Bringing the Outside In

Client:

Residential Back Garden, Gerrards Cross

The clients wanted to create an elegant, relaxing space that also dealt with some practical issues. The back of the house is raised up and they wanted a safe exit from the lounge sliding doors and dining room patio doors.

I was keen to capitalise on the addition of raised decking that runs along the full width of the house to bring the feeling of the garden into the house. Planters were therefore added along the length of the decking so the view from the house is of planting rather than lawn and hedge.

Planting has been added around the raised dining terrace to create a softer feel and a new gravelled firepit seating area, also surrounded by planting, was added to provide an area for sundowners.

New trees add biodiversity and seasonal interest throughout the garden.

Evening sun terrace

This area is the perfect place for a drink whilst watching the sun go down. Once it gets a bit chilly the fire-pit can be lit and you can sit out long into the evening. Pleached Liquidambar trees create privacy and lush planting makes you feel embedded in nature

Beautiful shade loving planting

This area was previously an unused area of lawn next to the garage - now a beautiful lush planting area to complement the updated dining space

Bringing the Outside In

Planters have been added on the new raised deck so the view from the lounge is of pretty planting rather than the top of a hedge

Smart, safe new exit from the lounge to the garden

A new raised deck was added to provide an easy, safe route out from the lounge and dining room to the garden. Planters provide an opportunity for seasonal interest near the house

Design details

Design details like this corten screen with a climber trailing up it make all the difference to the final finish!

Before and After - Dining Space

An old, uneven patio has been replaced with a sleek new terrace and planting added to create a more relaxing feel. Prunus Spire trees create privacy along the fence line and stepping stones lead down from the new decked terrace to the dining terrace

Before and After - Decked Terrace

An old, dangerous, impractical set of steps leading out from the house have been replaced by a smart, low-maintenance composite deck with balustrade. There is space to sit on the deck for a morning coffee, and long steps that wrap around the corner bring you down into the rest of the garden

Bringing the Outside In

Raised planters on the decked terrace bring the feeling of being in the garden into the living space

Dining Terrace View

Stepping stones lead down to the dining terrace, which is surrounded by summer flowering shrubs and perennials

Firepit View

A relaxing spot, ideal for sundowners and sitting out into the evening enjoying the peace and quiet

Bird's Eye View

A new deck running along the full width of the back of the house provides a safe exit from the living and dining rooms, and an opportunity to link the garden to the house