Garden Design - Kentish Town, London NW5
This design seeks to make maximum use of this small but well-shaped space, creating a contemporary courtyard garden with opportunity for dining, relaxation and small scale entertainment.
The existing paving will be removed and replaced throughout with attractive and durable Mint Fossil Indian sandstone in a random lay pattern. The rear boundary will be cleared of trellis and climbers, prepared and painted a colour of the clients choice. The existing fence to the right will be removed to reveal the wall behind, which will be painted to match the rear boundary. The gap between the end of this wall and the back of the house will be filled with a bespoke fence/screen comprising thin horizontal 'slats ' separated by small (approx. 3mm) gaps. This screen will be stained a mid- to dark-brown.
An L-shaped rendered block raised bed along the rear boundary will form the main planting area of the space. Measuring approximately 80cm high, the front wall of this bed will form the back rest to a 'suspended' bench seat constructed from chunky new railway sleepers.This seating will be complimented by a large freestanding railway sleeper table and set of freestanding railway sleeper cube stools. Summertime shade and privacy will be provided with the inclusion of a large, removable, triangular acrylic canvas sail stretched over the seating area.
The sideway will house a second, smaller seating area comprising a covered arbour-style structure consisting of two tall 'shelving units' constructed from railway sleepers between which a series of stainless steel catenery wires will be stretched to form an open roof across which climbers will be trained. The space beneath will be large enough to house a double bench (client to supply). The seating area will be flanked by two large rendered block planters, one either side, to help provide height and drama to this secluded, private spot.
The planting scheme is unfussy, elegant and effective, and features climbers, lilies and lavender to provide height, colour and fragrance throughout the spring and summer months. Added interest is provided by several rectangular brushed steel planters along the left boundary and a cubed brushed steel planter places by the patio doors.
A simple lighting scheme, chosen to provide gentle accenting illumination, will complete the design. The brushes steel planters along the left boundary will be made into a night-time feature by the inclusion of stylish, square, in-ground lights installed in the paving below. The fixed bench will given a 'floating' quality by rope light attached to the underside while the railway sleeper arbour will be given ample illumination by two up/down lighters installed on the 'shelving units' (1 per side). Finally, a series of low-voltage spotlights installed in the L-shaped raised bed and the flush bed to the right will give the seating area an all-over ambient glow whilst serving to highlight individual specimen plants.