This small space, about 7 square meters, with a triangular shape in one corner, quite shaded and facing north, represented a challenge to provide beauty and interest all year. The old garden was half given up to a trampoline (as can be seen below), but as the children had outgrown it, it provided the clients the opportunity to reclaim the garden for themselves.

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Before

The garden in it's original state

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Design Solutions

The old garden had been designed to split the small space into 2 functional areas which meant that the garden had no feeling of unity of design and left the seating area small and off center. The play area was below the level of the main paved area making the garden feel darker and also highlighting the odd shape of that part of the garden.

After

Regaining both halves of the garden enabled us to design a space that provides a unified and relaxing feel to the garden. The balance of the space has been restored with the moving of the center focus to its rightful place. The low area where the trampoline sat has become raised which adds levels and interest to the structure of the space. This raised circular seating area is a perfect place to relax, surrounded on three sides by atmospheric woodland type planting. Moving the stone compass pattern to the raised area draws interest into the garden and its appearance is enhanced by the paving pattern surrounding it. The planting also serves to disguise the odd shape of the plot and gives the garden a feeling of intimacy and retreat. 
The larger ground level area now provides the perfect space for a table and chairs for outside entertainment and family meals. The surfaces of both areas are laid to Yorkstone but contain coordinating patterns designed to link the two areas together and provide a number of surface types to add interest and lighten the area.

Awards
This garden was shortlisted for the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards 2014

Construction by Living Landscapes   http://livinglandscapesuk.com/

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