A Grand London Garden Designed with Contemporary Lines and Classic Evergreen Structure

"From our first meeting with Nick and Doug we knew we were in safe hands! We had quite a clear idea of how we wanted to be able to use and enjoy the garden, but with no idea on how to make the vision a reality! We had no reason to worry, Doug and Nick worked closely with us to ensure all of our requirements, (and many more!), were incorporated into their design.

The team they work with are all excellent and a pleasure to have around. One of the main things we wanted to achieve was that the garden felt like an extension of interior - and they certainly achieved that! It was, and continues to be, an absolute pleasure working with Nick and Doug - we can’t recommend them highly enough!' - Sarah & James TW9

Now, when it comes to garden transformations, this has to be in our top 10. Our Instagram went crazy when we posted the ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots, and we hope you can see why!

When we first arrived at this impressive period property, which overlooks Kew Green in Richmond, the interior design had recently been completed and now it was time for the garden to receive similar treatment.

The owners asked us to design a garden that reflected their own classic-contemporary style, and their love of both formal lines and evergreen structure. Having direct access to the Green, the children had plenty of space for ball games, so the clients wanted the garden to be very much a place to entertain and relax with family and friends.

The garden has a large dining terrace next to the house with modular table and chairs that can seat up to twelve, and a wonderful BBQ unit with grill, oven and work surface. This terrace is also heated, meaning it can be used throughout the year.

Leading off from this terrace, the garden goes up a level onto a wide ‘L’ shaped path paved with Dutch pavers. We chose these pavers not only to give variety to the hard landscaping, but also to reflect the impressive brick façade of the property itself.

Focal points are always an essential element in any garden, and here, as the visitor walks along this path, they see a large Romanesque zinc water fountain in front of an evergreen Yew hedge. The soothing sound of the cascading water creates a lovely ambience heard throughout the garden.

Perhaps the key feature of this design are the stone cladded raised beds.

They divide the different areas within the design and are enhanced further with the planting of evergreen hedging, both at the base and within the beds themselves. T he beds are also capped with the same stone and are wide enough to perch on, if so desired.

The planting of these beds was kept simple, in that they are all planted with the same combination of Achillea, Salvia and Astrantia for the summer months, with the addition of many Spring bulbs and purple Alliums for late spring/early summer.

As shown above, we also planted large Amelanchier trees in each of the raised beds. These wonderful trees are covered in snowy white blossom in spring, have a attractive leaves in summer, and turn bright red and orange in the autumn.

To the rear of the garden is a sunken seating area and the bespoke garden room.

As you can see, we love this part of the garden! The clients very much wanted a more secluded area in which they could chill after dinner. This was achieved not only by the choice of planting, but also by lowering the ground level and using attractive decking. The feature wall behind us is made up of four large ceramic Corten steel-effect tiles that are up lit at night to great effect.

The garden room, which we painted grey to form a great backdrop to the garden, is divided into three rooms. To the left is a playroom for the children; the centre is for storage and the right houses the gym.

And at night, the garden takes on a whole new personality.

At twilight…..