Garden Design - Chelmsford, Essex CM1
The Brief
The site is a blank canvas, with sound fencing and good access via a side entrance Client has a dog which will need considering in the design The space will principally be used for entertaining and dining.
The Solution
The design creates a multi-functional space split into two main decked sections. The first, adjacent to the house, offers an area for dining and formal entertaining. The other, spanning the centre of the garden, will create a larger area upon which weatherproof sofas and arm chairs provide the ideal environment in which to relax and unwind.
These two areas will be separated by a strip of lawn, and shall be connected by a flush decked walkway down the centre of the space. This walkway is to be framed on both sides by two elegant and highly unusual water features, constructed from driftwood sculptures and stood atop a bed of cockleshell mulch. Colouring will be brought to the space with 'driftwood' stain for the decking and 'seagrass' paint for the fence The planting scheme shall follow a principle palette of purples and blues, chosen to compliment the seagrass/driftwood colour scheme at play throughout the space. The scheme will feature a variety of tall grasses selected to create a sensuous and fluid aspect to the garden, with pride of place going to four large Trachycarpus fortuneii placed at strategic points. The decking will be enhanced with the placement of twisted willow branches 'planted' within large terracotta pots.
The far end of the space will become a utility area, comprised of a 6' x 4' shed at each corner. These sheds will be concealed with split cane bamboo screening fixed to a treated timber frame. The centre of this section of the garden will feature a driftwood sculpture, carefully placed in order to provide a focal point to the space and draw the eye down the length of the plot.
Ambience within the garden will be further enhanced with the installation of a full complement of garden lighting. This will include nautical themed stainless steel lanterns, stainless steel spike spots to illuminate the driftwood water feature and underside of two Trachycarpus fortuneii, and stainless steel bollards marking the four corners of the main decked area - each light is carefully chosen to provide maximum atmosphere and utility in a plethora of nocturnal and dining situations.