Brief
With their home being a relatively new build, Andrew and Tessa’s garden was almost a blank canvas. As a young family with children and two large dogs, the rear garden needed to be practical and adaptable, with plenty of lawn retained for play and flexibility. There was also the possibility of reconfiguring the approach to the house in the future, potentially making this side the main entrance. Above all, the priority was to provide screening from neighbouring buildings and the distant main road, while still preserving the open views of the wider landscape.
Design approach
The design began by addressing screening. Carefully positioned large trees were introduced to align with key viewpoints from windows and patio areas, offering privacy without blocking the expansive views. Closer to the house, a small seating area was created near the patio and softened with planting, with additional pockets of shrubs and perennials adding depth and interest.
Outcome
Andrew and Tessa were delighted with the results, and the project evolved further. We were invited back to create a more secluded “secret garden” near the driveway, offering a contrasting intimate space within the larger setting. Future plans include extending the planting to enhance a new parking area and developing the planting scheme within the secret garden itself.
