Winslow is a classically beautiful village in the heart of rolling Buckinghamshire countryside. This little Victorian terrace cottage is in a quiet back street in the older part of the village. The house was in the process of being renovated by its new owner who understandably wanted the garden redesigned at the same time.
Even allowing for the builders materials the garden was in much need of work. It was laid to a broken concrete and gravel surface and had a horrible bright orange fence running along its full length. These made the space feel small and thin, as well as being plain ugly in their own right. The garden was blessed though with some lovely old brick walls, and two characterful old brick buildings; one of which was the old privy. Finally accessed through a door at the side of the end of the garden is a hidden grass and shrub filled plot which is not used by anyone.

Before

The view from the rear of the house

View from the garden back up to the house

Design Solutions

The client was installing new wider French windows at the back of the house and wanted a relaxing garden view from inside, together with an area for seating and eating by the house. The client was also keen to link the garden into the house by the use of Victorian tiling for the seating area.

After

The space immediately outside the French windows provided the perfect spot for midday sun and the entertaining area; particularly with the use of the Victorian style tiles, which are also used in the house. It was important to make the space feel larger and to provide interest. This has been achieved by the introduction of different levels within the space by the use of new raised planting beds. These are constructed from brick and blend beautifully with the old brick walls. Planting has been carefully chosen to provide interest all year round. The raised planters also divide the garden into two rooms with a further paved patio nestling against the shed at the bottom. Dark grey sandstone pavers make a stepping stone pathway that entices you out into the garden and leads you to the bottom patio, finished in the same stone. The stepping stones 'float' in a bed of gravel which provides a soft contrast to the harder tiles and is punctuated by flowering ground cover plants. Sadly the orange fence is owned by the neighbour who has declined it being changed for a more attractive design. It was therefore painted in a soft stone colour that lightens the space, makes the fence more attractive and blends nicely with the other colours in the garden. At the bottom of the garden the ugly old gate to the 'hidden garden' has been replaced with a new door that has a bespoke designed metal grill window panel that allows a view out, creating a 'borrowed extra garden' next door. Finally the old brick buildings have been renovated and are now used for storage. Their woodwork and that of the side door are painted in a rich grey which provides an excellent foil to the green of the plants, but also fades gently into the background, making the garden feel larger.