My Garden: A Magical Small Garden Behind a 1930s Terrace
Lush plants, architectural finds and an exotic garden room have turned a patch of ‘soggy grass’ into an urban sanctuary
Lush planting, architectural finds and an exotic garden room have turned some ‘soggy grass’ into an urban sanctuary
“It’s the kind of garden I’d like to explore,” said Isabelle Palmer, founder of The Balcony Gardener and one of our expert judges at the Houzz and ES London Home Design Awards.
Her words refer to this gorgeous urban oasis, which won the best garden category and was created by homeowner Simon Hurst. Here, he explains how he transformed his plain city plot into a luscious retreat, complete with a Moroccan-style garden room.
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“It’s the kind of garden I’d like to explore,” said Isabelle Palmer, founder of The Balcony Gardener and one of our expert judges at the Houzz and ES London Home Design Awards.
Her words refer to this gorgeous urban oasis, which won the best garden category and was created by homeowner Simon Hurst. Here, he explains how he transformed his plain city plot into a luscious retreat, complete with a Moroccan-style garden room.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
The garden room, attached to the rear of the house, started out as a veranda. “I inherited a big expanse of decking, installed by the previous owner, which reached the end of its life a couple of years ago,” Simon says.
“I went on holiday to Morocco and returned with 15 lamps and lots of other objects I had no space for,” he recalls. “So I decided to create a glazed, Moroccan-style veranda with loads of lamp sockets.”
Simon installed huge timber sliding doors, made as a kit by a local joiner, that disappear into the side frames to open up the view. “I used Edwardian cast-iron brackets from a local junk shop to support the roof, and I installed underfloor heating beneath the tiled floor,” he says.
Sliding timber doors, Beechhall Joinery. Floor tiles, Mosaic del Sur.
“I went on holiday to Morocco and returned with 15 lamps and lots of other objects I had no space for,” he recalls. “So I decided to create a glazed, Moroccan-style veranda with loads of lamp sockets.”
Simon installed huge timber sliding doors, made as a kit by a local joiner, that disappear into the side frames to open up the view. “I used Edwardian cast-iron brackets from a local junk shop to support the roof, and I installed underfloor heating beneath the tiled floor,” he says.
Sliding timber doors, Beechhall Joinery. Floor tiles, Mosaic del Sur.
At one end sits a corner sofa, which Simon constructed himself. “I made it from 4 x 2in timber, with bun feet from eBay, and the top is rugs wrapped around bed mattresses,” he says.
Simon even went back to Marrakesh to buy more rugs and plates, and while there he had a rug made into big cushions.
Rugs on sofa, John Lewis.
Need some help with a joinery project? Find carpenters and joiners in your area
Simon even went back to Marrakesh to buy more rugs and plates, and while there he had a rug made into big cushions.
Rugs on sofa, John Lewis.
Need some help with a joinery project? Find carpenters and joiners in your area
In the garden, Simon has created different zones and paths throughout the space. “It’s broken up into a large cobbled central circle with diagonal paths in York stone slabs. These lead to different zones and give a false sense of perspective,” he explains.
He used a variety of different-sized cobbles and slabs to add interest to the garden, with plants spilling over the edges of the paving to soften the look.
The lush planting helps create a secluded feeling in the urban space. “I like a somewhat jungly feel, with plants growing into or through each other,” Simon says.
A trellis provides a backdrop for climbing plants, such as jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle and miniature ivy, while a few larger shrubs, including Fatsia japonica, bay and Pittosporum add height. The low-level planting includes ferns, which work well in the shade of the taller varieties.
Metal table and chairs, Outside Edge Garden Furniture.
He used a variety of different-sized cobbles and slabs to add interest to the garden, with plants spilling over the edges of the paving to soften the look.
The lush planting helps create a secluded feeling in the urban space. “I like a somewhat jungly feel, with plants growing into or through each other,” Simon says.
A trellis provides a backdrop for climbing plants, such as jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle and miniature ivy, while a few larger shrubs, including Fatsia japonica, bay and Pittosporum add height. The low-level planting includes ferns, which work well in the shade of the taller varieties.
Metal table and chairs, Outside Edge Garden Furniture.
There are a number of ornamental features hidden around the garden, including an old mangle, various urns, this old water pump, and some stone frogs. “I like to find surprises at every turn,” Simon laughs.
Find garden décor ideas in the Houzz Shop
Find garden décor ideas in the Houzz Shop
A pond sits in front of a planted mound – the latter provides a slope for water to trickle down. “I lost my stepmother when I moved in, so I dug my pond as a memorial to her, as she had a lovely one in her garden,” Simon says.
“I located it at the end as a reason to go to the bottom of the garden. I have some enormous koi carp, so I keep the water healthy for them with a good filtration system.”
“I located it at the end as a reason to go to the bottom of the garden. I have some enormous koi carp, so I keep the water healthy for them with a good filtration system.”
Two sheds frame the planted island behind the pond. “I built them early on, but as they’re focal points at the end of the paths, I needed to add an architectural exterior,” Simon says. “These are made of exterior plywood and plastic cornicing, but now they’re painted, you wouldn’t know the difference.”
A mirror is located behind an old wrought iron gate to create the illusion of another garden beyond. “You have to be clever with space in an urban garden to make things seem bigger and to not feel as if you’re crammed in between your neighbours,” Simon says. “I hope I’ve achieved that.”
Tell us…
What do you think of this exotic oasis in the city? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
A mirror is located behind an old wrought iron gate to create the illusion of another garden beyond. “You have to be clever with space in an urban garden to make things seem bigger and to not feel as if you’re crammed in between your neighbours,” Simon says. “I hope I’ve achieved that.”
Tell us…
What do you think of this exotic oasis in the city? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Architect Simon Hurst with his partner, John, and their cat
Location Walthamstow, London
Property 1930s terraced house
Size of garden 13.5m x 5.5m
Photos by Juliet Murphy
When architect Simon Hurst moved into his 1930s terraced house in 2001, the garden was one of its attractions. “It was a blank canvas, with some soggy grass and one or two shrubs,” he says.
Simon was keen to renovate the inside and outside of the house himself, and his love of gardening helped him transform this modest plot.