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

Garden Patios, design details in construction

Posted on October 1st, 2009

As with many aspects of life, the beauty and appeal of well designed garden Patios is not only to be found in the design detail but also within the constructional details. Natural stone paving such as Indian Sandstone can produce fantastic results. Time, care and attention are all pre-requisite, experienced and skilful cutting and installtion are essential but the results ALWAYS provide the desired results. 

The attached photos from our current project clearly illustrate many of these key points, Sandstone Paving (Ravena) in a range of sizes, several individual hand cut pieces to complete the random joint pattern, Sandstone Kerbs used as Step Risers and Sandstone Setts for Patio perimeter trims.  

Sandstone Steps

Laying Sandstone Slab on Sand & Cement Bed

Sandstone Paving featuring Random Joint Pattern

Sandstone Paving with Step Detail and Sett Trim

Sandstone Patio with consistent line profile

Sandstone Patio over split levels

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.

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.  

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.

Garden Fencing with appealing colour and style

Posted on June 27th, 2009

Here are a few ’Before’ photographs of an average sub-urban garden containing few if any focal points, an adhoc planting scheme, a rather drab looking cobblelock Patio and a site boundary which fails to enhance or define the overall view but seems to underline the juxtapositioning of all else in the garden space?

An early but key design objective was to refine the boundary with a  solution which would feature clean lines and yet be discreet and compliment the proposed planting scheme and new site layout. The garden shed was relocated from the sunniest corner to the most shaded corner. Pressure treated timber cladding was used on both the left and right hand boundaries and pressure treated trellis panels (for additional height and screening) were used on rear wall. To achieve a more coherent background look, all timbers including Garden Shed were painted, in this instance a dark green.

The choice of the garden fencing style works well here and the colour selected for fence painting is one of the more appealing visual images from this particular project. Also to be seen is Indian Sandstone paving and setts were used here and featuring circular layouts and gentle sweeps to contrast favourably with the more dominant ‘linear’ garden layout. 

Although the Rotary Clothes line was replaced, it’s position in the new layout was unchanged.

Sandstone Patios in challenging spaces

Posted on June 12th, 2009

A recent project of ours I believe provides some useful illustration about  the importance of design and layout in defining Patio areas. Perhaps not so evident from the photographs is that this particular garden which was was relatively compact but on two levels and made the more challenging by the chosen design. Some logistical challenges had also to be carefully considered, as there was no side or rear access to the garden areas, this project required that all materials be carried through the house.

Some might wonder why we did not select an easier approach by choosing a more simpler perhaps linear layout. No, we always endeavour to exceed client expectations and ion this instance it was obvious from an early stage of the design process a design with a split level solution with a distinctive finish to the retaining elements was preferred by the clients. In this instance Pressure treated Pine sleepers were used for the Raised Bed at the upper level and at the lower level a sandstone capping to a painted rendered wall was agreed upon.

Although it would have been much easier to construct a linear wall, the geometry was largely influenced by the fact that the client wanted to inset a circular arrangement within the lower sandstone patio. Thus it was obvious to me anyway, that the wall and indeed the Raised Bed should be consistent and therefore semi-circular layouts were selected. This was also the chosen finish for the decorative trims around patio perimeters which provided opportunity for sandstone chippings to contrast with the relative flatness of the sandstone paving. On the upper level, the sandstone paving also featured a circular-out to provide much needed breathing space at ground level for the mature tree.

Although a small garden space, all the common but key details and elements of everyday patio design and construction can be seen here, including  ACCO Storm channels at Patio doors, Recess Frames to provide easy but discreet access to the AJ (access to foul water system), Sandstone risers for steps.  How often do we see the appearance of new paving ruined by conspicuous AJ/Manhole covers?

The colour of the painted rendered wall at the lower level is Nevada, an dalthough we did discuss colour selection for some time.  We did at completion joke about how we took a gamble with the Nevada but it paid off!

I always believe that designing in small spaces can be difficult, with little room for error and in this particular project, construction was also more challenging than usual and this was very evident during extensive excavations taking place during recent wet spells. All in all, from start to finish, the project took approx 10 working days to complete. They were 10 hard days, but the results clearly justify the significant effort involved. Great sandstone cutting skill is much in evidence throughout this garden.

Garden patios – making more of Outdoors

Posted on May 18th, 2009

The garden patio designed to suit your requirements and site conditions is probably the most important functional aspect of your garden area. Generally size is rarely a problem, sometimes space permitting patios can be oversized and thus look disjointed and out of proportion with the rest of the garden. Frequently one sees patios that are simply extended hard surfaced platforms effectively separating house from rest of garden. Patios need not necessarily be large geometric shapes like a rectangle, a square or indeed a circle. Try to be a little more creative in determining the shape, seek opportunities to achieve a more integrated look with the lawn and planted areas within the general scheme. If possible incorporate planting beds i.e. trapped planting beds which not only create interesting focal areas within the patio but also contribute to a more pleasing and softening look within larger patio areas especially.

Obviously patios are best located in the sunny positions of the garden at the times they are most likely to be needed/used. On the otherhand beware with patios at the house end of the garden especially layouts which run across the side access area. This area can suffer nasty cold draughts ‘wind tunnels’  as winds pushed through side entrance and across patio area. Nobody will want to sit in a wind tunnel!

