From the drawing board

Over the past week or so I have been working on the concept design for a garden in Woking and I am very pleased to be able to show you the initial sketches.  The site is challenging because the soil is very sandy and there are 3 oak trees beyond the end boundary which puts the garden in shade for most of the day.  These trees are also subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) so it was clear from the beginning that we would need to embrace them as part of the design and fortunately my clients prefer not to sit in the sun!

The back garden will have a woodland feel about it and as one of the side boundaries is in desperate need of screening, we will plant some large woodland-style shrubs and a few more trees to make the garden more private.  As the garden in virtually flat, the sweeping curved wall was intended to provide some much needed 3-dimension.

This is the proposed view of the side access.  Currently there is a paved path running against the wall of the house, but because the access is wide (4m) we can give the space more balance and dimension by moving it away from the wall.  I have proposed a staggered paved pathway which will be softened by the plants as they mature and spill over the edge.                                                                                                   

This is one view of the proposed new front garden.  The new driveway has been designed to accommodate space to park a car whilst still having access to the garage.  The planting against the house softens the whole look and the archway at the entrance to the side access will serve as a gateway to the back garden as well as the boundary point where the front garden finishes.  Here are 2 more views of the front…

The next stage of this project is to work through some small adjustments to the design following the meeting I had with my clients earlier this week.  The concept stage is very much that, a conceptual idea of how the design of the garden is moving forward.  It is really important that I work with my clients at this point to ensure that the design is right for them before work continues on the final drawings and specifications.  Any changes after that could potentially compromise the whole design.  Look out for future posts which will show you how the design evolves throughout the process.

Yesterday evening I presented a concept design and sketches to a client in Sunbury.  They asked me in to look at their front garden because they couldn’t bear to look at it any more and they also wanted to be able accommodate both their cars.  This is how it looks now… Read more

I was very fortunate yesterday afternoon to be able to enjoy the fabulous sunshine whilst helping a design colleague of mine to survey a garden in Guildford.  This got me thinking about the design process and how clients are often quite unaware when I first meet them that a survey of the existing garden will be required before I can produce any design work.  The reality is that I am simply unable to do my job without one, so I thought it would be helpful to explain why. Read more

On Monday evening I presented the final drawings to my clients in Ockley.  I love this part of my job because, although by this stage the concept design and sketches have been seen, it’s the moment when their new garden is revealed in all it’s glory! Read more

Over the course of the last week, I have been working on the final drawings and construction detailing for my project in Ockley.  This part of the design process includes construction drawings, setting out drawings and a Scope of Works which will allow the contractor to fully understand the extent of the design and properly quote to carry out the work. Read more

You might remember that I posted a blog in December about the areas around your house in which I used the recent commission I have in Ockley to illustrate my thoughts.  On Monday I presented the Concept Design for this project to my clients so I thought I would share this with you. Read more

When I tell people that I am a Garden Designer the general response is “how wonderful to be able to work outside, especially during the Summer when the sun is shining”.  The reality is that most of my time is spent in front of my drawing board or laptop and it is only when I come to the planting phase of my projects that I have the luxury of getting my hands dirty! Read more

I have been very excited about the prospect of showing you the finished garden at Reigate – it looks really fabulous, even if I do say so myself!  Before I reveal the “after” pictures, I thought you might like to see the “before” pictures…. Read more

Last year I was commissioned to design a planting scheme for a front garden in Ashtead and this morning went back to see how it was looking one year on. Read more

Planting design can be really challenging, there’s just so much to think about!  Here are some helpful tips to make the job easier: Read more