From the drawing board

If you read my blog regularly then you’ll know that the construction phase has commenced at one of my projects in Leatherhead.  Sods law it rained the minute the garden was stripped out and this means that the conditions on site are now a bit challenging.

I always try to manage my clients expectations and this is never more crucial than during the construction phase of a project because it really does get a lot worse before it starts to get better.

The build for this project should last for another 3 weeks and although it doesn’t look more than a pile of mud at the moment, we’re actually on track for planting at the beginning of May.  This particular site is quite sloped so I have been working closely with my landscaper to ensure that the levels will work.

We’ve had to tweak them a bit because we don’t want to compromise the existing trees that are integral to the design, but it’s all starting to take shape now.

I guess I just wanted to share the glamour of the construction phase of a garden project – it might look like a bomb’s hit it, but in a couple of weeks time when I share the “after” pictures, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.  Now I’m keeping everything crossed that the rain stays away…we need a some bright windy days to dry everything out again….please!

The construction phase started at my Leatherhead project on Tuesday.  I’m really excited about this project because it’s quite a sloped site and the new design will make it much more usable.  The clearance work has almost been completed and the machinery arrived yesterday so work will start today setting the new levels. Read more

I have recently been working with a new client near Muswell Hill to help them to redesign their front garden.  At the moment it’s quite scruffy and there’s not really enough room to park the car comfortably. Read more

When I tell people that I design gardens for a living, their response is usually something along the lines of “must be lovely when the sun’s shining” or, more recently, “wouldn’t like to be working outside in this weather”. Read more

Today I want to share the concept design and sketches for a client near High Wycombe.  They have recently been renovating an old Victorian property and they now want to turn their focus to the garden.  The areas immediately around the house need addressing now, but they will implement the rest of the design over the next few years. Read more

Last week I presented three different concept designs to a residents association in Leatherhead who are looking to improve the entrance to their estate.  The area in question is a large grass verge area which is currently quite overgrown. Read more

I ran my first workshop at The Decor Cafe yesterday which was lots of fun.  It’s always great to meet people who are passionate enough about their gardens to want to create it themselves. Read more

I presented the planting design and construction costs to my client in Leatherhead last week and we should be all ready to start the build phase of the project in March. Read more

I went to see a new client in North London before Christmas because they wanted some help to improve the front of their house.  Front gardens can often be challenging because they are predominantly functional spaces, but they must also provide curb appeal because they are the window to your home. Read more

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to celebrating the arrival of 2013.  It’s been a fabulous year for many reasons, especially in the UK where we all became very patriotic with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games! Read more