Garden Design - Acton, London W3
The focus of this design is to create an exterior space which serves as an extension to the interior, featuring several distinct and versatile areas which can be adapted to a variety of uses.
The garden's boundaries will be replaced with new shiplap fencing to provide a uniform and attractive backdrop to the transformation within. The first section of the space will comprise a large area of decking adjoining the house and will offer ample room for entertaining, with a long L-shaped fixed-bench seat stretching width-ways across the central portion of the space. This is to be backed with a rendered block raised bed, planted with fragrant lavender and capped with 'bamboo' slate tile, to provide a sense of enclosure and separation from the rest of the garden. Also within this section, a small storage area will be created in the alcove to the left of the house, while the sideway to the right of the house will be renovated with random lay paving in bamboo slate tile.
A decked walkway running down the left hand side of the space will provide access to a square area of random lay slate paving inset in decking in the top left section of the garden. Edged along the garden's boundary with a high, reclaimed yellow stock wall and roofed with a bespoke timber pergola in Western Red Cedar, this appealing and private corner will encourage alfresco dining, relaxation and contemplation during the summer months. This area will open to the right into a large, slate-edged rectangular lawn, bounded along the top and right edges by flush beds. The lawn area will in turn allow access to a 5 x 3 pent shed in the top right corner of the garden.
The main focus of the garden will be a bespoke water feature running lengthways down the garden between the lawn area and decked walkway. This will consist of three stepped tanks, constructed from cream rendered blocks and capped with bamboo slate tiles. Highest at the pergola end, the feature is designed and situated so that the water falling from one tank to the next will be visible from the sunroom, commanding the space and enhancing it's aural ambience with the gentle sound of running water.
A planting scheme of soft, cottage-style evergreen shrubs and flowering perennials in purples and yellows will help to bring year round lightness and subtle colouring to the space.
The addition of lighting will complete the design and allow for nocturnal use. After-dark dining in the paved area will be enhanced by the glow from a net light stretched across the top of the pergola. The water feature will become an eye-catching night-time focal point, with each of the waterfall drops illuminated by underwater spotlights. An overall ambient wash will be achieved with the addition of 20 x low voltage spotlights to the raised and flush beds around the space. To complete the lighting scheme, the decked area and walkway will be dotted with 20 x LED deck lights which draw the eye and aid one's passage up the garden. The decked seating area will also benefit from a 240v weatherproof socket, to allow for additional electrical items to be used outside with ease.