Garden Design - Hoxton, London N1
This design draws on Moroccan influences and seeks to create a well laid out space that is fresh and inviting.
Flooring in the space will consist of multi-coloured African slate laid in a stretcher pattern, interspersed with the occasional Moroccan floor tile. Under the kitchen window is a butcher block housing a Belfast sink allowing the client the opportunity for outside water.
Directly outside the back door, flanked either side by flush planting beds, will be a railway sleeper sofa-style seat with bespoke waterproof cushions. This area will be enclosed with a purpose-built timber pergola, constructed from attractive and durable Iroko hardwood, with a rusted iron mesh 'roof'. A Moroccan inspired wrought iron mirror on the wall behind the sofa will add interest and light to the area. Flooring in this area will include a decorative pebble mosaic 'rug'.
The main seating area of the garden will consist of rendered block raised beds, painted white and adorned with a Moroccan tile border around the top, upon which L-shaped 'suspended' railway sleeper benches will be fixed. This area will also benefit from a railway sleeper table, a large, ornate Moroccan-style water fountain water feature against the right hand wall and a wrought iron chiminea in the back bed to serve as barbeque and heater.
A water butt in the corner of the garden (client to relocate drainage) sits next to a Storage in the space will be provided with the construction of a small, bespoke shed in the left hand corner of the main area of the garden. Painted white, this will be hidden as much as possible with climbers planted in the raised bed beside it.
The existing large laurel will be retained and the existing ivy will be thinned and conditioned. The inclusion of a large tree fern at the entrance to the seating area will make a formal entrance to the space. The remainder of the planting will consist of oranges and greens with a selection of climbers, evergreens and herbaceous perennials selected to give year round interest.
The space will be complete with the inclusion of a comprehensive lighting scheme. The pergola will be illuminated with a fairy light net over the top and a Moroccan lantern suspended from the middle of the mesh roof. The main seating area will benefit from stylish teak and stainless steel bollard lights installed on top of the raised bed walls and rope lights running along the underside of the seats, with a double weatherproof socket providing power for the client to plug in electrical equipment if required. Finally, a series of low voltage lights throughout the planting beds will give the garden a subtle overall glow while serving to highlight individual plant specimens.