“After interviewing 3 prospective designers for the front and back gardens of our home in Flitton, we chose Susan Young design.
Susan understood the brief and had some great design ideas which integrated two water features that we had brought from our previous home and developed a planting scheme that encouraged wildlife and birds back into the garden. The hard landscaping design gave us the defined areas we requested in the brief and now that the planting is becoming established the vision behind the design is coming to fruition.
Susan recommended three hard landscaping companies to price the final scheme., The company that secured the works are locally based and proved to be an excellent choice, carrying out the work to a high standard in the agreed four week period.
We are very pleased with the service received during both the design and delivery periods from Susan Young Design.”
L & PS, Flitton.
Client brief developed with Susan:
The site is high and catches the breeze.
It appears that the damp proof course positions of the original and the new extensions differ and this would need to be considered in the finished design. The DPC has been confirmed as 110mm below kitchen floor level.
The front garden consists of a gravel stones entrance with 2 lit brick pillars and a parking area. An overgrown conifer hedging and a planted corner. Planted corner to be reset off back of the pier to create a quarter circle.
I understand you would like a new hard drive at entrance (cross over), like sawn setts between the pillars and parallel to the pavement.
Suggested a hard material under porch and across front of house and in the other direction in front of the wrought iron gates.
There is an electric point on the front wall behind the hydrangea.
Keep hydrangea and put small existing waterbutt there on a plinth. Plant in front of this to screen.
For the conifer hedge to be replaced with a quality hornbeam hedge.
Maybe new planting elsewhere. Maybe smaller curved bed. Feature tree with colour like a rowan of crab. Evergreens and bulbs. Rescue bladed plant (identify) and any paeonies there.
The sideway is also gravel stones and is used to access the garage in the back garden twice a year to change over cars. I have suggested that this be made into garden space which can be driven through. With some planting to break up the expanse of the neighbours fence.
Maybe a double panelled gate to screen off the part of the sideway which is used for storage of wheelie bins etc. Alternative screen wheelie bins.
There is a marble fireplace stored in the sideway which could be used to create surfaces for the BBQ area or outside worktop.
The wrought iron gate to the sideway could be repainted or powder coated to smarten it up and netting fixed to secure against the dog escaping.
The back garden is large and square, it slopes down and away from the property. And needs focus to keep interest in the garden.
All 3 kinds of timber fencing used is in good condition.
The garage is in good condition and is to remain.
The shed and concrete paving patio at far end of the garden is to be removed. Would you be able to store the contents of the shed in the garage?
Keep water butt by garage. Water butt by shed to be set up at the front of the house by the hydrangea.
There is a 5’ plum colour slate obelisk water -feature stone, to be incorporated into the garden near the house and another water-feature of a pile of slates rather like plates on top of each other to be used. I have a note that there is a pillar and trio (check).
There are 10+ nice glazed containers which could be utilised and an alpine trough. 2 old chimney pots. 2 concrete containers. One old bird bath.
Mixed shrub planting along the north western boundary includes berried shrubs all to go. Save the paeonies.
You need space for the rotary drier and the bird feeder.
Area for BBQ approximately where it is now.
Like to use far end area of garden for coffee morning, patio to seat 4 using existing black cast iron table and 4 chairs set.
By the back of the house you have 2 sets of bi-fold doors and need a dining terrace to seat 8-10 and steps to deal with the level changes.
Seating area outside back of lounge to seat 4 using 2 small chairs, a sofa for 2 and a small coffee table.
New planted areas to include scented and herbs.
Reasonably interested in the garden to look after a new lawn and planted beds.
Shrubs, colour and flowering throughout the year.
No composting.
Maybe exterior uplight one or two trees.
Plants mentioned in our previous meeting Mahonia for winter colour, snowdrops and crocus. Autumn colour.’
Client testimonial:
‘After interviewing 3 prospective designers for the front and back gardens of our home in Flitton, we chose Susan Young design.
Susan understood the brief and had some great design ideas which integrated two water features that we had brought from our previous home and developed a planting scheme that encouraged wildlife and birds back into the garden. The hard landscaping design gave us the defined areas we requested in the brief and now that the planting is becoming established the vision behind the design is coming to fruition.
Susan recommended three hard landscaping companies to price the final scheme., The company that secured the works are locally based and proved to be an excellent choice, carrying out the work to a high standard in the agreed four week period.
We are very pleased with the service received during both the design and delivery periods from Susan Young Design.’
L & PS, Flitton.