CASE STUDIES - Small spaces & city gardens
Small Garden Transformation London N7
A Distance Design for a young family who required a practical space but also wanted to encourage wildlife
The Brief:
City house extensions often eat into precious garden space making good design even more important.
We had approximately 5 x 7m to play with and a wish list including a wildlife pond, space for dining, a choice of seating areas, storage and room for a full size table tennis table!
With all materials and equipment needing to come through the house there was also a deadline of just a few weeks before the builders needed to complete the work to the basement room.
The Outcome:
We set about working with some of the existing borders and tree cover (which is really important in supporting wildlife) to create a cosy, inviting space with new storage and seating areas. Retaining sleepers were replaced with brickwork sympathetic to the house materials and a mix of curved paving and stone cobbles were used on the floor to create interest and make the space appear larger.
A raised wildlife pond was incorporated within the borders for space saving and safety.
Working with their own landscaper, the Client did a wonderful job of bringing the plan to life.
Courtyard Garden Transformation, Surbiton
Distance Design: Extending the living space for dining and entertaining
The Brief:
The request was to create an outdoor entertaining space as an extension of the Client's home. She was after a clean, contemporary feel with areas for cooking, entertaining and relaxing taking into consideration practicalities around
storage and a new puppy. The garden was approximately 5 x 9m and factors to consider included boundary treatment to neighbouring properties, overhanging trees and a straightforward level change.
The Outcome:
We worked closely over the phone and Zoom with a particular emphasis on the materials chosen to ensure the final look was fit for purpose as well as looking good. In a small space you can't hide a bad decision!
We also went through the areas for specific, on-site discussion with her landscaper to ensure the
best possible outcome on the ground was achieved.
"I would highly recommend working with Hannah. From the very beginning she was able to translate my ideas, various Pinterest boards and photos into a series of concept drawings which allowed me to narrow down what it was I really wanted.
I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process and working remotely was never an issue and that is a testimony to Hannah’s expertise, passion and attention to detail. The research she did was very thorough and the hand drawn illustrations meant the final document was not only beautiful but practical and very easy to follow to bring to life.
I can’t recommend Hannah highly enough and absolutely love my garden now, thank you!"
Mel C, Surbiton.
Small Garden Transformation, Walthamstow, London
Distance Design: An unique, secluded space for cooking, entertaining and relaxing with a lush, jungle feel
The Brief:
A young, professional couple wanted a fun, stylish space where they could create a feeling of seclusion, including lots of leafy planting and display their growing bonsai collecion!
Small spaces need clever design and at approximately 5 x 6m (having given away 4m of the garden to a new extension) we used asymmetric, bespoke steel planters, angles and layers of planting to create a secluded, intimate feel while maximising floor space.
The Outcome:
Separating the front and back areas of the garden with planting made the space feel bigger and more interesting as did using planting pockets and contrasting textures within the paths. The Clients were happy to embrace more unusual materials with an industrial edge - rebar for planting trellis and creating a display area for their bonsai pots.
They also did a lot of the work themselves (including building the pizza oven!) and a stylish choice of garden furniture completed the space.
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