Design brief & vision
The brief was to create a large family garden that felt both practical and refined. The client wanted a space that could accommodate family life, from play to entertaining, while also offering secluded areas for quiet moments. The vision was to combine a simple, elegant layout with planting and features that would create impact in every season.
Key features
The wide central lawn was retained but reframed with secluded breakout spaces, creating areas for relaxation and privacy without losing the sense of openness. These zones add rhythm to the garden, encouraging movement and offering different perspectives across the space. Framed by an abundance of Hydrangea 'Annabelle' and structured evergreens, a composite decking area extends from the house, forming a low-maintenance platform for outdoor entertaining. The decking is complemented by a fully integrated outdoor kitchen, making it the perfect setting for long summer evenings. This combination balances softness and structure, lush planting offset by clean architectural lines.
Planting scheme
The planting was designed for both spectacle and longevity. Hydrangea 'Annabelle' provides a dramatic seasonal show, with generous white flower heads that brighten the garden in summer. Around them, a framework of evergreen shrubs maintains year-round structure and texture, ensuring the garden never feels bare or dormant. Layered planting ensures depth and rhythm, while the repeat use of Hydrangea 'Annabelle' creates a unifying theme across the space.
The result
This once-untapped garden has become a refined family space, elegant in form but welcoming in character. The combination of a central lawn, secluded retreats, composite decking, and bold planting delivers a garden that is as versatile as it is beautiful. With its masses of Hydrangea 'Annabelle' balanced by evergreen structure, this London project shows how a large garden can be both practical for family life and visually striking across all seasons.
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