Enhancing a peaceful garden
This garden was set amongst mature trees leading down to a canal at the end of a long narrow garden in Edinburgh. The client wanted a redesign that better connected the house to the garden. And by that, they meant the whole garden. The resulting design has a set of three decks at different levels connected by slate stone steps that lead from both the back door and the bi-fold lounge doors to the main entertaining deck area. That itself leads into the rest of the garden.
This deck is built around a fully mature Acer Palmatum that the client initially asked to be removed. It was the source of the dark damp uninspiring conditions found just outside the back door (and the initial reason they got in touch.)
Find the good in what’s already there
The fully mature Acer palmatum did cast shade. But it’s also a beautiful specimen tree that would take to (knowledgeable) selective pruning well. So we saved it, and made a feature of it, lightened the canopy and building a large raised deck around it.
Woodland decks leading from house to garden
It’s all about the setting.
It wouldn’t be right for the Acer not to be there now. With its dappled shade, it makes venturing out the back door and down to the deck for a relaxing seat even better. Two options are available after the main deck, as two cobble paths lead different routes down towards the end of the garden and the canal, where a garden snug /teenage hangout is tucked away.
Not all trees are saved
Three large Leylandii trees were part felled as they cast a lot of shade and took up a lot of garden. Their trunks were saved though (to the confusion of the tree surgeon) and used to support a garden snug built around them, and tucked in behind some existing bamboo. A sunken firepit was constructed from re-used paving which had been removed to install the decking. The cut branches and timber from works has been stored in the snug to season for a year, making a useful habitat and decoration in the meantime.
Doing just enough
The best designs are often the simplest. Weaving new construction into an existing garden space means finding that balance between achieving the changes that improve the space. And taking it too far, ruining what already existed.
inside living out.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy the garden. A balustrade with casual bench seat built to keep the views open (and safe). Perfect for an early evening drink.
End of the garden snug and firepit
