Brief:

This house had recently been modernised and extended leaving a significant area to the side and rear in need of redevelopment. Whilst the rebuilding work was in progress a quantity of old grey slag setts was discovered and these proved ideal for recycling to form a basis for paving the main garden courtyard.

Location:

A large terraced house directly overlooking Norton Green and the duck pond.

Site Characteristics:

We created a courtyard garden paved in the reclaimed setts with occasional inset panels of tumbled concrete pavers, which had the pleasing effect of both outlining and contrasting the setts. Because there was a limited supply of setts the tumbled pavers were also used to extend the surface area of the courtyard.

In response to the varying height of the site we designed stepped levels into the garden. In addition we created further interest with both gravel and cobbled planting areas within the garden and the courtyard. As a practical measure electrical wiring conduits were installed to allow the addition of low voltage lighting by the client at a later date.

Brief:

This cottage was adjacent to a small river and bank erosion was causing areas of the garden to subside, compromising its structure. This resulted in a garden which was difficult to maintain, with an ongoing risk of instability.

Location:

A riverside cottage in the town of Staindrop near Darlington

Site Characteristics:

The work on this garden was extensive and part way through the project the client realised how effective the landscaping was. As a direct result the scope of the work was increased and the entire project was finally completed in three separate stages.

Initially three retaining walls were constructed to replace the existing retainers, they incorporated steps and pathways which provided access to a series of split level garden areas. A paved terrace seating area edged with a timber handrail was constructed in a location which allowed attractive views of the river. Selected areas were gravelled, which not only provided contrasting textures  and colours, but had the added benefit of reducing maintenance. Walls were built using a combination of stone which was available on site, imported natural stone and concrete block.

Over the winter months it was realised that another area of the garden needed stabilisation. Stone filled steel gabions provided a practical and cost effective solution. The gabions were assembled and filled on site using a mechanical excavator. Although the natural stone filled gabions were entirely in the context of the garden, the intention is that they will be cultivated with native plant species, which will eventually cover the structures.

Recently completed, the final stage of the work involved replacing the retaining walls adjacent to the house, this was achieved by a combination of reused stone from site and imported material. These walls have now stabilised the garden and allowed easier access to the river. The landscaping considerably enhances views from the house and garden and has added to the charm of the property.

Brief:

To create a rear garden which was user friendly with better access and to incorporate areas of seating. In addition, there was a need to construct a vegetable garden which was both accesible and protected from wild rabbits. An added complication which had to be practically overcome were the difficulties associated with the discovery of a manhole and well, which had been previously covered over.

Location:

A large detached house overlooking the green in Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire.

Site Characteristics:

The garden sloped steeply away from the house and was separated from it and the adjacent parking and driveway area, by a large sandstone retaining wall which featured access through the wall via concrete steps. An important constituent of the project was the design and construction of an intermediate level garden between the parking area and the lower garden. Steps gave direct access to the intermediate garden, which contained two paved sitting areas with raised soil planting beds and occasional planting through the gravel.

A curved gravel path flowed through a corner border to a timber access gate approached from a gravelled side driveway. The vegetable garden was edged with timber sleepers, with a pathway through it providing easy access to the soil areas on both sides. The design was completed by the installation of rabbit proof fencing and picket gates to afford the necessary level of protection.

Brief:

We had landscaped the front and side aspects of this garden previously. The family had recently refurbished the area of their kitchen and to complement all of these improvements they invited us to return and landscape the rear garden.

Location:

A detached period town house situated near the centre of Darlington.

Site Characteristics:

To enhance the newly installed glass fronted kitchen
extension a semi circular hardwood deck was constructed, leading to a circular lawn.

The design maintained the essential symmetry of this contemporary garden.

Slate paving paths were installed to sweep around the property, further extending the landscaping work we had carried out in previous years. Adding a new dimension to the design the height of the rear garden wall was raised, the brickwork rendered, and slate coping installed as a finishing touch. To complete the modern design concept a black rendered raised planting bed was built into one corner of the garden.

Brief:

To carry out the landscaping and garden renovation of a large family home in North Yorkshire. The brief involved working to a set of design drawings, in conjunction with a landscape architect who was based in the south of England.

Location:

A large renovated country house within the North York Moors National Park.

Site Characteristics:

 This was an outstanding project with a number of challenges which were evident from the very onset. The characteristics of the site were that the garden extended to approximately 6000 square metres, part terraced, with areas of surrounding woodland. The site also featured several natural springs and as a result land drainage was an important element of the work. Access was very restricted with over ninety percent of the work having to be carried out through a narrow margin of land with a steep gradient.

