Kentish Town Garden

A small courtyard garden is transformed into a deceptively large space that ties in architecturally with the house extension.

We used quite a subtle palette of materials and planting in this garden, to emphasise the feeling of width and space. Poured concrete stepping stones and Quartzite gravel are the key materials, with hardwood deck and edging in Corten steel .
We used quite a subtle palette of materials and planting in this garden, to emphasise the feeling of width and space. Poured concrete stepping stones and Quartzite gravel are the key materials, with hardwood deck and edging in Corten steel.
Stage 1

The Brief

This was one of our smallest gardens, approx. 6.5m wide x 8m, and with the new extension, we had to be creative with the space to ensure it felt spacious, green and enticing. Our solution was to create a simple design running the full width of the garden in staggered layers, to give the impression of a much bigger space. The planting palette is quite restrained, again to allow for simplicity, rhythm and repetition which all help to balance the space and draw the eye through the garden.

Stage 2

Design and Build

The house extension was built using poured concrete lines for the lintels and extension, along with a soft brown brick. We used the same mix of concrete for the garden to create a full width cantilevered bench, that elevates the rear planting bed, creating more space and depth, and introduces levels that also add to the spacious feeling. We had a couple of important existing features to work carefully around, the Pear tree, which was pruned into a more sculptural shape, and the mature wisteria, that had been planted by the clientÕs mother 40years previously, and tumbled through the garden.

The simple tones and textures in the garden blend harmoniously with the interior materials.
The simple tones and textures in the garden blend harmoniously with the interior materials.
A wider angle of the garden showing how we worked laterally across the space to increase the feeling of width.
A wider angle of the garden showing how we worked laterally across the space to increase the feeling of width.
Stage 3

Finished Project

Subtle accents of bronzed foliage and Corten steel risers, tie in with the warmer timber used internally, and again help refine the overall palette and its soothing effect. Despite its compact size, our clients use the garden throughout the day, and have 3 different spots to sit and enjoy depending on where the sun is. This is probably one of our favourite gardens due to its success at making the space seem so much bigger than it is, and because it is enjoyed so much by its owners.

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Evergreen structure is provided with the staggered Yew hedging and Prunus domes, off set with evergreen Anemanthele grasses and Euphorbia.
A cosy seating spot under the existing pear tree provides dappled shade for reading.
The poured concrete stepping stones have softly rounded edges to prevent chipping and blend beautifully with the gravel. The hedges are Taxus baccata and the domes Prunus Lusitanica, and provide structural evergreen interest.
We worked carefully around the clients pear tree to ensure it would become a sculptural feature of the garden. The Irish Barley Quartzite gravel is set on a honeycomb stabilisation system to stop it moving around too much and provide permeability for the tree roots.
The view back to the house from the decking area, shows the staggered layers of stepping stones and hedging that soften the path. The gnarled trunk of the clients mature wisteria can be glimpsed on the left of frame.
The bronze foliage of Dryopteris erythrosora provide accents that tie in with the subtle use of Corten steel.
A cantilevered poured concrete bench runs across the full width of the garden and also doubles as a raised planting bed to give height to the garden. ItÕs the main feature of the garden and ties in architecturally with the concrete used on the house.
The soleirolia soleirolii works beautifully here to fill the gaps between the stepping stones and soften the hard edges.
The layering of the structural planting in this garden and the simple foliage colour palette was key to its success.
Before and after picture from the same viewpoint, it was a small tricky site with little space to work during the build, due to extensive renovation works on the house.
This was the early concept design presented to the client, which didnÕt change much. The simple lateral lines were very effective at making the space feel much bigger.
One of our early concept designs for the space, which remained pretty close to the final result.
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Photos by Marianne Majerus