Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

Garden landscaping design featuring distinguishing values

Posted on July 22nd, 2010

Limestone Paving

Since the begining we have remained steadfast to our belief that the business of designing and building gardens, is hard but also exciting. Each project has some unique elements, but what binds our focus to all of our projects is the determination to be creative and construct a garden with distinguishing characteristics and one to exceed client expectations. But the process is a collaborative effort with clients and the goal is to realise a garden which will not simply impress but more importantly one which will be exciting to admire and enjoyable to use. 

Many of the elements which feature one might argue are not NEW  in a modern context, but very traditional like Natural stone, Formal planting, Open spaces but with practical enclosures , Water features, Garden lighting. But I believe part of the beauty or the success is how we manage to combine various elements in a sensitive way to achieve very interesting compositions of planted areas and living spaces. The core distinguishing values which feature in many of our garden projects are directly related to the traditional inputs of creativity and quality (natural) materials combined in a thoughtful but crafted construction.

The gentle but appealing attraction of Bay Laurel Standards never fails

The graceful beauty of the Olive tree - a modern classic

Water features opportunity for balancing vision with sound

Bounded by Limestone and only days after installation, signs of growth appear in the new lawn.

The fencing provides a dramatic backdrop for the low maintenance Mixed Planting group in a distinctive Sandstone Raised Bed

Outdoor Living (Limestone Patio) - space to share, relax and enjoy

Contrasting Natural Beauty - the delicate geometry of the Agapanthus Albus and the rugged drystone finish of the Sandstone wall

Designs for Small Gardens

Posted on May 27th, 2010

Morning Patio

Afternoon/Evening Patio

The design of small gardens is particularly challenging to deterimine the optimum space allocation for the Patio and Planting areas as well as the practical demands for Utilities like waste bins, clothes lines etc. Despite the lack of space it is still possible to achieve a layout which is not only pleasing and practical but also on a modest budget. 

Simple sweeping Stepping Stone Pathway

A recent project example illustrates some of these points, in which we provided the happy owner with two Sandstone Patios (Morning and Evening Sun), a series of sweeping curves to delineate the planted areas (Raised Sandstone Kerbing) and an informal but eye catching Stepping stone path which links the two Patios across a modest area of bright and cheerful stone chippings.

Sandstone Kerbing for clear but effective retention of planted areas

Despite the compactness of the area, I believe a little imagination is all that is required to design and build affordable Small Gardens which are visually interesting, easy to maintain and where the space has been handled in a very practical and appealing way. Who says everything must be straightlined or linear. Even in small spaces, sweeping gentle curves also play a vital role within the overall design.

Designs for low maintenance Townhouse Garden Patio

Posted on May 16th, 2010

Here’s a practical and attractive solution for a  good size Town House garden in which the owner expressed interest for a bright, practical but low maintenance garden design. The solution featured a combination of Indian Sandstone Paving (Mint) along with Sandstone Kerbing for the Raised edges and Ballylusk Stone chippings.  To emphasise a more informal structure a curvolinear layout was selected for the patio areas as well as Stepping Stone style pathways. 

A simple layout with designs to appeal, which is well executed and a very affordable solution for a low maintenance Townhouse Garden Patio.

Patio Garden

Posted on October 3rd, 2009

More photos from work in progress on Sandstone Patio works, Retaining Wall with integrated steps and excavated channel for Sandstone lawn edgings.

Hard Garden Landscaping

Posted on September 30th, 2009

Some more photos to show progress on our Hard Landscaping works, ie, constructing Raised Sandstone Walls, Sandstone (Ravena) Garden Patios and link Sandstone Pathways. Some photos also show preliminary ground preparation including Hardcore Foundations (Sub-base)  for paved areas and also one (Vegetable garden area) of the several new  water taps installed throughout the garden.

Later this week we will commence marking out the garden for installation of lawn edging (Sandstone Sett) which will permanently define the lawn profile and separate it clearly from perimeter planted areas. As the hard landscaping works progresses, work will shortly commence on the installation of garden lighting ahead of the soft landscaping elements which include tree and shrub planting, ground grading and preparation for installation of roll turf lawn.

GARDEN PATIOS – PATIO GARDENS

Posted on August 18th, 2009

Sandstone (Ravena)

Granite (Grey)

Sandstone (Mint)

Limestone

Granite (Yellow)

When it comes to deciding which and what type of patio, many people focus on colour. Yes a very important factor but so too is choice of stone, area size and levels. Bright warm colours are very popular, but others prefer rich hot colours whilst the neutral contemporary colours are becoming increasingly more popular. If colour is the most important feature of the Patio area this will largely determine which stone you may select.

