Owen Chubb Garden Landscapers Limited is an award winning garden landscaping company in Dublin, Ireland. This is our blog where we share our ideas, day-to-day experiences and inspiration. More about us...

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A new family garden with design, interest and uses

Posted on December 24th, 2009

Our final project for 2009 was a large urban site in Blackrock County Dublin. From the very outset our clients were very clear with their requirements: a garden which had to fulfill or satisfy a range of demands including space for the young children to play with the family young puppy, an area to play football, an area in which grow vegetables and perhaps fruit, a garden to admire and enjoy an attractive lawn and interestring planting schemes, and finally an area in which to store various items securely. It might appear all straightforward but to add a slight complication, the site was far from clear and featured distinctive sloping aspects throughout.

Once the site had been cleared, worked commenced on grading the site and to create a series of terraces with the highest at the back (upper lawn) and grading downwards towards front (a planted buffer zone separating lawn area from football area) which was also separate from the enclosed vegetable garden which was next up from the entrance level and garden shed.

Some other works completed included the construction of an enclosure for the puppy as well as some wall cladding/trellissing to conceal some unappealling unrendered blockwork wall finishes etc.

Entrance to Dog Enclosure

Entrance to Dog Enclosure

Planting at Dog enclosure featured Hardenbegia and Libertia.

Planting at Dog enclosure featured Hardenbegia and Libertia.

View towards entrance (southern)to enclosed Vegetable garden area

View of entrance (southern) to enclosed Vegetable garden area

Enclosed Vegetable garden Entrance/exit (northern)

Enclosed Vegetable garden Entrance/exit (northern)

Stepping stone pathway linking Vegetable garden to Garden Shed

Stepping stone pathway linking Vegetable garden to Garden Shed

View towards Boundary of prepared ground of Vegetable garden

View towards Boundary of prepared ground of Vegetable garden

View towards House of well prepared ground of Vegetable garden

View towards House of well prepared ground of Vegetable garden

A rendered and secure garden shed

A rendered and secure garden shed

View of football play area

View of football play area

View of upper lawn area

View of upper lawn area

Sandstone setts were used to delineate lawn profile

Sandstone setts were used to delineate lawn profile

View of Ornamental Grasses/Herbaceous planting area

View of Ornamental Grasses/Herbaceous planting area

Feature planting included Tree Ferns and slow but low growing Bamboos

Feature planting included Tree Ferns and slow but low growing Bamboos

Old granite wall provides an excellent backdrop to planting scheme

Old granite wall provides an excellent backdrop to planting scheme

Part views of distinctive varying profiles of lawn & planted areas

The gentle sweep of lawn edge/planted areas provides added interesting

Sweeping lawn edges create variable planted space possibilities

Sweeping lawn edges create variable planted space possibilities

The original Post & Panel fencing was painted green to make it less conspicuous

The original Post & Panel fencing was painted green to make it less conspicuous

Practical and robust planting (Pittosporum Tom Thumb and Libertia) at rear of football area

Practical and robust planting (Pittosporum Tom Thumb and Libertia) at rear of football area

A roll turf provides an ideal and instant finish look to a new lawn

Roll turf provides an ideal and instant finish look to a new lawn

 

Timber cladding with trellissing provides a coherent but attractive finish

Timber cladding with trellissing provides a coherent but attractive finish

Landscaping with Ravena Sandstone paving

Posted on August 6th, 2009

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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Soothing Sound – Ideas for Water Features

Posted on January 9th, 2008

The soothing sound of cascading water can create a relaxing and welcome feature in any garden. Landscape Designer Owen Chubb turns on some ideas.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Autumn/Winter Issue 2006/2007 (pdf)

Planning Your Perfect Outdoor Living

Posted on January 9th, 2008

Owen Chubb, Landscape Designer, offers some practical advice on designing, building and planting your Outdoor Living Space.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Summer Issue 2006 (pdf)