A Contemporary Garden in Bristol
The client approached us to transform their new build garden located in Totterdown, Bristol. The home is a contemporary take on a Georgian townhouse. There is a high quality to the interior finishes and contemporary feel throughout, so in light of this we created for them a contemporary garden.
A balcony off the first floor living room overlooks the garden. Therefore, looking good through all seasons is paramount. Raised and ground level beds blur the boundaries, as well as climbers, hedging and specimen shrubs. Material selection for the raised beds looks to the industrial neighbours in the area. Totterdown sits above Temple Meads Railway Station. The choice of corten steel in the planters and raised beds reflects this while also giving a good depth of topsoil for planting. Moreover, the pattern of the stainless steel tension wires, installed on the fence again refers back to the industrial/railway motif.
On the ground level, double doors lead off the kitchen onto a tumbled limestone terrace, a space for outdoor dining and growing herbs. It is also importantly where the client enjoys to cook regularly on their Big Green Egg. To facilitate circulation and enjoyment of the terrace all uses were factored and incorporated into the design. From storage for cooking fuel to practicalities such as installing a water butt, making a sustainable choice for watering.
The garden is north facing and consequently a palette of lighter natural limestone paving and setts helps brighten the garden. Planting looks to an array of evergreens as well as some show stopper perennials and good old faithfuls such as lavender. A multistem Birch and Liquidambar provide vertical accents and attractive Autumn foliage. A hornbeam hedge is sandwiched between the rear fence and trough planter. This helps blur the boundary and give handsome bronze Autumn foliage. Some key shrubs are carefully sited heighten the sense of privacy while relaxing on lounge chairs at the rear of the garden.
Finally an artificial lawn has been installed previously by the developer, rather than remove this, it has been retained and incorporated into the design.
It acts as play area for visiting family as well as a pause between the planting beds either side.
MATERIALS & PRODUCTS
Limestone paving Mandarin Stone I Furniture Hay Design I Planters Adezz
Lighting In-Lite I Pots Red Mud Hut
Photography Paul Driver Paul Driver Photo
