Project details
Studio Indigo
Landscape Designer :
Bartholomew Landscaping
Construction and Project Management :
Bartholomew Landscaping
Kensington Town House
Our clients were in the process of totally refurbishing their newly purchased property. Whilst the existing garden had been installed relatively recently they found the stark layout too imposing and the broad steep steps made the basement living space dark and unwelcoming with no garden visible from within these rooms. They had approached a number of designers to prepare proposals that would bring life to the garden but none were able to fulfil the clients demanding brief. We were approached on the recommendation of the Architects and interior designers who were aware that we had worked on a number of similar projects with complex design issues.
The Concept
We quickly prepared a 2-day sketch proposal in 3D and presented it to the client who was delighted and asked us to finalise the design and prepare a detailed costing/tender package.
The brief was to create a feeling of space and to ensure that the whole garden was usable by the whole family throughout the year. It was very important to the client that the garden looked good from the house. Only the highest quality materials would be used throughout. The clients also wanted the garden to provide for entertainment as well as relaxation. Access was required to a gymnasium/garden room at the end of the garden.
The existing garden was a very claustrophobic space with a high dark retaining wall close to the basement. Our Landscape Architects proposed that the area closest to the house was reduced in level by two steps and an elegant, curved staircase was designed that wraps around a new water feature and a low-level planting bed. We designed the walls of the feature so that they are at seating height and therefore encourage the informal use of the basement patio. The curves of the staircase continue down the garden with gently sweeping paths and a circular seating area positioned next to the new gymnasium to look back at the house.
The Details
A greenhouse was located at the end of the garden for useful storage and to enable delicate specimen plants in containers to have shelter over winter.
The existing boundary treatments were enhanced and extended by the installation of bespoke trellis panels and specimen trees and shrub planting.
The planting provides year-round interest. Dense evergreens are used to provide contrast to vibrant flowering borders and seasonal bedding and herbaceous planting provide additional lush foliage, texture and flower. As well as adding the seating height planting bed on the lower terrace a green wall was located reflecting the curved sweep of the stairs and adding more lush foliage to be viewed from the basement.
A controllable lighting system was installed to enhance the overall effect and create varying lighting moods throughout the garden. At night lighting within the bubbling water feature provides for a spectacular dancing display of colour across the different textured wall finishes and planting.
