Garden Design - Bow, London E3
This design seeks to make maximum use of this small space, to create a fun, stylish garden suitable for dining, relaxation and small scale entertaining.
The space will be cleared and the existing steps from the house replaced with bespoke steps constructed from attractive and durable Iroko hardwood. The steps will lead down to a decking patio, also laid with elegant Iroko hardwood decking. To the left of the steps, installed within the decking, will be a rectangular section of paving, large enough to accommodate a dining table and chairs (client to supply), laid with recycled Yorkstone slabs (existing Yorkstone slabs to be re-used). To the right of the main steps, wide terraced decking steps (the existing brick steps will be removed and a new section of retaining brick wall constructed to accommodate the widened steps) will lead down to the lower area of the garden. These steps will be flanked on both sides by flush beds containg box hedge, constructed from reproduction stock bricks to match the existing wall. The lower area of the garden will also feature Iroko decking flooring throughout.
The main focus of the space will be a bespoke water feature bisecting the main garden between the decking patio and the rest of the space. Comprising a large, granite clad stainless steel rill stretching across the width of the garden, with a stainless steel water blade mounted on the right hand boundary wall and stepped rills running down the right of the terraced decking steps to a pebble pool installed in the decking in the lower area, this unique water feature will provide an arresting talking point on any occasion.
Stepping stones, fashioned from the reclaimed existing York stone installed between strips of black granite, will lead one over the main rill of the water feature and down and round the space, flanked on one side by flush planting beds, and by a central area of zero-maintenance artificial lawn on the other. The left hand boundary will be fenced with an unusual tailor-made fence/screen consisting of a series of thin, closely grouped, dark stained horizontal slats, installed on vertical posts.
A quirky vertical planter, comprising a large timber frame planted with a carpet of living ground ivy, will make a feature of the rear boundary wall. Planting in the space will be sophisticated yet simple, following a principally dark red and while colour palette. A variety of climbers will help soften the boundary walls, with elegant arum lilies and wispy ferns adding low maintenance glamour to the flush beds. A series of tall black planters placed within the beds around the lawn and along the decking in the lower area will feature proud hydrangea standards, while low box hedging within the brick raised beds will add an air of formality to the space.
A comprehensive lighting scheme will complete the design. The main rill of the water feature will be lit from within by a submersible pond light, hidden below a stepping stone and positioned to throw its light along the rill's length. Led micro deck lights installed in the risers of the decking steps into the lower area will safely guide one up and down the space. The black planters in the lower area will be lit from below by stylish square ground lights installed in the decking below, with 240v spike spotlights up-lighting the planters in the main section of the garden. Stainless steel adjustable spotlights installed on the boundary screen and house wall around the dining area will provide ample illumination for nocturnal al fresco entertaining. Fairy lights installed over the ivy frame at the bottom of the space will give the garden an added sparkle and magical air. The opportunity for musical accompaniment to any occasion will be provided with the installation of two small high definition 'rock' speakers within the beds on either side of the space. Finally, a series of low voltage spotlights installed throughout the beds will give the garden a gentle ambient glow while serving to highlight individual specimen plants.