Garden Design - Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9
The Brief
The existing garden is on a very steep slope, with the end of the space approximately 4 metres higher than ground level beside the house. The current layout of the garden makes it very difficult to use and enjoy, and the client seeks to remedy this by staging and terracing the garden into a more user-friendly space.
The Solution
The existing patio adjoining the house will be widened and paved with durable 'Mint Fossil' Indian sandstone in a random lay style, to create a richly patterned, light- and airy-feeling space suitable for al fresco dining and entertaining. A thick rendered block wall will be constructed to retain the garden above, and will form the back rest for an attractive Iroko hardwood topped fixed bench seat. A slight return on this bench will form the side of wide, grand looking set of steps leading to the garden above. The current narrow space adjacent to the left-hand side of the house will also be widened to accommodate the inclusion of a bbq area. A lavender hedge, planted in the ground along the top of the retaining wall, will offer scented seclusion to the seating area, whilst allowing the rest of the garden to be viewed from the house.
Entering the second tier of the garden via the steps, the user will traverse a decking pathway running diagonally up the space. To the right of this walkway will be a expanse of lawn, retained where necessary by a low rendered block wall to create a level surface for games, sunbathing and relaxation. Various flush level and banked beds will enclose the lawn and walkway. The decking walkway leads to a 2 metre diametre circle of decking, situated a third of the way up the garden on the left hand side. This area will be given an additional 'wow' factor with the inclusion of a high, arced rendered block wall, painted deep Aubergine to inject some colour into the space. For additional interest and dressing, the decked circle could benefit from the inclusion of large pots housing strong architectural plants.
A second decked walkway leads diagonally across the space, stepped halfway to allow for the change in levels, to a larger decked circle, measuring approximately 4m diameter. This decked circle will form the main seating/dining area for the garden, it's size creating an impressive yet functional multi-use space. A large contemporary bower covering this circle will constitute one of the main focal points to the garden. Similar to a gazebo or pergola, in that it allows plants to climb whilst enabling views of the landscape beyond, this spherical structure will give the user a sense of privacy while allowing ample sunlight through to the decking below. This structure offers a wide range of entertaining possibilities, and could be used to support hanging seating should the client so wish.
A further decked walkway will pass diagonally up the space to the top left corner. Flanked on both sides by banked planting beds, it will allow access to two level lawns similar to those on the terrace below, one either side of the walkway. Due to the difference in levels, the lawn to the left of the walkway will necessarily be lower than the lawn on the right. The walkway terminates in a final decked circle of similar size to the first circle described above. This area of decking is designed to provide a perfect spot for total relaxation, and would benefit from the inclusion of sunloungers or comfortable seating such as steamer chairs or outdoor sofas, which would be ideally placed to watch the sunset on clear summer nights.
Planting in the space will vary in different areas, but will be given a sense of consistency through the choice of a common colour scheme of purples, deep reds and oranges. Progressing from the lavender hedge in the area adjoining the house, the planting will gradually become less formal, with the inclusion of several trees at the end of the space. The middle terrace area will house home large architectural specimens, interspersed with herbaceous flowering plants to give depth and colour throughout the seasons, and evergreen shrubs sitting alongside flowering perennials to ensure year round interest.
All boundaries will remain as they are. The existing privet hedge will be softened and complimented by terraced beds running along the length of the boundary. The fence running along the end boundary is sound and needs no attention, and although the boundary to the right of the space is not in the best condition, it does provide good coverage, and can be obscured by judicious planting in the beds.
The lighting will be strong and dynamic throughout the space. Starting from the bottom, we will see bollard lights installed at intervals along the top of the retaining wall in the seating and barbeque areas. LED deck lights set into the risers of all steps throughout the design will ensure safe passage from one level to the next, whilst attractive chain lighting running underneath the decking walkways and round the circumference of each circle will guide one's journey through the length of the garden. Each circle will benefit from additional lighting in the form of LED walkover lights set into the tops of certain boards to highlight each disc. Low voltage spotlights set throughout the beds add a general atmospheric wash, while serving to highlight individual specimen plants. Feature lighting installed on the vertical of the curved rendered wall will serve to highlight any ornamentation below. Finally, the strong architectural form of the bespoke bower will be accentuated by flush level and over-head lighting.