How we worked with a first-time garden owner to give him the party garden that he desired for his new home.
Facts & Figures
Who lives here? A new garden owner Tim
Location: Redhill, Surrey
Garden Dimensions: Approx. 10m x 10m
Maintenance Advice: Porcelain paving, oak sleepers, pleached trees, artificial grass
Why we loved this project: This project is a great example of how we collaborate with our client to fit their budget, working as part of a team to bring the client’s sketches and ideas to fruition.
The Client:
Tim is a senior HR professional in a technology company. He has recently moved into a newly built house. This is the first time Tim has had his own garden and was excited to transform the blank canvas into the perfect space for his new home.
The brief:
As Tim works from home, he was keen to make the most of outdoor space, both as a sanctuary and somewhere to work from outside. Tim already had a strong idea of what he wanted to do with his new space. Using a simple theme of mixed greys to set off the greens of the lawn and the planting.
The solution:
We worked together with Tim to achieve the garden that he wanted, whilst keeping to a budget. By putting in some of the work himself, Tim was able to save money whilst leaving the more technical elements to us. We used 3D design tools to show Tim what his ideas would look like. This involved presenting different colours of fencing and various heights of the raised beds. Tim could annotate the designs to easily communicate his ideas with us so that we could show him what various changes to the plan would look like. This enabled easy communication and sharing of ideas between us and gave Tim confidence in the final design
Landscaping elements:
Tim painted the boundary fence himself before we started work. He then arranged for a neighbour to lift the existing patio slabs which were repurposed. (We love a bit of recycling here at AyeGardening!). We understood that lighting was really important to Tim, especially as the garden would be used for entertaining. We provided elements of lighting to start Tim off. First installing a strip light under the L-shaped bench. Then lights on the trees to focus attention on some of his favourite features. Tim can then add further illumination as he gets used to his garden and has more ideas about how he would like to illuminate it. As we laid an artificial lawn, this will be easy for Tim to maintain, especially as the lawned area is quite small.
Working together:
As a new gardener, Tim chose to do the planting himself, choosing low-maintenance plants that would give a softness to the structure of the benches and raised beds. This is a planting scheme that can be added to and developed as Tim becomes more confident in his gardening skills. A London Stone porcelain paving brings all the elements of the garden together.
As the oak sleepers of the raised beds can expand and contract, it is important to leave a gap between the sleepers and the paving. Tim decided to fill this gap with slate, a detail that gives further definition to the structure of the garden. The completed garden now provides another, “outdoor” room for the property. Tim tells us he has enjoyed working outside with his standing desk, as well as entertaining and relaxing. A truly multi-functional room!
Client focus:
Our clients are key to every project, and it is important to us that we give our clients the outside space that they imagined. In the project, not only were we able to put Tim’s stamp on his new garden, but we were also able to do it within budget. Flexibility is important to any working relationship, and we think we nailed it on this project! We wish Tim many parties and relaxing evenings in his beautiful new garden. He has already told us of plans to add a pergola, and we’re looking forward to seeing how Tim develops his new space over the coming seasons.
If you need help to design an outdoor space that complements your home, whatever your budget, give us a call to discuss your ideas, and let us help you bring them to life!
