‘Freddy translated our vision for the garden into a truly beautiful design and guided our contractors through the building/planting process, creating a wonderful space which our family has enjoyed ever since. It seems as if the garden has always existed in this form, such is the harmony between its design and the architecture/age of the house. Freddy continues to advise us as the planting matures and changes, and we couldn't be happier with the result.’ Kath Coar

An imposing Edwardian villa recently renovated and extended. Our clients asked us to design a garden more in sympathy with their period property. A triangular plot positioned at the intersection of two roads, the main garden felt pinched, and we were asked to visually widen, and soften the embankments on either side of the lawn without compromising privacy.  The desired aesthetic was Arts & Crafts. 

The property’s relationship with its outside space required improvement. Its elevated position overlooking the main garden prevented meaningful dialogue. To interface the two, we introduced a wide stone terrace and lily pond, with a handsome set of steps to the side leading into the garden.  

A combination of stone and clay pavers creates an artisanal feel throughout. The terrace is surrounded by planting beds. Osmanthus x burkwoodii domes accentuate formality and contrast with the borders’ soft, romantic planting scheme of blues, purples and pinks. Privacy is enhanced and noise mitigated by five small evergreen trees to either side of the terrace.

A visual axis has been created from drawing room windows, across the terrace and into the garden: linking the terrace, lily pond, ornamental fountain and water tank below. The lawn, redefined in rectilinear form, visually widens the garden.  All in situ retaining structures (railway sleepers) were removed from the boundary borders and replaced by graded embankments. Planting, a blend of flowering shrubs and semi-evergreen grasses, disguise the garden’s odd shape and re-calibrate its internal lines. The axis leads the eye to rest upon the white garden, situated within a semi-circular formal evergreen hedge. A curving path in clay pavers divides the planting: a palette of whites, creams, soft peaches, and greens. Hydrangeas and Roses play leading roles here: a pool of brightness beneath the flowering Cherries in the background. 

To the side, we redesigned the south-facing walled courtyard. A pond, with fountain jets, combined with pruned Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ encourage sensations of coolness and calm. The planting palette here is inspired by the Mediterranean.