Thoughtful Design for a Versatile Family Garden

This garden, currently in progress was designed with flexibility at its heart - a space that balances the needs of energetic children, sociable entertaining, and a cherished heirloom espalier apple. The challenge was to create a sense of openness while offering intimacy and privacy, making the garden feel both inviting and expansive.

To achieve this, I introduced a gentle route through the space, encouraging movement while subtly reducing overlooking. A mix of soft lines, rustic bricks, and gravel enhances texture and warmth, ensuring the garden feels welcoming in all seasons. Two carefully placed feature trees will draw the eye upwards, creating a sense of height and enclosure while offering blossom in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and sculptural form in winter.

The oval terrace maximises usable space while its curves lend a greater sense of flow and openness. Planting is deliberately low-maintenance yet rich in seasonal interest, with semi-evergreen perennials chosen for structure, texture, and shifting colour throughout the year.

Children will be drawn naturally to the whimsical stepping stones, intricate brick edgings, and the gentle movement of water, adding playful details that enrich the garden’s charm. This space is designed to grow with the family, evolving through the seasons while always feeling like home.