Garden Design - South Woodford, London E18
This design makes maximum use of limited space by dividing the garden into two distinct areas.
The existing fences along the rear and right-hand boundaries will be removed and replaced with new 6 ft fencing. As it is in generally good state of repair the left-hand boundary fencing will not be replaced. However, if uniformity is required, the client may choose to attach a flexible screening, such as bamboo or willow, at a later date.
The main focal point of the space will be a seating/dining area to the left of the garden adjoining the house. Constructed from sturdy new railway sleepers, this area will comprise an L-shaped fixed bench backed by a tall L-shaped raised bed and complimented by a freestanding table and low bench (also constructed from railway sleepers). This area will be screened from the rest of the garden with the addition of a rusted iron mesh screen to the back of the raised bed. Flooring in this section will consist of attractive and durable Massaranduba hardwood decking. The side-way will also feature Massaranduba decking throughout.
Access to the garden will be provided by a set of decking steps from the patio door, which lead to a small rectangle of granite sett paving directly in front of the doors. A further single decked step leads from the paving to the second half of the space, which features a kidney shaped lawn bordered on one side by a curved granite sett path. This path leads to a 1.5m diameter granite sett paved circle in the bottom left corner of the garden, large enough to accommodate a café-style table and chairs or display a variety of pots or garden ornaments.
A child-height railway sleeper 'growing' bed will be constructed behind the exposed side of the L-shaped raised bed and left un-planted for future use. Planting throughout the space has been chosen to provide year round interest, with a mimosa in the left hand corner and a cherry tree planted near the neighbour's tree to improve screening. The addition of long flowering herbaceous perennials will ensure maximum colour throughout much of the year, while evergreen shrubs help give the garden backbone across the seasons. Climbing clematis planted around the boundaries will over time help to soften and obscure the fencing.
To finish, the garden will benefit from a simple lighting scheme to allow continued use when the sun goes down. The risers of each decking step will be lit with small 'micro led' lights to safely guide the user into and out of the space. Net lighting on the mesh screen will draw one's eye to the seating area, while three stainless steel bollard lights placed at intervals along the L-shaped bed will frame the bench. Finally, a series of low-voltage spotlights placed in the planting beds throughout the garden will create a gentle overall wash, while serving to highlight individual specimen plants.