Garden Design - Upper Walthamstow, London E17
Taking inspiration from modern Japanese gardens, the design utilises a series of circles and spirals to impart a strong sense of fluid unity to the space. The existing paved area to the right of the conservatory will feature a Yorkstone paved circle, 3.6 metres in diameter, resting like a solitary island in a 'sea' of black slate paddle stones. From this area, a semi-circular step, inlaid with pebbles in a spiral mosaic pattern, will lead to a large circular lawn. The centre of this lawn will become the main focal point of the garden, taking the form of a 'halo' of Yorkstone paving encircling an 'Angel' sculpture within a ring of topiary balls.
An undulating rendered wall capped with paddle stones will begin at the raised paved area to the right of the conservatory and curve out into the space along the edge of the lawn. Swooping downwards, it will seemingly 'disappear' underground only to rise again at the back centre of the space and continue around the garden to terminate at the left of the house.
On the left hand side of the space the curved wall will act as the retainer for a raised bed, with a circular raised concrete platform, inlaid with a spiral pebble mosaic and placed with the client's own statue of buddha, serving to contain the soil in the bottom left corner. By raising the planting area in this way, we will help to impart a sense of enclosure to the space. A further spiral pebble mosiac circle will feature in the top left of the raised bed, left empty so that the client can include sculpture or some other feature when the garden is joined with the one next door. The spiral motif will be echoed on the right hand side of the garden, with the inclusion of a circular raised pool, inlaid on its bottom with pebble mosaic, in which will stand a stainless steel 'Peace' water feature.
The beds to the right of the space will be flush with the level of the lawn, with the gap opened by the 'buried' wall allowing access from lawn to bed, where there would be potential for a shaded seating area beneath the existing magnolia tree.
The planting will feature very soft and delicate flora, punctuated by the occasional strong architectural form. Japanese plants feature heavily, including evergreen shrubs and flowering summer and autumn perennials, while a selection of Spring bulbs, including snowdrops and bluebells planted under the Magnolia tree, will bring a colourful start to the year.
The lighting scheme will create a subtle yet powerful all-over effect, with the careful placement of 240volt exterior shadow spots to illuminate the main features in the space, including the magnolia tree, the central angel sculpture and the water feature. Attractive brass recessed eyelid downlighters will accentuate the curve of the undulating wall and create a gentle wash across the lawn.