The garden re-construction was split into a number of separate areas.
The conservatory garden comprised a terraced area with supporting walls, including a central pond with fountain feature, gravel paths, herbaceous borders, lighting and a timber arbour. Clay pavers edged the gravel paths and reclaimed York stone formed the seating areas.

The tennis court garden featured reclaimed Yorkstone paving to a large sitting area, with an oak seat. A wall built from sandstone retained the higher ground level and attractive planting edged the remainder of the circumference of the seated area. Metal arches on oak posts over a gravel path formed an entrance to the garden.

A large ornamental pool with fountains and lighting edged with natural stone paving formed the central feature of the reflecting pool garden. Yew hedging skirted one side, with dry stone retaining walls to the opposite boundary. Stone steps led from the main terrace which had views overlooking the summer house.
A total of four square planting areas with mild steel edging set into the lawn were a key element of the sunken garden. Reclaimed Yorkstone provided the surface for a paved bench area, this complemented the central Yorkstone paved path leading through the garden.

A natural spring flowed through the pergola garden with a stone lined stream and rill creating an attractive feature., which was complemented by a stone bridge. Planting borders were placed on both sides of a central gravel path, with natural stone edging and up lighters installed to the base of the stone pillars. The existing pergola timbers were replaced with new oak beams.

As a final compliment to the landscaping in the main terrace garden and rear lawn the stone terraces to the rear of the house were refurbished. Soil planting borders were created between the retaining walls and a gravel path moved gently through the garden with a strategically placed gravel seating area, featuring a refurbished semi circular timber bench.

Brief:

 An area overlooked by a large picture window with direct living room access to the garden required restyling. The client wanted the modern, minimalist style of the lounge to be reflected in the design.

Location:

A detached bungalow near Stokesley.

Design Solution:

To overcome the lack of privacy from an adjacent public footpath a curved two metre high wall was constructed from rendered concrete block with granite coping. A stainless steel wave effect water feature was incorporated into the design with a reservoir within the base.

Constructed from granite, a patio was incorporated in the garden with steps leading directly to the living room. A planted gravelled area edged the rendered wall with drainage installed to a soak away in an adjacent garden area. The pale colours of the paving and surrounding wall capture and reflect the light, providing a very attractive setting.

Low-voltage lighting complemented the new design.

Brief:

The objective was to provide a striking front entrance to a period town house, incorporating raised planting beds and extensive paved areas.

Location:

A detached period town house near the centre of Darlington.

Design Solution:

An overall feature of the design was the sharp angles and straight lines which both suited the construction materials and the rectangular profile of the site.

An immediate problem to resolve was an existing concrete door sill to the base of the front door which would have been impractical to remove. We decided to cast a concrete slab for the step and path and tile the surface with attractive black and white tiles.

Slate paving was layed to both sides of the tiled path with a concrete block rendered wall creating a raised bed along the front boundary.
An attractive wrought-iron gate and railings were a feature of the design to provide separation to the rear garden, which we had previously landscaped.

The overall result was a very attractive geometric patterned entrance which makes a bold statement.

Brief:

This large family home had been almost completely rebuilt to a very high standard, with steam room, gymnasium and cinema.

The brief was to landscape the garden in keeping with the standard of the renovation.

Location:

A large detached country house in its own grounds near Hutton Village, Guisborough.

Design Solution:

The house and garden were on several different levels which were accentuated by the recent reconstruction. This required the creation of a series of split level terraces divided by stone walls, with interconnecting steps. To complement this the lawns were also laid out at varying levels.

A secluded courtyard area was constructed to the rear of the house, with a rock wall to retain a high level gravel garden with stone water features. A sandstone path was installed leading through the garden to a large timber summer house with cedar shingle roof and sandstone patio.

To complement the lawn a rill with water chute was constructed, which connected with a large pond. Further enhancing this water feature were fountains installed within the rill and the pond.

To the front of the house, in the approach driveway, is a central pond with fountain which was part of the renovation. The garden also extended to a woodland area and an element of the project was to improve this with new fencing and a planting scheme which was appropriate to the shady growing conditions.

Brief:

Following the move to a new home this client inherited a largely unmanageable garden with heavy clay soil, poor drainage and a high water table. The challenge was to transform the garden and improve the growing conditions.

Location:

A four bedroomed detached house at Wynyard with a south-facing walled garden.

Design Solution:

 As a means of achieving better growing conditions the topsoil was stripped and improved with sharp sand and compost. In addition, to enhance drainage, the garden level was raised and contained by a small stone retaining wall.

A mowing edge was installed to the perimeter of the lawn and a sandstone monolith water feature constructed to be in full view from the garden room. Extensive use was made of sandstone paving and walling to the hard landscaped areas.

