Garden Design - Paddington, London W2
Back Garden
This design seeks to create a quirky yet stylish space suitable for a variety of uses. The area directly adjoining the house will be paved with Indian sandstone in a random lay pattern, and will feature a large paved circle slightly to the right of the main back door. 1 metre wide curved paths will lead around either side of an oval shaped lawn in the centre of the space. The left hand path will lead to a second smaller paved circle in the left hand corner of the space, while the right path will terminate in a small area of paving directly adjoining the existing shed. All paving and lawn will be edged with attractive granite sett bricks.
The paved circle outside the back door will feature a semi-circular bench seat approximately 3m long, constructed from rendered blocks and capped with Indian sandstone. The bench will be backed by a tall rendered block raised bed which will act as a back rest to the bench. This bed would make the ideal spot for the client to place a sculpture, as it is directly in the line of sight from the French windows. Circular block planters planted with box ball will frame the bench at either end, to give this seating area a fairly secluded feel.
Large swirling and scrolling white rendered block walls will provide an arresting focal point to the garden. Running down each side of the garden, these walls will undulate and taper in height, reaching a maximum of 1.8m in parts then dipping to almost ground level while curving around the space. At their highest points, the walls will act as a frame to the circular paving to the left, and as a screen to the shed in the right hand corner. A BBQ area (not shown on plan) will be made using the brick coal storage area by the back door.
The planting scheme incorporates native English And New Zealand plants in hot and spicy colours.
Finally, the lighting scheme will be atmospheric and architectural. Flush stainless steel eyelid lights set into the risers of the arced fixed bench will provide a wash of gentle light to the paved circle. Low voltage lighting placed throughout the beds will serve to highlight individual plant specimens while providing ambient background illumination. A tall double-headed ground-spike spot light will highlight the position of the sculpture, with further spike spots placed to highlighting the swirl of the wall. To complete the scheme, stainless steel up-lights set into the pathways will guide the user up the space.
Front Garden
The front garden will be structured along a very formal pattern. Two-tier terracing will effectively combat the difference in height between house and street level, making best use of the space in an attractive style that is in-keeping with the façade of the property. The terraces, one at approximately 50cm off house ground level, the other just below street level, will comprise brick built retaining walls back-filled with soil to create flat and level planting beds. The layout of the current house level surface and steps to the street will remain unchanged - these areas will be paved with an attractive and durable Indian sandstone in a random lay pattern. brick built planter installed at a height of 50cm will be planted with bamboo. Further planting space will be provided with the inclusion of two low level raised beds in the area adjoining the front of the house (by the front door) and a 50cm high brick planter constructed along the back wall to the right of the space.
The planting itself will follow a very symmetrical and formal traditional English style. A holly tree to match the existing tree will be planted to the bottom step, while the terraces and beds will be planted with a variety of box ball topiary and fragrant lavender contained within box hedging in a simple cross-grid pattern. A further feature to the space will be provided by the inclusion of two lantern shaped box trees to frame the entrance to the pathway leading to the steps. The existing large horse chestnut will remain but the small tree in front of the kitchen window will be removed. The 50cm high planter to right of the the space will be planted with tall bamboo.
To complete the design, a simple but effective lighting scheme will illuminate the space at night. Brass eyelid lights within the risers of each step will safely guide visitors to the front door, while low voltage spotlights in the beds will provide a gentle wash throughout. Finally, lights within the two topiary lanterns will provide an unusual focal point to the entrance to the house.