Sandstone (Mint)

Granite (Grey)

Sandstone (Mint)

Sandstone (Ravena)

Nothing compares to the natural beauty of sandstone paving for patio areas. Slight variance in tones, even the presence of fossils are vividly revealed after a shower of rain and during sunny spells the results are a light and inviting space to be. Natural stone paving provides an enduring sense of style, is extremely hardwearing and very easy to maintain in optimum condition.

Here are some examples of the more popular choices. For more examples see: www.owenchubblandscapers.com/patios 

Granite (Grey)

Sandstone (Mint)

Sandstone (Mint)

Sandstone (Mint)

Granite (Grey)

Sandstone (Mint)

Landscaping with Ravena Sandstone paving

Posted on August 6th, 2009

A recent garden landscaping project completed in Blackrock, Dublin incorporated an interesting combination of features including Extended Patio areas, sweeping Sandstone Garden pathway, Sandstone Raised Bed which amongst other items included a Mill Wheel water feature, some very attractive Olive Standards, a new  fence constructed from pressure treated Timber cladding and discreet lighting using the latest high output low energy LED lighting.

The photos were taken during wet conditions which perhaps is useful to see how beautifully vivid and varied the colours of natural Sandstone can be. In this project the Sandstone paving (and wall capping) is Ravena, an increasingly popular alternative choice to the more widely used Sandstone Mint. Ravena appeals to those who prefer to have a more muted tones in dry conditions to the ubiquitous yellow tones typical of Sandstone Mint. Another feature of Ravena is the pink/wine colourways which are much more evident during wet conditions. On closer examination some hints of the yellow tones are also visible.

The Raised Planted Bed was constructed using White Sandstone and the wall capping is of course Ravena sandstone. The layout was designed to be essentially one level thus maximising the use of the various areas and also  providing some additional flexibility to the use of the recessed paved area. This approach also influenced the layout of the Raised bed which was essentially linear but incorporated a full circle to circumvent the Mill Wheel water feature which the clients were keen to incorporate in the new scheme. Looking at the photos the colour of the Mill Wheel is remarkably similar to the Ravena Sandstone.

I would also like to point out the results of the skill and workmanship in several aspects of the paved areas including the linear and curve cutting and installation. Grass margins were re-defined to conform with the new levels set by the paving hence the extended soil areas adjoining the old lawn and new paved sections.

Frequently we receive feedback on how useful and informative our SUNBLOG is to readers seeking design and layout ideas.  I also receive requests from readers to show more ‘Before’ as well as ‘After’ photos from our project portfolio. So here are a few ‘Before’ photos from this particular project.  

Family Friendly Urban Garden Design

Posted on July 16th, 2009

Not so long ago a family garden was little more than an open expanse of lawn with the concrete invariably down the middle and a few bruised and battered shrubs dotted around the perimeter. Fortunately nowadays, Home owners are increasingly more discerning about spatial layouts and more creative in defining the scope and content of the family garden.

Afterall and weather permitting there is no doubt that the family garden is perhaps the most liked, most used and probably most enjoyed area of the family home? 

When it comes to designing and planning the layout of a Family oriented garden, there are some critical elements to be considered. Many might to some be very obvious, for example, a Children’s Play area which ideally demands an open aspect, Plant selection criteria will most likely include some specimen/architectural plant specimens, some screening but otherwise plants which offer year round interest, colourful display, requiring limited attention or low maintenance, reliable performers which are also resilient given the scope and range of activities one would expect in a family garden. In relation to the adult preferences, good interesting and practical layouts are much preferred, ones offering some features in different areas, evening and daytime Patios with natural stone paving, garden lighting and water features are increasingly more popular and lastly a coherent layout which links all the various areas in a pleasing but simple and flexible forms.

Our most recent project completed in Floraville features a good size urban garden in a well established and quiet Dublin suburb. East facing but sheltered, the garden is very typical in terms of scale and requirements of what many young parents expect and wish to have in their family garden.

The photos show a selection of views from the various areas within the garden including Main (Daytime) and Bistro (Evening) Patios, a link pathway takes one around the garden on oneside sweeping easily around the lawn perimeter, access to Garden shed and beyond. Mature bamboos were positioned at key points to provide good and immediate screening backdrops. The Sandstone Raised Bed with its gentle sweeping curve and wall capping to provide an informal seating area, a major feature contains some striking plant groups as well as a Water feature and being within the Main Patio area represents not only a significant and important practical feature but also a striking focal point.     

