Garden Design - Grays, Essex RM17

The Brief

• The space is an odd yet interestingly shaped garden, consisting primarily of lawn with good, sound fences
• The client has stated that privacy is currently a problem, with the front of the garden overlooked by the house opposite
• A mains water pipe runs down one side of the garden - therefore it should be considered that might access to this point might be required at some point in the future
• The client has requested that the area at the bottom of the garden be excluded from the design.
• Entrance to the space is via patio doors from the lounge

The Solution

• The design creates a space which is both stylish and dynamic, yet at the same time warm and welcoming
• Several divisions within the space generate myriad possibilities for entertaining, relaxing, al fresco dining, sunbathing, etc
• The majority of the space will be laid either to deck or flower bed, in fairy equal amounts. There will be three separate decked areas, set at jaunty angles to each other, thus helping to create the sense of division within the garden
• The first decked area will lie directly behind the patio doors. Upon this deck will stand a constantly heated hot tub/spa, large enough to hold 4 people, which will create an impressive and seductive focal point to the entrance to the space. The second area of decking will run along the left hand side of the garden merging into the third decked area at the bottom of the garden
• A rendered block wall, painted a rich shade of deep aubergine, will screen the side area of the garden from view from the street, providing a bold and emphatic marker to the beginning of the space
• A low level block wall, also in rendered and painted aubergine, will provide a division between the decking and the planted area. A gap in this wall will allow access from the decked area directly behind the house onto a metal grating walkway and ground level platform. Screened on four sides with foliage, this platform will offer a secluded area which would be ideal for dining
• The flower bed running along the right hand side of the space will contain a lush planting scheme of jungle giants, stunning architectural foliage and big leafy plants in a variety of textures. Although predominately green, the planting will feature splashes of lilac to complement the aubergine colour scheme at play throughout the space. A statuesque 'Betula pendula' will be used to provide height at the end of the space - over time it will develop into a natural canopy and will offer some welcome shade to the garden
• Huge stainless steel planters containing towering bamboos and 7ft Cordylines will line the decking up the left hand space. These planters will help to provide some screening to the space, going some way towards addressing the privacy issues. The planters have the added advantage of portability, solving the problem of access to the mains water pipe should the issue ever arise. Furthermore, they could also be removed from the space should the client decide to move from the property in future years
• The end of the space will feature a beautiful stainless steel 'wall of water', cascading into a simple steel water trough. Set against the backdrop of a high aubergine wall, this will provide an attractive focus to the end of the space, whilst hiding the very bottom of the garden from view. A decked walkway will run either side of the water feature to provide access to the hidden area at the bottom. These walkways will be further flanked on their outside edges low raised beds packed with 'Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough'
• Lighting will be simple and stylish. Bed spots will illuminate the foliage and will be angled from the end beds to shine up at wall or water. Deck light will be used to illuminate the wall nearest the spa, as well as uplighting the steel planters along the walkway. The low level wall running along the flower bed will be subtly lit with downlighter eyelets

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