Townhouse
Family Life Outside.
Inspired by the Victorian townhouse gardens of San Francisco and Melbourne - this outside space is maximised for busy family life, surrounded by lush evergreen planting and contemporary styling.
The original outdoor staircase from the kitchen to the garden is now a focal point, with a new dining terrace & pergola providing a special place for entertaining and eating outside. Subtle outdoor lighting throughout the space makes this a haven for Summer evenings.
Step Outside.
Heath sawn Sandstone paving contrasts with heritage clay pavers, laid in a contemporary geometric format. Step edges, bollard lights and an oversized planter are crafted in Corten Steel, which have turned a wonderful shade of burnt orange.
Sit Outside.
A new pergola has been stained with Osmo Oil in a bespoke RAL colour. I love how this greenish grey contrasts with the pink of the house and the Corten Steel details. Dining furniture in ‘Rust’ adds to the overall scheme.
My client requested a relatively low maintenance garden with year-round interest.
Borders at the side of paths and the dining terrace have been planted with large leaf and expressive plants including Ferns, Euphorbia characias, Rodgersia aesculifolia and Hydrangea quercifolia. I have also used one of my favourite grasses: Hakonechloa macra, which will fill out and soften the edges of the hard landscaping over time.
Grow Outside.
The raised bed alongside the dining terrace contains Hosta ‘Francee’, Agapanthus album ‘Snowy White’, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Sparkle White’ and Rosmarinus officianalis ‘Prostratus - the lovely creeping variety of Rosemary which will eventually tumble down the side of the planter.
All change outside.
The garden was very overgrown when I first met my client. The family wanted a garden they could be proud of, entertain in and enjoy during summer months - and I think we delivered just that!
“I felt Mark loved the project & garden as much as I do and that sense of being ‘in it together’ was really wonderful.
My garden was overgrown and unloved, but he could see its potential from the outset. Mark chatted with us about our needs for the garden and provided inspiration to guide us through the process. He was knowledgeable and supportive and able to accommodate many requests from my family into his design, creating a stylish but low maintenance garden. Mark has a great eye for detail and amazing plant knowledge. Conscious of my budget, he provided ideas and workarounds to deliver exactly what we wanted. He managed all contractors, delivering the project on time and to a really high standard. He was an absolute pleasure to work with - Many thanks Mark.”
Client feedback
Project credits
Design & Project Management | Mark Hardy Design
Landscaping Contractor | Hythe Garden Landscapes
Planting Design | Mark Hardy & Theo Haverson
Photography | Dylan Gray
Plant Supply | Palmstead Nurseries
Tree Supply | Deepdale Trees
Paving | London Stone
Furniture | Hay Palissade
Is it time to give your garden a new lease of life?