Tufnell Park Garden

A garden that works as both a family entertaining and work space.

Staggered porcelain banding strips, are off set with reclaimed london stocks to create an interesting access path in this Tufnell Park garden.
Staggered porcelain banding strips, are off set with reclaimed london stocks to create an interesting access path in this Tufnell Park garden.
Stage 1

The Brief

Unusually for us, this was a completely level site to design. The client wanted to install a studio to extend the full width of the garden in the rear, with access required every-day, from a side gate. Our key design intention was to ensure that the studio did not dominate or make the garden feel smaller.

Stage 2

Design and Build

The garden is quite long and narrow, so we worked laterally across the space to ensure we could maximize the feeling of width. We created layers within the scheme, that allowed for separate planting and seating areas, but with tantalising glimpses through. The path to the studio and patio is staggered with horizontal banding of porcelain stone and brick details, the latter matching the house London stock brickwork, to tie in the traditional and contemporary.

In this Tufnell Park garden, the Catalpa Aurea multistem provides a visual distraction from the rear studio.
In this Tufnell Park garden, the Catalpa Aurea multistem provides a visual distraction from the rear studio.
The existing Magnolia tree was shaped to create a more sculptural form, and allow for herbaceous planting underneath.
The existing Magnolia tree was shaped to create a more sculptural form, and allow for herbaceous planting underneath.
Stage 3

Finished Project

A row of pleached ornamental pears ‘Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer’ provide a natural arch to walk under, and screening in front of the studio from the neighbours. A multi stem Catalpa bignoniodes ‘Aurea’ provides the client with a focal point in the garden, which distracts the eye from the studio to the rear. The planting scheme, is a combination of layers of evergreen structure with Taxus and Prunus domes, off set with softer herbaceous plants and grasses for seasonal interest.

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Domes of Taxus baccata and Prunus Lusitanica are off set with Euphorbia, Agapathus, Salix, Salvia and Penstemon.
The view out from the patio, kitchen and lounge is softened with a deep herbaceous planting border, creating layers and depth within the garden.
A hardwood slatted fence provides an attractive boundary, offset with Trachelospermum jasminoides , Taxus domes and herbaceous planting either side of a staggered path.
The multi-stem Indian Bean tree is planted in gravel to ensure it remains free draining and acts as a key focal point in this intimate seating spot.
Staggered paving in porcelain is offset with london stock brick banding strips, to visually widen and break up the path leading to the studio.
The patio was designed to be just big enough to accommodate a ping pong table, The deep herbaceous planting borders ensure that the seating area is enveloped in greenery.
The view back to the rear kitchen extension shows the full width of the patio, which accommodates a decent size entertaining space. We managed to retain the clients climbing wisteria during works.
Our landscape plan, that shows the design layout.
One of our computer renders, to show the client the view along the path from the studio to the house.
The site as garden construction commences.
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Photos by Belderbos Landscapes