Garden Design - South Chingford, London E4
A paved terrace will be constructed adjoining the house on the left hand side of the garden. Laid with attractive and durable Indian sandstone in a random lay pattern, this patio will extend approximately 3 metres out from the back of the left hand conservatory, with the paving continuing up between the two conservatories. Rendered block and sandstone steps will be constructed to allow safe access from conservatory to garden. This section of paving will be approximately 30cm above lawn level, to help account for some of the difference in height between the area directly outside the conservatory doors and the rest of the garden. A step down from this area joins a second section of paving, approximately 15cm above lawn level, with a further step to the left leading to the garden below and a narrow path running around the front of the right hand conservatory and around the side of the house as far as the gate. Low raised beds, running flush with the respective levels of either terrace, will retain the paving behind. The front wall of each of these beds will be rendered and painted white, while the bed itself will be planted with a fragrant and colourful lavender hedge, creating a simple and elegant division between the paved areas and the garden beyond. Flush planting beds will be created around the front of the right hand conservatory and down either edge of the sideway running to the gate. Where the paving meets all these beds, it will be edged with granite setts to create a clean, stylish demarcation between the two.
Entering the main garden, a short path, flanked on either side by flush level planting beds, leads to the lawn. The right hand bed will be left sparsely planted to allow the client to accommodate a children play area housing a fortress or some other play equipment. It is strongly recommend that this area is not filled with climbing equipment at any height, as it will be in close proximity to several hard surfaces and therefore poses a potential danger to a falling child.
The lawn will be reshaped and bordered around its entirety with a 1 metre wide Indian sandstone pathway edged with granite setts. The lawn will be surrounded on all sides by flush level planting in wide beds. In the bottom right and left corners, the pathway will dogleg inwards to widen the beds, allowing for the placement of a 3.6m x 2.75m shed in the left corner of the garden, and a large living willow igloo in the bottom right hand corner. A series of wooden archways along the right hand path will provide interest and a little balance of height to the space.
Lighting in the space will be simple but stylish. Twin headed 'Myra' spot lights will provide illumintation to the patio area outside the left hand conservatory, while a series of low voltage spotlights placed throughout the beds give a gentle wash to the garden while serving to highlight individual plants. Finally, stainless steel walkover halogen lights will be set at intervals into the pathway around the lawn, to guide ones passage around the space.
The planting scheme is designed to compliment and echo the existing planting, continuing the theme of lots of different foliages and textures, but will introduce more flowering plants to the space, helping to provide colour throughout the year.