A pick-me up for difficult times

Year of completion
2019
Location
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Landscape Contractor
J & S Scapes

A new project with an old client, shortly after a move and a couple of feet through rotting decking boards later, they realised it was time to give me a call to review their new larger outside space. ​​​​​​​

The garden consisted of little more than the poorly designed high level decking leading directly off their main dining space, and a very uneven lawn sloping in two directions. The redeeming feature was a lovely unspoilt view across the Chilterns.​​​​​​​

A 1.5 metre drop out of the back of the house was the main challenge to overcome in the design. There were planning constraints related to the position of the previous deck, but I wanted to create an easier navigation down to the garden for all of the family, and more than just one area of use.

My concept involved a series of platforms to break the journey – a main terrace outside of the bifolds to enlarge the living space on warmer days; a middle platform for laid-back comfortable seating; and a lower platform for dining. ​​​​​​

To resolve the uneven terrain I split the garden into two level lawns, separated by a bank which is home to dynamic and colourful perennial planting which has taken centre stage, with a softer native wildflower meadow bordering the garden perimeter.

Composite decking

At the end of the garden a secondary seating area provides a different perspective, taking you out to the view.

The brief was to improve access to the garden and create additional areas of use – tick.

Slightly unexpected to the client has been the joy and inspiration that has come from opening the curtains everyday to a changing planting through the seasons, a real pick-me-up during an unusual 2020 of lockdowns. They now love to share the garden with friends and family, and have an ever improving knowledge of plants. Job done.

Corten steel walls and glass balustrade
Large drifts of herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses

We have worked with Jamie on two projects, and we can’t recommend him highly enough. For each design careful consideration was given to our needs, requirements and budgets. We loved that he used his creativity and knowledge to provide us with stunning gardens. For our current garden there isn’t a single person who visits us whose jaw doesn’t drop! His incredible use of landscaping, additional textures and innovative planting provides us with constant joy! We have only to look out at our garden and feel inspired, and happy.”

LAJWANT & JAN
Naturalistic planting design