Discreet low-voltage lighting was an added feature to provide an attractive evening setting for the planting and borders.

This amounted to a complete transformation of the garden.... all within three weeks!

Brief:

This family had a great enthusiasm for gardening and a desire to spend more time in the garden relaxing and socialising but on moving to their new home they realised that the garden was difficult to maintain and required extensive modernising

Location:

A sixties built four bedroom estate house in Yarm

Design Solution:

The initial task was to dismantle and remove the existing paths and patio and lift the plant material for relocation. Small plants were containerised and the larger ones heeled in to a specially prepared area before transplanting.

A lower level slate patio was constructed at one end of the house, retained by oak sleepers incorporating steps up to the lawn and to a timber deck adjacent to the dining area and kitchen. A decking boardwalk was constructed leading to an attractive series of ponds and a large decked area, which enjoyed the benefit of the late afternoon and evening sun. The pond filter was discreetly concealed with a housing constructed from oak sleepers with a water outlet to the ponds.

Part of the design was to incorporate mowing edges to the lawn and for ease of maintenance with some of the planted areas including weed suppressant membrane topped by gravel. Lighting was installed to the ponds, decking and throughout the garden and planted areas.

This was a complex update of an existing garden, with many different elements and disciplines to the work and the overall project took approximately six weeks to complete

Brief:

The requirement was to update an existing garden to incorporate a seating area to the rear of the house, in a particularly sunny and attractive area close to an existing fish pond, which was refurbished.

Location:

The attractive village of Hutton Rudby, near the marker town of Stokesley in North Yorkshire.

Design Solution:

A curved timber deck was constructed to the rear of the house at ground-floor level, it incorporated a large rock water feature directly opposite the dining room french doors, providing a beautiful focal point.

The decking was edged with timber posts and a rope swag. What proved to be particularly challenging were the varying levels within the garden.

A large circular stone patio was built opposite a new pond which incorporated a rock retainer with a water cascade. Because of the requirement to keep the fish, pond filtration was a priority. A second, existing pond was updated with new edging and planting. Sections of new lawn were laid along with screening to obsure the compost and utility area. To complement the entire design specialist LED lighting was installed to the edge of the timber deck and steps, as well as underwater lighting to the pond.

Further developments are envisaged for this garden including the installation of a hot tub spa.

Brief:

Construction of a deck to the rear and side of the house incorporating a pond and fountain with strong feature lighting.

Location:

Detached house, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees

Design Solution:

The major design element was a deck to the rear and side of the house which was accessed directly from french doors leading from the lounge. A series of willow screens incorporating a sliding willow door were constructed at the corner of the house to protect the decking from the prevailing wind, improving its amenity.

To give the design a central focus a pond and fountain was built into the deck. Stepping stones led across the pond to a gravel and natural stone patio. Feature lighting highlighted aspects of the deck, moving water and planting, it also had the effect of creating dramatic shadows within the garden.

Brief:

To renovate a front garden and provide a large driveway and parking area to the front of the house, for this busy and active family with young children.

Location:

A large modern detached house in the attractive market town of Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

Design Solution:

The property was located on a large level site with double garage to the front and side of the house.

The predominant feature of this design was a block paved drive with a central drain. The layout included feature stone paved steps to the front creating an imposing approach to the main entrance, an access ramp for children's bicycles and buggies and a small raised lawn along with planting areas. All of which created an attractive setting for this detached property.

Brief:

The clients requested a major overhaul of an existing garden to bring it in line with their lifestyle and everyday needs, the new design was required to create an attractive garden with large seating areas adjacent to the house. Accommodation had to be made for a summer house, garden lighting, a pond and easily maintained planting areas.

Location:

A family house situated within a small village in North Yorkshire, adjacent to the village pub and enjoying long-distance views of surrounding farmland.

Site Characteristics:

A natural spring was causing major problems with surface water drainage and in agreement with a neighbour it was decided to install a land drain to the rear of the garden with direct access to a drainage ditch within an adjacent farmer's field. Access for vehicles and excavators to enable restoration of the garden was gained via the car-park of the village pub.

Design Solution:

A large stone paved patio with a curved block paving path and interlocking paved area was created. A natural stone wall built to retain the patio with steps leading to the lower garden, which included the summer house and an additional stone paved circular patio which was created at this lower level.

A pond and waterfall were installed along with biological and ultraviolet filtration. The opportunity was taken to incorporate a gazebo from the original garden within a newly-created woodchip walkway. The original garden shed was bordered by a planted gravel area edged by a curved block paved path.

A completely integrated system of low-voltage garden lighting was installed throughout to enhance the planting, patio, lawn and pond areas.