Our insight
Our overall design intention was to seamlessly blend the house, garden studio, front and rear gardens into one unified living space. For the rear garden, it was vitally important to create a cohesive and flowing scheme which was in keeping with the modern house and style aspirations of the clients. Soft landscaping was an essential component of the design. We built in a ratio of 1/3 of planting to 2/3 of hard landscaping, providing a good balance between greenery and hard surfaces – and contributing to the overall feeling of calm and relaxation.
The transformation
We set out to create a glamorous, crisp and sleek outdoor space, with high quality materials and reflective surfaces, enhanced by atmospheric lighting. The overall ‘look and feel’ is fairly formal, with clean lines and built-in features, including bespoke seating, raised beds, terraces and textured surfaces.
As entertaining others was a priority for the clients, we combined more open spaces with more intimate ones separated by planting. By changing levels and creating spaces within an overall cohesive geometry, the garden works as one interlocking harmonious space.
We also used quite a formal approach to the planting, with a grid of 4 Olive trees supported by more naturalistic grasses and herbaceous plants. The client loved Olive trees and the Mediterranean ‘vibe’ they bring to a space.
Since completion, the clients have greatly enjoyed spending time together and with guests in a modern living space that successfully blends architecture and nature. The project was awarded a Design Excellence Award by BALI in 2024.
