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3d renderings for a complex garden on may levels. This garden is all about making the kitchen and rooms that adjoin it into larger more sociable spaces.
3d renderings for a complex garden on may levels. This garden is all about making the kitchen and rooms that adjoin it into larger more sociable spaces. © Sarah Mitchenall
Formal garden gives way to wild English woodlands beyond.
Formal garden gives way to wild English woodlands beyond. © Sarah Mitchenall
A garden design for Eco home. The entire site was a huge dig out to create a home nestled into the bank, so the practical and aesthetic requirements were complex
A garden design for Eco home. The entire site was a huge dig out to create a home nestled into the bank, so the practical and aesthetic requirements were complex. © Sarah Mitchenall
Layering in a garden. It’s a concept we use indoors all the time, but in a garden it is just as important to create viewpoints and layering of materials.
Layering in a garden. It’s a concept we use indoors all the time, but in a garden it is just as important to create viewpoints and layering of materials. © Sarah Mitchenall
Concepts.
Concepts. © Sarah Mitchenall
Planting plans.
Planting plans. © Sarah Mitchenall
Material choices change the feel of a garden.
Material choices change the feel of a garden. © Sarah Mitchenall
Plants, the aim is to be able to look into the future for you and your garden, planting with 2, 5, and 10 years in mind.
Plants, the aim is to be able to look into the future for you and your garden, planting with 2, 5, and 10 years in mind. © Sarah Mitchenall
Where does your sun set? It can make a difference to how you use our garden.
Where does your sun set? It can make a difference to how you use our garden. © Sarah Mitchenall
Modern materials like cast concrete alongside natural stone to create a small and modern garden. Seating incorporated into the raised beds means even a tiny space can be sociable.
Modern materials like cast concrete alongside natural stone to create a small and modern garden. Seating incorporated into the raised beds means even a tiny space can be sociable. © Sarah Mitchenall
Water in the garden, ponds, pools, rills, in this garden the brief was for water, water, water, such a joy and a privilege to work with these clients on a special garden.
Water in the garden, ponds, pools, rills, in this garden the brief was for water, water, water, such a joy and a privilege to work with these clients on a special garden. © Sarah Mitchenall
Formal garden gives way to wild English woodlands beyond.
Formal garden gives way to wild English woodlands beyond. © Sarah Mitchenall

Designing a garden – what’s involved?

If I can introduce somebody to the world of living outside more and engaging in their outdoor space, then I’m over the moon. One of the parts of my job I love the most is the garden handover – sitting down and sharing a glass of wine with the client at the end of the work. They have handed me this space, trusting that I will create something amazing, and I feel like I’m giving it back in a whole new form.

People who want to have work done on their gardens already value their garden space highly, they’ve often bought a property because of the garden, so we are already off to a great start with regards to having a great relationship and building something beautiful and unique.

The process of designing gardens and interiors is very similar – finding out the client’s hopes and plans, looking at how to maximise the potential of a space - but the actual design approach is very different.

If I can introduce somebody to the world of living outside more and engaging in their outdoor space, then I’m over the moon.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I started combining the two areas of my work. I’ve been trying to distil the difference so that I can fully understand the nuances of the two processes and how best to work with clients. How to understand both the practicalities and the social requirements. Really understand the interior space so I can get the best for the client, then evolving that into the garden. Sometimes totally redesigning the space can open up whole new opportunities for the uses of each room or garden.

In essence, gardens are more complex in their construction, interiors are complex in their details and possibilities. There’s a lot more to take into consideration with garden design. Understanding the basics of construction and the logistics of moving soil, or building up levels can seem boring, but getting them wrong can be expensive.

There’s also a question of expectation. Most people can look at a room and have some idea of what it’s going to need. A table, maybe a rug, chairs, lamps. You might love putting ideas for colour and pattern together. You might want to get someone like me involved in helping you create a cohesive design. But you’ll have some idea of where to start.

I take the ideas you love and make them work within the space and location that is yours.

With a garden, most people have no idea where to begin. Maybe that’s why I find my garden clients are far more willing to take a leap of faith with ideas I introduce. Hopefully it’s because they trust me to bring inspiration and great solutions.

Most of my clients know what they like in a garden, but have no clue as to how to create that or if it’s even possible in their space. So a garden designer can come along and take all that pain away! I take the ideas you love and make them work within the space and location that is yours. Weaving your ideas and wishes together alongside bringing other levels of inspiration and understanding of costs and viability of ideas.

As seen in & on:
World of InteriorsElle DecorationSophie RobinsonThe Great Interior Design ChallengeThe Great Interior Design Challenge on BBCThe Great Interior Design Challenge on Netflix
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