About This Project

Small garden design  

Clients brief 

Our clients approached us to build their small garden design. They require a nice sized lawn area, a patio by the house and a patio in the corner of the garden, which catches the evening sun. These areas, along with the side of the house and the side gate are to be linked with pathways. They also have a long and high boundary wall which needs to be screened with planting. Our client prefers a soft, traditional style so circular lines have been incorporated into the design.  

Type of property 

This home is a new build detached house.  

Location 

Lawford near Manningtree, Essex. 

Time taken to build 

Early to late April 

Designer 

Tapestry Design Studios

Original garden 

The original garden was typical of a new build house. A small patio was laid to the back doors and a pathway joined the patio to the side gate. The slabs were cheap riven concrete paving. The ground was barren and full of builders rubble and had been laying in water over the winter. The fence had been painted by our client. A 2 metre brick wall surrounds the rear and left hand side boundaries. The garden slopes toward the gate. 

Features retained 

This garden was cleared completely. The only features retained was the fence and the brick wall.  

Materials used 

The patio is Autumn blend sandstone laid in a random pattern with 4 different sized slabs. 

The circular patio is an Autumn blend sandstone circle kit. 

The lawn edge, circular patio edge and cobble pathway is Bradstone Woburn Rumbled square setts in Fossil Buff. 

All paving and setts are pointed with a sand and cement mortar. 

Challenges overcome 

The main visible challenge for this garden build was the lack of space to store materials, waste and mix mortar. The driveway was new block paving which had to be protected at all times. We laid sheets of Stirling Board over plastic membrane to protect our work area and driveway. 

The soil in the back garden was littered with builders rubble and there was a large amount of overspill from the footings of the brick wall. We had to spend some time going through the ground with a digger to remove the rubble and concrete, 

Planting 

The planting is a mix of shrubs and perennials and two trees for shade and privacy. Salvia, Penstemon, Sambucus, Santolina and Lavendula are a few of the species planted.   

Contact us to discuss your requirements