Probably an aspect which you have little control over but which can be a big headache to resolve is of course levels. Steps are the obvious solution for managing changes in levels. These are commonly positioned at the house but it makes more sense to go for a convenient transition between inside and outside and re-position steps at end of patio but away from main access/exit points. If you must use steps at house, be generous, not everyone can or likes using  steps requiring ballerina foot movements. Be generous with the steps, make ‘threads’ depth at least 450mm. Height on the otherhand should be set at a maximum of 150mm. When more than one step is involved, ensure step ‘riser’ heights are consistent.  Ramps are also a possible alternative to steps.

Different levels in patio areas can also be exploited to create interesting views or orientations. This may require retention walls and a favourite choice of mine is of course the natural stone finish but rendered block walls can also look well in certain designs requiring a more contemporary look. Other additions/features which may be used to complement patio areas include Raised Planting beds, Water features, Planters, Garden Sculpture, Swing Seating, Lighting etc.  

A much more critical design feature is to retain integrity of the overall look by avoid mixing materials. Our preference is for a more coherent and consistent finish, i.e., with sandstone patios we avoid mixing ‘apples with oranges’ so for example all the key materials used for paving, threads, risers, kerbing and indeed even the decorative stone chippings used as trims around trapped beds etc are all one material e.g., sandstone, limestone, granite etc.

In relation to layout, space (lack of) frequently curtails the options here, but try to develop a layout which satisfies the space requirements but also provides a layout which not only links house to patio but is consistent with the profile of the garden layout. For example, an average family will require a space of at least 3.0m x 3.0m but 4.0m x 4.0m would be much better. Larger groups will require more space perhaps reaching 7.0m x 7.0m and more. Increasingly homeowners demand that the Outdoor space share or complement style treatments or finishes from the interior thus placing more importance on the seamless transition from inside to outside spaces. No matter what your preferred design style is, many are demanding more from the outdoor area. To see it as a sanctuary for growing plants is to greatly underestimate the true importance of the many valuable contributions a garden can offer everyone. Seeing the garden in trems of an ‘Outdoor space’ is to see lots of other potential, not just an area in which to relax, enjoy, socialise etc but the choice is almost endless. What is essential that more and more people are utilising the garden area as a living space.  At a subtle level, homeowners are making choices that have impact on how gardens look but also how they work. In this new enviroronment, how something functions is taking precedence over more traditional values of how it looks. Here in this new era of outdoor living, form follows function, which is not a bad development. Ultimately if something cannot be enjoyed, it matters little how well it looks.

In determining a layout which optimises functionality and integrates practical aesthetics, the design of the garden patio demands careful but creative consideration. It is afterall much to do with creating an area which allows one to enjoy as much as possible,  those few but precious moments of Outdoor bliss.

A DAY IN THE LIFE…of a landscaper (Day 14)

Posted on September 20th, 2008

Day 14 brought good weather allowing construction work to resume. As the Sandstone Kerbing was used to provide a distinctive Raised Profile edge (Pic 1) to the main planted Area within the Patio, excavations for base for the sweeping pathway got underway. This was followed by the providing a compacted (100mm) hardcore base as foundation (Pic 2) for paving. The construction of the Sandstone Pathway featured 600×300mm paving slabs (Pic 3) and for a more distinctive finish the pathway was edged on both sides with Sandstone Setts 200×100mm to create a very attractive and eye catching results (Pic 4).

Pic 1 Sandstone Kerbing helps define the Planting Bed within Patio

Pic 2 Hardcore base for perimeter pathway

Pic 3 Sweeping Sandstone pathway

Pic 4 Sandstone Pathway edged with Sandstone Setts

Attention to detail is one of the Hallmarks of our workmanship and here are some very clear examples. To achieve a very uniform joints and consistent radiating effect, it is necessary to cut and mitre every slab. This results in joints of consistent widths and no arcing (large tapers within joints, i.e. narrow and one end and wide at the opposite end (Pic 5). A string line from radius centre point is used to mark the radiating line for each paving slab on the two adjoining sides. Again all slabs are laid on a wet bed (typically 50mm) of mortar to provide a solid and stable base for the Sandstone pathway (Pic 5). In Pic 6 the exit steps from Victorian Summerhouse leading down to perimeter sweeping pathway are also completed.

Pic 5 Mitred paving for a radiating finish

Pic 6 Exit steps from Raised Platform

As work on Day 14 drew to a close, the garden structure, the skeletal attributes of the new garden were becoming increasingly visible. And is so often the case, it is certainly intriguing and absolutely fascinating to observe and try and determine at which point a project evolves from being a series of constructional activities to becoming a new garden? In spite of the many tasks involved, the pursuit of the greater green is something which excites us greatly and indeed a fantastic motivator.

A DAY IN THE LIFE …of a landscaper (Day 8)

Posted on September 17th, 2008

By the end of Day 8, construction of the top level Patio was nearing completion (Pic 1), the intermediate perimeter steps (Pic 2) were advancing, whilst the main Patio at the lower level (Pic 3) was also beginning to emerge and take shape.

Pic 1 Patio Top Level almost completed

Pic 2 Sandstone Step detailing

Pic 3 Construction of main Patio well underway