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

Sandstone Garden Patios

Posted on November 14th, 2009

Our efforts over the last twelve weeks are now coming to fruition, and as we begin to complete our final touches, all aspects are begining to come to light and reveal with great excitement the pleasing lines, levels and of course the natural beauty and colour of natural sandstone patios.  In this project we have used Ravena sandstone for all patio works.

Soft Landscaping with Trees

Posted on October 8th, 2009

After yesterday’s heavy rainshowers which forced us to abandon  early, work resumed today. Whilst exacavations of Driveway area continued, in the rear garden we completed the sandstone paving of an what will be a partly enclosed adjoining space (Utility area), the Sandstone setts at entrance to rear garden area and the installation of Setts for the lawn edging/mowing continued to advance. 

Completion of Sandstone paving in Utility area

Detail of Sandstone setts at entrance to Rear garden

Sandstone Setts define planting areas at Patio

Detail of perimeter planting area at Patio

Sandstone setts used as Lawn edge and define Planting areas

As the completion of the hard landscaping works in Rear garden nears, I suppose we approach what is for many landscapers, a very exciting phase of any new project and that is of course the soft landscaping phase, ie, planting phase. I often wonder what the unsuspecting people makes of the terms ‘hard’ and ’soft’ landscaping. I’m sure one could interpret the distinction as ‘hard’ meaning difficult, ie constructional aspects, and ’soft’ , ie planting being somewhat easier.  Of course this might be the case in complex construction type projects, but believe you me, there are projects where the scale involving planting of very mature plant specimens, is indeed very difficult and labour intensive. As in all large projects, the best way to eat an elephant, is in tiny bits, and so no longer able to control our excitement, we took the opportunity to plant some trees and what a difference they make. We’ll wait now until the garden lighting has been installed before resuming the planting. But here are some photos of what we planted earlier today providing another aspect or glimpse of the new garden and the shape of things to come!     

Tree cluster featuring Olives and Acers

The magnificent Olive tree - for many, a most welcomed non-native tree species

The Acers (Japanese Maples) nestled at rear will benefit from the shelter provided by the fencing and the protective dappled shade of the Olives at the front

The cluster of trees will provide height and colour within this feature planted area, and the eye-catching tree shadows on the garden fencing!

Acer palmatum 'Sangokaku' (Japenese Maple) - stunning colour and form

Sandstone Setts – the design features

Posted on October 6th, 2009

Natural Sandsone Setts are an appealing and versatile element for inclusion in any garden design project. Available in a range (light, medium and indeed dark tones) of colours and sizes, they are ideal as a practical lawn edge, permanently defining the lawn profile, a robust barrier/buffer between lawn making them an ideal mowing strip (Tip: the sett level should be 25 mm/1″ below lawn level and also no need for a strimmer!).  Setts can also be used very effectively to separate lawn from planted or indeed pebbled areas, make an attractive trim to pathways as well as Patios.

Installing setts as a lawn edge is relatively straight forward, first excavate channel, place hardcore in end of channel, and carefully position setts in a sand cement bed (typically 75mm/3″ deep), ensuring that the setts are straight (linear layout) or concentric (use builders line to check each sett) if design is a radial. Each sett should be embedded securely or well haunched, and each sett should be checked with spirit level. A few photos from our current project will help to illustrate these points: 

Excavate channel

Put hardcore (foundation) in base of excavated channel

Lining up setts alongside prepared channel makes for speedy installation

Sand & cement is used to secure Sandstone Setts in situ

Utilising Sandstone Setts to profile Patio and lawn edge

Sandstone Setts make an attractive finish to Patio edge

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.

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.

Building a new Garden

Posted on September 25th, 2009

The current fine weather is an ideal time to achieve good progress with site works, and this is evident with a number of project aspects, ie, fencing including painting is now completed and the ground is being slowly cleared of any residual debris from earlier excavations and trenching.  

Meanwhile the Retaining Sandstone wall for the Raised Vegetable garden area is progressing well and begining to take shape, whilst the main patio area which will be extend over a number of levels and featuring Indian Sandstone (Ravena) is begining to evolve and to take shape.

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.  

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.