Garden Design - Victoria Park, London E9
This design aims to make the most of the space available by utilising as many levels in the garden as possible.
The raised terrace directly outside the lounge will be decked with attractive Western Red Cedar decking, and bounded on its open sides with Red Cedar balustrades. A flight of steps, constructed from Red Cedar, climbs to a decked platform approximately 2.2 metres above ground level. Equipped with an L-shaped fixed bench seat constructed from Red Cedar decking, this platform will be enclosed by Red Cedar balustrade for safety and will afford superb views of the common beyond. The platform will also support a Red Cedar pergola, upon which a variety of fast growing climbers would be trained to both soften the shape of the structure and offer shelter from the summer sun.
From the house level deck terrace, a second set of steps lead one to the main garden below. These steps will be flanked on either side by flush level beds, each containing a single standard Hydrangea on a stem. To the left of the steps a 1.8m high rendered block wall will conceal a metal motorcycle storage shed housed in the space below the decked platform. This storage unit will be large enough to house one large motorcycle and will come equipped with an interior light and a hasp and padlock for additional security.
The existing gate will be removed and a new gate installed in the far left corner, to allow access from the common to the motorcycle shed and rest of the garden. The space left by the removal of the existing gate will be repaired with the bricks and fence slats removed to accommodate the new gate. The entire fence will be prepared and stained/painted in a colour of the client's choosing.
The main area of the garden will feature formal lay (grid-pattern) paving in 300mm x 300mm African multi-colour slate tiles. A low, rendered block, raised bed will run the width of the garden along the back fence. This bed will contain a variety of planting and will feature three high cuboid frames constructed from Western Red Cedar, upon which a selection of climbing plants will be trained. The frames will also provide anchor points for three printed weatherproof fabric 'banners', which can be added or removed as required for added privacy or ornamentation.
A 1.8m high rendered block wall will be built on the boundary with the next door neighbour's garden. Both this wall, the raised bed and the wall masking the motorcycle shed will be painted a bold and eye-catching Aubergine. Planting in the space will be soft, blousy and romantic, with a palette of whites, soft pinks and lilac, chosen to off-set the richness of the Aubergine walls. Peonies and scented roses serve to soften the scheme, while standard specimens will help to provide a little structure and rhythm. The abundance of vertical surfaces in the space will also allow ample opportunity to include a variety of showy climbers. All planted areas will be finished with an attractive plum slate mulch.
To ensure that the garden can be enjoyed well into the summer nights, a selection of ambient lighting will be installed. This will include low voltage spot lights throughout the beds, positioned to highlight specific specimens while providing a gentle ambient wash. Stainless steel recessed lights set into the side of the raised bed walls will offer low level lighting across the paving, while rope lights strung across the treads of both sets of steps will illuminate one's journey upwards through the space. The decked platform will benefit from soft, non-intrusive lighting in the form of several sets of pea lights to cover the pergola posts and cross-beams. Further pea lights will also outline the three timber frames in the raised beds below.