Garden Design - Upminster, Essex RM14
This design seeks to make maximum use of a disparate and poorly laid out space by unifying the various levels within the area to create a split-level space.
The fences and gate directly behind the garage will be removed to allow the installation of a large rectangular section of decking, starting from the gate at the level of the existing paved terrace and continuing at the same level down the right side of this section of the garden to terminate just before the existing manhole cover.
Measuring approximately 6m x 4m in the central area and constructed from attractive and durable Yellow Balau hardwood boards, this decked platform will form the main seating area of the garden, offering ample opportunity for dining, entertaining, relaxation and sunbathing. A large, removable, rectangular sail will be installed on four Yellow Balau posts installed centrally within the decked platform, to give the client the option of shade and shelter even on the hottest of days. Beneath this sail, seating will comprise a long L-shaped fixed bench seat, constructed from sturdy new railway sleepers and complimented by a large square railway sleeper dining table. Four long tall black brushed zinc planters, placed along the fence and garage wall, will create a frame to the seating area.
The decking platform joins the rest of the garden via a set of long wide terraced steps. These steps lead down to ground level paving laid with black slate tiles in a formal 'grid' pattern. This flooring will continue around the back of the house where it will be bisected by a bespoke water feature consisting of a stainless steel water blade mounted on the side of the house below the balcony from which water will pour into a reservoir below. The reservoir will be mulched with Italian white pebbles which will continue in a strip through the down the space to the edge of the paving. The paving will continue around the house to the area adjoining the existing steps, within which will feature a central flush planting bed.
Planting in the space will consist of elegant Zantedeschia in the rectangular tanks and tall and spiky Cordyline australis in the cube planters. Cut-outs in the decking around the Yellow Balau posts will contain black grasses, while the flush bed in the area adjoining the existing steps will comprise an assortment of leafy ferns. The area directly in front of the decking platform will be turned to flush bed and planted with phormium and grasses, with scented evergreen climbing jasmine trained along the fences in the around the decking platform.
The design will be complete with the inclusion of a simple yet effective lighting scheme, devised to allow continued use of the space when the sun goes down. Adjustable stainless steel spotlights installed on the four corner posts will provide ample illumination to the seating area. Micro LED deck lights installed in the risers of the decking steps will safely guide the user up and down the space. The water blade will be lit from below with a waterproof pond light, while a main voltage spotlights placed in both cube planter will create a nocturnal feature of the architectural Cordylines. Finally, individual plants in both flush beds will be subtly lit by a series of low voltage spotlights.