Dear Esther Jury, thank you very much for such a detailed response. First and foremost, we think alike. My deck will definitely be at the same level of my window threshold. Given the practical reasons due to varying ground levels and also not to make it look too, how should I put it, stocky, I am going to have a floating deck. Think Frank Lloyd Wright cantilevered decks like the kind in his Falling Water house (can figure out my adoration for him from my moniker). I have researched thoroughly about woods, composites, value for price and have decided to go with Iroko. It supposedly ages into a beautiful dark brown. Today, my old architect suggested cladding with Iroko for retaining walls and steps. Very interesting idea. Have to explore the durability of the wood for such use. I too love my garden/forest. Can you believe I am 5 minutes from the City centre and I don't see a soul and have fox and their cubs bask in the sun on wintery morning and all types of birds floating about. It fills me with serenity and I am grateful for it and hence why I dwell so long on choices, so I get it right and don't take anything away from its beauty.

You’ve done a great job! Although I hope there’s a plan to sort out the rickety steps (they look a bit of a death trap). I kinda like the denuded trees and agree with keeping them for privacy. For planting underneath you’ll need plants for dry shade as the trees will suck up a lot of moisture, some good suggestions on these sites: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/20-plants-for-dry-shade/ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=430 I’d perhaps go for a mixture of ferns, foxgloves, primulas, a creeping ground cover and pop a few spring flowering bulbs underneath. Stonecrop (lots of variations) is another plant that should cope well with little or no attention. Hope this helps a little.

Hi ED, Thanks! Yep the eye of faith is crucial with winter garden makeovers! It'll be loads more plant dominated in a year or two. There's already a pump in the pond, which works as a standalone fountain, but can be adapted to power a cascade on the wall behind. We're having all sorts of whacky ideas like building a 'marble run' style sculpture incorporating all our favourite things, (archaeology, sci fi etc) or a commissioned metal sculpture that looks like a steel version of Virginia creeper.

Had some thoughts about your garden and came up with a rough sketch:) (see pic). Decking outside the garden office would look nice but I’m not sure about bringing it all the way to the house as decking can take a fair amount of maintenance although you can get composite decking or slabs that look like wood which would probably be easier to look after. I think breaking it up and having some planting would be nice and more pleasing to look at. So on the sketch I brought the decking to surround the office windows then added a small seating area and space for planting which could include a small pond or water feature. This could be like a contemplation area where you can relax and have a tea break:) Instead of decking pathway I think slabs or tiles to match the patio would be better. The patio I’ve kept as is but extended a little to include bbq area. Did think that putting the bbq on the right side of patio might be good as well. Put in some extra planting areas but that’s just because I like plants:) planting pocket is basically a hole in the deck but some tall grasses or similar with lighting would look great on the left side of the office and help to balance things out. Not sure on a pergola mainly because I think adding another tall structure on the left would make that side of the garden seem overly busy but it’s entirely up to you what you want. Anyway hope this gives you some fresh ideas:) P.s. sketch is not to scale.