Project details
Studio Indigo
Landscape Designer :
Bartholomew Landscaping
Landscape Contractors :
Bartholomew Landscaping
Main Contractors :
Size Group
Client :
Private
Holland Park
Bartholomew Landscaping were approached to build the fabulous front and rear gardens for a Grade II listed Stucco detached property originally built in 1862. The substantial rear garden backs onto the Holland Park. The clients were refurbishing the whole property and wanted gardens that would reflect the quality and grandeur of the restored building. Our team of Landscape designers worked very closely with the client and their design team to create a very complex, beautiful garden with stepped terraces rising to a substantial levelled lawn and play area for their children. The client was very involved with the whole design and construction process and was an absolute pleasure to work alongside.
The Concept
It was very important that the garden looked great from the house and views from all rooms were considered very carefully. We ensured that the hard Landscaping was carefully designed, and the planting proposed would enhance the buildings architecture and frame views of the garden. Only the highest quality materials have been used throughout the gardens with reclaimed antique French limestone and British Paddle stones used to clad the walling and large specimen boulders sourced from British quarries. The boulders were used in place of some of the retaining walls to soften the changes of levels and some were cut smooth to create casual seating locations around the gardens.
The design incorporated a series of steps and terraces to overcome the level changes that enabled the clients to use all of the garden in different ways and at different times of the day. A beautiful series of pools and rills linked the paved areas with water gently falling next to the steps. A controllable lighting system was installed to enhance the overall effect and create varying lighting moods throughout the garden. At night lighting within the water feature provides for a spectacular dancing display of colour across the different textured wall finishes and planting.
The main terrace includes a bespoke outdoor kitchen and large dining area as well as a large informal seating area for entertaining and relaxing.
On the middle terrace a fabulous bespoke green house has been located into the slope so that the clients can potter and grow their own vegetables and specimen plants in a serine environment. The clients love of art also required the designers to consider locations for beautiful sculptures. A fabulous sculpture called “Leaf Spirit” was commissioned by the renowned Sculptor Simon Gudgeon, which was located in the upper pool set against the fabulous dry-stone walling and enhanced by lighting located in the pool below.
The Details
Extensive basement areas including gymnasium, swimming pool and plant rooms extend under the hard landscaped areas of the garden, which means that a lot of the space is roof garden with light-wells to the rear of the house. A substantial sun deck and trampoline area has been located over the plant room, ventilation shafts, and irrigation tank. Rainwater from the house fills the tank and the recycled water ensures that all of the newly planted mature trees and shrubs are irrigated and thriving.
The planting provides year round interest. Dense evergreens are used to provide contrast to vibrant flowering borders, seasonal bedding and herbaceous planting provide additional lush foliage, texture and flower. Raised planting beds with integral seating in the upper gardens enable users to get close to the planting. The boundary walls were enhanced and softened by the installation of bespoke trellis panels, mature yew hedges and specimen trees and shrub planting. A rich pallet of materials was used contrasting reclaimed, natural hewn stone with crisp sawn and polished surfaces of stone steel and glass.
The trees were carefully selected by our designers and the client and the fabulous mature specimens were craned over the 4 storey property from the road.
The design for the front garden is very simple and elegant with beautiful stone steps and detailed classical black and white tiling to recreate the grandeur of original property and respecting the grade II listing of the house.
We are proud to have been involved in such a fabulous project.
