Venue published Garden to reflect

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As garden designers, we often get calls from existing customers asking for alterations, or additions to their gardens. As yet, we haven't had a call from a new owner, asking us to rip out one of our designs but it is inevitable that it will happen one day!

Garden styles evolve and customers have widely varied needs. We get plenty of calls from people with young families, where a garden is full of steep steps and hard edges which need softening. However, there are plenty of customers who play out the whole family cycle from fledgling chicks to empty nest, without moving house.

During this time the garden evolves to the rapidly changing needs of a growing family. Out go the sand pit and plastic toys; in come the climbing frame and trampoline, until suddenly, one day, a calm descends on the garden and the kids have started to move out.

At this point, the garden takes on a different prospect. Of course, children will always be back for extended visits, but at this stage in life, with extra time available, the outdoor space presents a new challenge.

Maybe that challenge is to finally get that veg bed sorted out, or indulge in a new pond, and get the garden just the way you want it. Many people want a space that they can enjoy with minimal extra maintenance.

In this garden, pictured, we approached the design to include repositioning an existing pond, which had seen better days. Our clients wanted plenty of space for planting, but to include a small lawn.

One side of the garden had been slightly raised and, because the garden was walled, we were able to create a decent raised bed using reclaimed Victorian bricks. At the point where this wall approaches the house, we built a semi-circular brick seat surrounding a small circular patio. The seat is just big enough to seat the family of four people snugly. It is next to the rear patio doors, so works well for the occasional quick morning coffee, or an evening sundowner.

Adjacent to this paving we fitted a deck which runs up to the back doors. The whole garden was raised 150mm during the construction and the deck now slopes gently down from the house.

We also refurbished the existing rear patio, changing the shape from square to quarter circle using matching bricks to define the shape. Raising the garden helped to reduce the step up to this paved area.

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Venue published Garden to reflect