We won the contract! There were a few of us in the running for this project, Essex Garden Co. and three other companies. We were lucky enough to win the design and build and I’m so pleased we did as Zowie was an absolute dream to work with.
Main features:
• Porcelain Paving
• Composite Decking
• Glass Balustrades
• Artificial turf
• Corten Edging
• Pergola
• Lighting
• Planting
Client objective: Zowie’s vision was to have numerous areas to relax and entertain with another seating area outside her office outbuilding at the bottom of the garden.
The challenge: The landscape was on a slope and we already knew that levels were going to have to be introduced. The existing patio was 700mm higher than the rest of the garden and we wanted to keep the level with the kitchen floor and suggested using composite decking @PGR and glass balustrades. This area was extended by 1.2m to recess the steps down to the mid-level.
Solution: We designed an ‘evening’ patio on the mid-level which receives the evening sun and a great view over the rest of the garden. A louvered aluminium pergola with louver feature screen was installed over porcelain paving by London Stone. The lower section leads down to Zowie’s outbuilding/office where we introduced a matching composite decking area. Composite feature screens were added in two places within the garden to add interest and a backdrop to the planting scheme and stunning lighting design.
Repeated feature: At the end of each level, blockwork was installed and porcelain paving cut down to 300mm for a feature coping and upstand which really sets off the rest of the garden.
Lights, lights, lights: The lighting scheme, incorporating bollard lights and uplighters, exquisitely elevates the look and feel of this garden as dusk falls. Zowie’s Buddha which sits proudly next to the ‘evening’ patio was also illuminated.
Spot on planting: A huge Olive tree was added at the end of the paving which looks beautiful when lit up at night. Portuguese Laurel hedging was planted alongside the fence by her office with 40-50cm tall Euonymus hedging framing the lower borders. A mixture of shrubs for all year interest plus 18 different variety of perennials were added to pack out the borders with colour during the summer months.