This small garden in West London had been left in need of a complete transformation following works to build a new kitchen extension. The clients wanted to look out onto a stylish garden that complemented the contemporary finish to the interior and have a space where the family could dine, relax and play table tennis.

We decided upon a smooth hard wood deck as a contemporary way to bring the level of the garden up to the new sliding kitchen doors while creating a large enough space for dining and relaxing in the evening sun. Slatted fence panels from Jacksons were used to hide the unsightly walls and unify the space while artificial turf was a low maintenance option for creating a space for table tennis. A small gabion bench was strategically placed to catch the morning sun and provides an lovely area to enjoy a coffee and the morning papers.

Pleached ornamental peer trees (Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer') along one side of the garden create an effective screen to nearby houses and will be a mass of white blossom in spring. These were balanced by planting a multi-stemmed Amelanchier in the opposite corner for its architectural structure. Shrubs and colourful perennials will soften the space come spring/summer.

Finally, we used low voltage LED uplighters to subtly create a stylish ambiance at night, highlighting the main trees and shrubs, giving the garden a feeling of warmth, even when viewed from indoors.