally transformed from an unloved place into a seamless living space.
Despite its busy suburban setting, this home boasts something incredibly rare: backing onto the allotments, it is almost completely unoverlooked. The carefully considered removal of an Ash tree meant the garden could finally breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the light, peace and tranquility from the landscape beyond. The allotments offer a gentle backdrop where birdsong provides respite from the steady thrum of human traffic passing the front door with only the merest suggestion of human activity in the background.
If every man’s home is his castle, his garden is a gateway to a different domain, providing a welcome respite from the modern world and a meaningful connection to the land. And if our gardens were once guilty of being overlooked outdoor spaces, the Pandemic taught us that they are so much more, a window to a world of wonder, hope and renewal.
Having undergone a stunning rear renovation, bi-fold doors provide a grand entrance into the garden beyond. A beautiful, raised sandstone patio provides a perfect platform for elegant entertaining. Held at the edges by herb borders, the herbs not only provide an aromatic and visual barrier, but are grown to be eaten, showing that this garden is not simply a meeting place but a place with purpose, too. It is a garden that appeals to the senses and fulfills the need to garden, proving that we’re invested in our gardens like never before.
The Venetian ‘hit and miss’ fencing partially screens the allotments but a literal connection to the landscape beyond remains. A discreet wildlife corridor, incorporated into the design, along with a night vision camera, allows the family to enjoy the nocturnal goings on of local wildlife.
Though the garden shape is rectilinear, with the gargantuan garage gone, so too are the straight, confining lines that strangled this garden. Instead, this is a garden that now flows with curved edges and soft subtle planting to provide fluidity in form as well as in function.
To combat the long, narrow feel, landscape is cleverly borrowed from the garden next door through fencing that gradually reduces in height to create a framed view of an old, weathered redbrick building, complemented by mature planting which creates a cottage garden feel tiptoeing over the boundary. The overhanging orchard both contrasts and complements the contemporary feel of the garden.
The traditional garden path gives way here to one much more in keeping with this garden’s modern vibe. Lush, creamy sandstone steps cross the lawn, hugging the border, encouraging the view toward the cottage garden adjoining, further creating an impression of width.
The path leads towards the circular composite decking held by the backdrop of a curved raised bed full of beautiful Geranium Cranesbill Rozanne, adding continuous colour to the garden until the first frost.
The silver birch in the background is offset by the flashy, flowering Indian Bean Tree in the fore, behind which, cleverly screened lies a generous family shed, providing a subtle nod to the jumble of sheds dotted across the allotments.
At the back of the garden, impressively sleek and modern, stands the office, the ultimate in maximising living space. The crispness of the steel is screened by the bespoke pergola and softened by the climbing wisteria, whilst tumble bars for the children have been cleverly incorporated, neatly combining both office and playground.
Thanks to incredible garden design which accommodates the individual and collective needs of the family, this garden now flows seamlessly. A once unloved, disused place is now a beautifully interconnected living space where both the family and the garden can grow together.
* These are approximate values at today’s prices (2024).
