The space was an odd yet interestingly shaped garden, consisting primarily of lawn with good, sound fences. The client was concerned with privacy, as the houses on the opposite side of the road overlooked the front of the garden. In creative terms, the client wanted something contemporary and stylish, low maintenance, with ample space for entertaining.
The finished product is a space that is stylish and dynamic, yet at the same time warm and welcoming. To improve privacy, the entire boundary was augmented with bamboo screening. The majority of the space was laid with decking, split into sections set at angles to each other to make the most of the sun throughout the day.
The first decked area, directly outside the house, features a large hot tub spa to the left, which is shielded from view from the street by a split bamboo screen. A second area of decking runs on the left hand side down and across the space, to join a third and final area of decking towards the bottom of the garden.
A large flowerbed down the right of the space is graced with a selection of lush jungle giants, bold architectural foliage and big leafy specimens in a variety of textures. Striking bespoke stainless steel planters line the decking along the left of the space, planted with tall bamboo to provide additional screening. The slightly imposing nature of these planters is softened by the addition of Cordyline australis planted through cut-outs in the decking between one planter and the next.
The end section of decking features a beautiful stainless steel 'wall of water'. Set against the backdrop of bamboo screening, it provides an attractive and arresting focal point, whilst hiding the very bottom of the garden from view. Simple lighting, comprising low voltage spots in the bed, a line of sunken deck lights to illuminate the steel planters, and elegant steel bollards to demark the edge of the middle section of decking, serves to provide a gentle ambient wash for intimate nocturnal entertaining.
"A very big thank you to all the team at Earth Designs for transforming my garden from a dull unwelcoming space into a vibrant, contemporary living area. My requirement was to create a garden that was low maintenance and contemporary, and which reflected my taste and the style of my house.
I was seeking a garden that would work well for both entertaining in the evening and relaxing during the day. I am very pleased that my new garden works on both counts and would be pleased to recommend Earth Designs both in terms of the design and attention to detail during the installation.
I now have a fun and stylish garden which looks good both night and day and fits in well with my lifestyle."