PROJECT
MODERN GARDEN
Alexandra Palace N22

CLIENT
RUTH & GALEN
APRIL 2017

WORKS UNDERTAKEN
natural stone paving
pond
shed
steps
lighting
fencing

When we first visited this garden we were impressed with the design and planting but there were clear problems. We agreed with the client to keep a lot of the original layout which had a nice scheme but to change the materials and modernise it. The original brief was to create an interesting space with a focus on planting so there would be no lawn and instead geometric paths through planting areas.

The main priority was to replace the old decking which had become rotten, slippery and dangerous. Decking had been used to install a raised patio, steps and paths which was really the wrong choice of materials in a north facing garden and it is not surprising it had become unusable. Our clients wanted somewhere to eat outside in the evenings but since the decking had got so bad the garden was almost a no go area.

The client was keen to have natural stone paving, a material that would last and not get slippery. We went for London Stone’s Kota Blue Limestone which matched modern features on the house and shone out in the very green garden. Changing decking to paving meant constructing new steps and a raised base which required a lot of hardcore to be brought through the house to raise the levels.

The project was made extra challenging as we had an existing pond to work around which had been built into the decking. This meant building the base up around it ensuring the pond was protected. We left an overhang on the paving above the pond to create a seamless look. We also replaced all the fences in the garden as they were all falling apart and rotten. We used Jacksons Tongue and Groove panel fencing with a trellis panel above.

BEFORE