Kim Graham
Garden Design Studio

Entering the garden

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Walking out of the back door you will step onto a charcoal porcelain patio which wraps around the house. This charcoal porcelain is bordered with a outdoor patterned tile.The patio area created in the south western corner of the property will receive lovely morning sun, and will be the perfect place to start the day with a cup of coffee. My suggestion would be to have a small steel table and chair set in this area.

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A space for dining and relaxation

 

Continuing the journey through the garden, you will walk down a gravel pathway which leads to another patio. This patio will receive the afternoon sun, and will be the best place to entertain, dine, or read a book. This patio will be created using the same outdoor patterned tiles which borders the patio which wraps around the house – but instead, the tiles and the charcoal porcelain will be reversed. This will help to achieve a rhythm and repetition within the garden which is important in creating a design which works. This inversion of materials is interesting and works well with the modern feel of the space.

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Thoughtful design

 

Another gravel pathway will take you to the end of the garden to where the shed and oil tank have been re-positioned. I chose to relocate these existing items as it works better with the overall journey within the garden, works better with the aesthetic of the space, and tucks them away out of direct eye sight, ensuring nothing is detracting from the feel of the garden.

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Corten steel for a modern feel

 

All the flowerbeds are raised and created using corten steel. I chose to use this material as I feel it works brilliantly within the modern feel I created in this space. I have also chosen to use patterned cotren steel screens within the beds–these screens will help to further create intrigue as the entire garden cannot be seen initially, and this evokes a feeling of wanting to explore the space, and see what it holds. The screens again add to the modern feel of the garden as they are quite architectural and break the flower beds up well. Being patterned the screens can be seen through which allows for the colour and texture of the plants behind the screen to be appreciated.

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Perennials and evergreens

 

The planting plan focuses on textural interest and architectural value over colour. The main colour palette is green and white which creates the cooling, calming effect the client is after. It is also a very modern, interesting way of creating the soft landscaping in a garden. I have chosen to keep the existing trees as they are healthy and well established and it would be a real shame to remove them.

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Contrasting colours

 

The boundary walls will be rendered with a grey textured k-rend. The grey will further create the cool,calm effect the client requires, while contrasting beautifully with the green texture of the plants, as well as the corten steel.

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Sparkling water

 

I have chosen to use a blade water feature as the sound from the cascading water will hide the sound of the traffic coming from the north eastern corner of the garden.

The blade will be framed using the same outdoor patterned tiles as used in both the patios. This will create a stunning focal point, with the long narrow raised pool adding to the cooling effect of the site.

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Useful planting

 

I have lined the north eastern corner of the property with Juniperus scopulorum'Skyrocket' to further assist in screening the traffic noise coming over the wall.These tall narrow trees are super architectural and will be a lovely, interesting focal point in this corner.

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Closing thought

 

I believe this modern design will require very little maintenance, will look impactful throughout the seasons, and will evoke a real sense of calm and peace which is perfect for the home owner.

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Design and write up by Kim Graham