The clients, having finished their extension which incorporates a state of the art modern kitchen, were ready to tackle the unwelcoming space which lay outside. The existing area was featureless - a complete blank canvas from which to create a relaxing outside seating area that would compliment the new interior scheme. Expanding the space from inside to out, French doors now lead onto a York stone terrace with tram-lines of complimentary York stone setts defining the path to a contemporary glass water feature. The water feature draws the eye and gives depth to the garden and is strikingly lit with small LEDs from the side and behind. A raised hardwood deck provides the perfect area for sitting and relaxing; generous, built-in cantilevered benches are perfect for lazily reading the Sunday papers.

The planting in this north facing garden, was chosen to have a lush, warm, jungle feel. In the large border Dicksonia antartica (Tree fern) provide the main focus, and are under-planted by evergreen ferns, interspersed with a succession of flowering perennials. Small evergreen trees provide seclusion around the seating area, and fragrant climbers scent the whole space. Spot-lights are placed to provide atmospshere and illuminate the planting at night. It is now a lovely space to be in.