 THIS WAS A TYPICAL LONG THIN PLOT The owners were keen to make the most of their new conservatory and wanted to include a raised bed, a pond, decking as well as a woodland area. Screening was also required to the right and so I suggested an internal trellis division linked to shade-giving pergola beams over the kitchen window. This also enabled an outdoor utility area to be allocated. |
 THIS SITE ROSE STEEPLY TO THE BACK BOUNDARY AND SWEPT DOWN AROUND THE SIDE A new extension to the dining room prompted the keen DIY owners to tackle the slope. Steps straight up from the french doors would have been predictable - but boring. My suggestion was to change the emphasis out on the diagonal to the top corner with steps leading up to a summerhouse with changes of level created with railway sleepers. |
 A SQUARE GARDEN WITH NO ENTICING VIEWS OUT An introverted design seemed to suit this site and I sketched out a bold brick-edged lawn which gathers planting around it. To make the most of the longest dimension, I proposed setting the paving on the diagonal to direct attention across to a wooden pergola arbour in the far corner. The gravel path encircling the lawn ends in a secret evening corner surrounded by soft frothy summer planting. A perambulation around the garden can be taken by using stepping stones set through the shrub border on the right-hand side. |