This client in Leytonstone, East London has lived in their house for a number of years. They have a two-year-old son and wish to make their existing garden more child friendly. A keen gardener, the client has bought plants to try and spruce up the existing space. The difficult site is the deck to the balcony limits access to the garden. An unsightly shed dominates the back right hand corner and a decommissioned rockery to the left of this adds little interest.

The new garden design seeks to provide something for all the family. This will include a barrier distracted from stainless steel tension wire to allow an airy feel to the garden beyond. Terracotta troughs positioned in this area will have several different herbs, annuals or trailing strawberries.

The existing magnolia tree will remain, and the whole level of the existing garden will drop meaning less steps. A large paved area below the existing decking, will allow for the client’s existing table and chairs to be cited. Constructed from randomly sandstone, it was bandwidth of the garden and the edged in black limestone sets. The area underneath the decking platform, will be utilised for storage, with bifold cantilever doors to allow ease of access. A second patio in plum slate laid in a stretcher course, will allow for some loungers or outdoor beanbags to be cited. From this point two axes down the path will allow the user to reach the bottom of the garden. The first is the sandstone path which stretches down the garden dogleg, and allows access to garden shed. The second is via a series of oak cubes increasing in height along the
planting bed, apexing in the centre and then decreasing as they head down towards the bottom right hand side of the garden. In the bottom right hand corner of the garden, it is laid with astroturf with timber block raised beds binding it on three sides. A chunky oak frame pergola sits above it to allow for a swing seat and other play equipment. Two timber block raised vegetable beds sit at the bottom of the garden where a flush bed allows for some planting against the back wall.

Planting in the space, is deep and sensuous. Mainly based around purples pinks with silvery foliage and loss evergreens, it seeks to offer seasonal as well as year round interest to the whole garden. Climbers will be trained agains the fences as well as the stainless steel wires acting as a barrier. Are her bed at the foot of the stairs, complements the troughs to be placed on the upper terrace.