To provide greater use of the Childrens Swing and Slide, a specially prepared base was constructed and with a synthetic grass covering is an ideal all weather play surface for the younger children. 

Specimen planting featured the beauty of the Olive tree, Nandina Domestica, Phyllostachys Aurea and Pseudosassa Bamboos as well as the beautifully platted and heavenly scented Jasmine climbers (Rhyncospernum) which appear like Mop heads/Standards but are trained on aluminium frameworks. In contrast to the Sandstone paving and Raised Beds, Trellis screening provides ideal backdrop to the timber Raised beds constructed using pressure treated Pine Sleepers.

I believe that this family friendly garden project in Floraville is proof that the design of a family garden in which children can play, adults can entertain, plants that appeal but require little attention, special features to attract and enjoy and a layout that is broadly simple but very practical is always possible. Competent Skillsets, practical professional experience and some creative thinking are essential requirements to achieve better results.

Bright White Background

Posted on July 10th, 2009

A very recent garden project featured an interesting combination of granite paving/patio with nice bullnose profile on steps which looked particularly well with the vivid green lawn (note the explosive growth in less than 2 weeks) and the white bright painted finish of the timber wall cladding. 

A few before photos again illustrate how design and layout can make even a modest size urban space look bigger and brighter and much more appealing.

The white background works particularly well with the Olive trees to create a Mediterranean look.  

Townhouse Garden Design with Structure & Style

Posted on July 3rd, 2009

Earlier this year, the owner of a large Townhouse who was planning a major refurbishment of the property, contacted us to seek our advice and assistance to design and re-build a new garden to replace an old garden which had become overgrown with cumbersome planting and provided little means to enjoy any outdoor living.

The sample photos provide some evidence of how  jaded the garden had become. From the outset it was clear, that several elements demanded immediate attention, including provisioning of Patio area(s), a unified boundary which would not only be more defined but also conceal some of the rather unsightly appearances of the concrete posts and plinths of the panel fences as well as the exposed blockwork on the opposite boundary wall.

The side access although generous and long resembled more an alley way and displaying all the signs of having been overlooked. To complete the visual disharmony, concrete pathways were in abundance and exceptional number of AJs were all too conspicuous given the overall scale of the property.    

To begin with all tree and shrub planting was removed including all roots. The design plan was to instal wall cladding on all three sides of the boundary walls/fencing within the main garden. Plan included two Patio areas, one main and a smaller ‘Bistro size’ Patio nearer the house. All stone work (paving, setts and step risers) would be Indian Sandstone (Mint). The side access was also to be paved to link with main garden area, also a separate seating and planting area would also create a more secluded ’shaded garden’ space within this area, and a trellis screen would be used to screen waste bins at rear entrance and well away from the main garden area. Garden lighting was positioned to provide individual lighting zones (four in total: specimen planting, main patio and perimter borders, olive tree and side area), offering flexibility to light owner depending on use.

The appeal and simple line of timber cladding is well illustrated here and to conceal the rather uneven but distinctive curve section of walling, this was clad with a double  line of timber laths (fixed vertically) to provide a subtle but otherwise a favourable and compatible finish with the otherwise horizontal lines of the timber wall cladding. All timber works were painted in a dark tone of green to provide a uniform look but also a ‘green’ backdrop and less requirement for bulk planting.  The exception being a beatiful specimen of the Olive tree in rear corner to counter balance an otherwise dominant appearance of the main circular Patio.

From start to finish, this project was completed in less time than a typical  2 week summer holiday. A great surprise for the owner upon return.

As is the case in all gardens, but especially a  townhouse garden functionality is very important, space is a premium and in such cases although planting can and is also important, use of space is probably more important than appearance. However in this project and similar, where timber cladding is featured, the results clearly demonstrate that timber fencing/cladding can make a major contribution to achieving structure but style in a garden. In this instance I believe the green tones provide a relaxed and calming backdrop to the simple geometry of the layout and results in a garden that has not only clear useable spaces, defined gentle curves and a selection of planting that provides year round interest without any significant regular maintenance requirements.

In terms of design, structure, style and functionality are all critical elements of  successful townhouse garden design and attention to detail and quality of finish are essential pre-requisites.