Garden Design - Balham, London SW12
The aim of this design is literally to create an outside room, keeping the style simple and elegant by applying elements of a typical lounge to the exterior landscape
The space will be framed with raised beds, constructed from new, treated railway sleepers, running the length of each side of the space. The side nearest the client's property will also incorporate a deep bench sofa and large, low coffee table, both also constructed from railway sleepers
A brick built fireplace will cover the blocked up doorway in the centre of the bed beside the seating area, allowing the user of the garden to experience the beauty of a real fire in the open air
The floor surface will be over-laid with white quartzite paving, attractive and reflective yet sturdy enough to accommodate light vehicle traffic. This style of paving also has the advantage of being easy to clean, which is important when considering the different uses that will be required of the space
The steel girders crossing the space will be chemically stripped of rust, and the bare metal coated with a clear lacquer to prevent re-oxidisation
The living room theme will be expanded with the inclusion of dresser style shelving units, constructed from railway sleepers, nestling within two of the 'alcoves' created by the supporting pillars on the wall opposite the garage doors. The shelves will be down lit with recessed LED lights, allowing for addition of potted plants and sculpture in an ambient display. Bespoke rusted steel girder planters will adorn the walls to the left and the right of the shelving area
A simple yet effective water feature will be achieved with the construction of a railway sleeper trough. Set within the trough will be a single upended railway sleeper, incorporating two copper tubes at the top to create an uncomplicated water spout
The planting will be strong and architectural. Beautiful Chinese wisteria and hardy evergreen clematis armandii will be trained across the girders, creating a stunning display of floral stalactites as the plants establish over the years. The raised beds will be packed with lush greens and exotic palms. Along one side, the beds will feature ferns and a lattice grid of ivy, and along the other, large 'Cordayline Australis' and 'Trachycarpus fortunei', towering over the space alongside soft bamboos and lush ornamental rhubarb.The only flowering plant within the space will be the stunning 'Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough'. Finally, 'Dicksonia antarctica' will provide a majestic natural archway into the space .A set of reclaimed Victorian room dividers will replace the existing garage doors. These dividers will be painted to protect them from the elements and hinged on runners to create a concertina action which will allow the user to open the doors as much or as little as desired
Lighting within the space will include an Up/Down lighter in the area immediately outside the back door and general bedding spots providing ambient lighting on the plants. Pea lights will be used to outline the overhead girders, complemented by a reclaimed chandelier frame hanging at the cross point to create a striking focal point and completing the illusion of a 'room in the garden'