skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Before & AfterExteriorsGardens
peterreader

From Rags to Riches –a garden story | NE London suburban modern garden

Peter Reader Landscapes
5 years ago

The client had recently purchased this 1930s detached house in Winchmore Hill, north-east London that needed an internal make-over and updating. They were in the process of gutting the house and adding a new back to it including rear facing bedrooms and wide garden facing French doors, so a garden solution was required as well and Peter Reader Landscapes was retained to provide this. The garden itself was derelict with a broken-up patio area and chunks of old concrete strip foundations through the wider space. There was also a significant slope to manage with a rise of over 2.0m over the 20m length.


The clients wanted the garden developed into a clean lined modern space with structural planting and which incorporated a good size garden office. They wanted room for outside entertaining and also an area of lawn that children could play on. The levels needed managing and rationalising to create functional terraced space and opportunities for structural planting.

The solution was to create a large patio on the back of the house for a BBQ and entertaining, and to connect this to the lawn area using wide shallow steps. The steps provided the first level change whilst keeping the lawn and patio functionally as one space. The wide steps also draw you into the wider garden and make it feel open and welcoming. The lawn area was edged with raised planters which were planted with structural semi-formal planting and also retain the level change at the boundaries that delivers the large central flat area. It was decided to use brick rather than render for the retaining wall finish, so that the look was in keeping with the era of the house. A bench is awaited to sit at the head of the lawn in the niche below the raised rear beds.




To the rear of the lawn a further set of steps leads you to the top level of the garden where a further, smaller patio sits in front of the garden gym and office. Being at the top of the garden means the office is away from potential disturbance, and also has good views over the planting, back to the house. Plant design here is semi-formal with topiary spheres and structural shrubs which add to the clean lined look of the space. In winter they will continue to give green structure. The topiary is interspersed with a mix of low maintenance perennials which will provide change and floral interest through most of the year. Finally, a multi-stem Silver Birch and beautiful Japanese Acers add height and provide the finishing touch.








Featured Answer
  • PRO
    White & Green
    5 years ago

    Lovely design. love the modern elegance of the work!

    Comments (9)

    Sponsored
    More Discussions
    Large sliding door or keep small French door and window
    30
    Proposed floor plan help please
    32
    Too much blue. what other color is right here?
    33
    How could be best layout our kitchen/diner/hallway?
    11
    Advice re updating a tiredbedroom please
    0
    United Kingdom
    Tailor my experience with cookies

    Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.