Garden Design/Using a designer

6 months ago

Having built a single storey extension we are now ready to have the garden landscaped and patio built. We have been recommended a garden designer who we have engaged and will pay for his designs as a design package. He has presented two designs, neither that we particularly “love” although there are elements which we like. We realise that we have probably left the brief too wide. We are trying to find further inspiration online before we have a review meeting. The garden slopes from right to left by about half a meter, is south-west facing. We don’t have an unlimited budget but appreciate that whatever we do will add value to the property.

Ideally we would like the patio to be flush with the bifold doors and are considering composite decking and porcelain paving.

For any designers out there, what things do you wish your clients would consider before engaging your services?

I am struggling to find gardens/patios on line with similar slopes for inspiration.

Any ideas?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

arc3d
6 months ago
Hi Louise,

Might be more productive to post pictures of the proposed designs, explain why you don't love the them and then get feedback from this forum?
Louise King thanked arc3d
Sonia
6 months ago
Forgot to add a pictures of Himalayan Silver Birches!
Related Discussions
Garden design help needed
Q
Comments (44)
This thread was started by minnie101 in March and her comments at the end of May indicated she may have been by then well advanced in the planning if not the implementation. Doesn't that make suggestions for clearing and early stage design the following January somewhat posthumous? Changing topic to a piece orf growing advice for minnie101: we are now in a new year with a new growing season coming up. Instead of buying new lavendar plants to replace those which are getting leggy annd unkempt, why not look up how to take cuttings from those you have and replace with newly grown, free plants of your own? This will not only work with lavendar but with a huge variety of herbacious plants as well as most shrubs andd, if you have the patience to wait for the results, trees. You need some cheap plastic plant pots and some compost. A trowel would be useful. But you could even use an old spoon from the kitchen and a few empty yoghurt, margarine or other empty, washed packaging tubs with a couple of holes punched in the bottom for drainage. Here's an offer for all you Houzzer folk. If enough people would like to learn how getting free plants from your own cuttings works, I shall write an article for you and post it with a few pictures or drawings for clarity, here on the Houzz site if I can find out where to put it!
...See More
I'm looking for design fance in garden and design with roof conservato
Q
Comments (1)
Hi @elmoursymohamed, I'd love to see some images of the space if you have any?
...See More
Garden design - help please.
Q
Comments (20)
I agree with the others about removing the small bushes - as it will open the garden up and let light in. I shared this picture to show how much impact a very narrow border can give. I planted it all white - but I have lovely coloured borders too :) My advice would be to get on with it. This only took 14 months to get this established, and plants/borders can easily be moved! Good luck. Also - a circle around the bottom of your beautiful tree would allow for a great and simple splash of colour, either for spring bulbs and perennials or bedding plants!
...See More
Garden Design ideas for a medium sized garden
Q
Comments (13)
Ok, it’s been a little while since we left off on the garden project, however as we’re approaching spring we’re keen to get the space cleaned up for spring. To open up the space we’ve removed the middle two bar fence and relocated the beech hedging to the screen the remaining fencing. The aim being to create more privacy and blend into the landscape behind. To add security we was thinking of adding gravel and rockery / water feature (not pond) to the righthand side near the gate. Opposite create a gravel area for the stone bench and dot a few ball shrubs and a Victorian lamp for interest. Uplighter’s will be used to illuminate the hedge. In the main section of the garden add one or two trees on the section on the righthand side to create some privacy from the neighbours line of sight into the bench area. Thereafter add more ball shrubs, lupine and foxgloves to create height. Apply a horizontal slat fence (painted a muted sage green) to tidy up the bad side of the existing fence. All borders will be edged with a slim red brick to match the house and make it easier for moving. Finally to mask the shed, introduce some rose bushes and lavender.
...See More
PRO
Gerbera Designs (Garden Design)
6 months ago
Hi Louise. You should tell your designer the ideas that you love and the ones that you don't like. Design is an evolving process. If your designer has presented concept designs initially then this is a point of discussion for you all going forward to the final design. I get my clients to fill out a questionnaire and also set up Pinterest mood boards for each of my clients before I even start drawing anything. You could also use Houzz for mood boards. Hope this helps. Regards Joanne
Louise King
Original Author
6 months ago
Thank you Joanne...that’s helpful. We’ve done some sketches and put together some pictures of what we like and from that we now have some further designs which are a great point for the design to evolve from. It is such a financial investment that we want to get it right.
PRO
Neil Jones Design
5 months ago
I always agree a written brief with clients before embarking on the design process and where possible provide some examples of gardens you or like or similarly don’t like, to help the designer build up a picture of what you are seeking to achieve. It’s important to choose a designer whose style you associate with and admire in order to get a best fit from the design process. Good communication between all parties is key throughout the process so I’d encourage an open discussion and hopefully your designer can respond positively to your comments.

More Discussions

Home bar decorating ideas

Ideas for shaping unusually shaped room.

kitchen appliance

Any ideas on the best way to achieve open plan kitchen diner?

Advice on Replacing Over the Island Pendants

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience using cookies

By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. Learn more.

Garden Design/Using a designer

Comments (5)

arc3d

Sonia

Related Discussions

Gerbera Designs (Garden Design)

Louise KingOriginal Author

Neil Jones Design

Louise King
Original Author