London Garden Designer: Garden of the Month November 2013

See what this London Garden Designer has been up to this week…

One design follows a stylish, contemporary theme. Emphasis has been placed on the wow-factor with a simple yet bold planting scheme complemented by dynamic hard landscaping.

The central feature of the garden, and one of its main focal points, will be a large sunken decorative pool. Lined with copper glass tiles to give the water warm glow, the pool is sure to draw the eye at any time.

To the right of the pool will be a large expansive patio area, providing ample room for lounge seating and dining. Surfaced with a resin bound aggregate, and edged with black slate, this patio will be framed by a long, high feature wall. Constructed from concrete blocks and finished with unusual V-Tile slate tiling with copper glass tile detailing, this wall will give the seating area a sense of seclusion and privacy.

Three copper pipe spouts installed in a vertical line within the feature wall will pour into a shallow rill bisecting the paving to feed the main pool. This step-over rill will be finished in copper glass tiles and edged with V-slate tiles (sloping into the rill).

Large slate stepping stones will allow access across the pool to the rear of the space. A large rectangular lawn will be edged with Addastone aggregate pathways, leading on the right to the proposed studio and playroom. To the left, the path will feature a series of ornamental arches constructed from attractive and durable Western Red Cedar timber. The path will lead to a small Addastone patio adjoining the rear boundary, which will benefit from a pergola, also constructed from Western Red Cedar. The pergola will form the support frame foe a stunning solid copper elliptical swing seat. A low feature wall, echoing the large wall in the main seating area, will run along the front of the lawn to provide a sense of screening and demarcation between the two separate sections of the space.

The left hand and rear boundary fences will be replaced with bespoke fencing comprising a combination of 90cm high shiplap panelling with a further 90cm of continuous vertical slats above. A line of pleached hornbeams will create a simple yet sophisticated screen along the boundaries, underplanted with oval-leaved privet hedges. Zantedeshia lilies will be planted around the pool edge, with box balls planted in tapered slate planters will maintain the simplicity of planting.  A small shed tucked in the corner of the garden beyond the playroom will provide discreet storage.