This urban garden is my own, giving me the opportunity to test ideas, materials and planting combinations in a real, lived-in setting. Previously, the space was largely tarmacked, with a small sloping lawn and a few tired roses. The challenge was to turn a narrow garden wrapping around the house into a sequence of useful, atmospheric spaces.
My design thinking was to step the ground, create clearer zones and use strong geometry softened by layered planting. A terrace beside the kitchen looks down onto a formal brick water feature, with a raised pool, bubbling jet and copper water blade bringing movement and sound into the garden. Reclaimed brick, paving, gravel, willow hurdles and climbing plant supports help the design feel crafted rather than over-designed.
Beyond the lawn, a productive vegetable garden and lean-to greenhouse make practical use of the sunny boundary, while shrubs, perennials, climbers, fruit and seasonal flowers create a green, wildlife-friendly backdrop.
“Designing my own garden allowed me to experiment with the same care, discipline and imagination I bring to every client project.”
