We divided the garden into three sections to maximise the usability of the space. Directly outside the back door sits a patio for flexible seating, surrounded by herb-filled pots for the kitchen. Beyond that a square lawn is surrounded on all for sides by planting beds to conjure a feeling of immersion within the planting, wherever you are in the garden.

We opted for cottage style planting for its looseness; softening the edges of the geometric layout and creating a sense of wildness and depth. At the far end we designed a dining area beneath a pergola, providing vertical structure and shade. Along both sides of the garden we planted rows of pleached pear trees for added privacy and seasonal interest.

The garden is visible from the kitchen through large glass doors, so it has to look good all year round, which we achieved through the plentiful use of evergreen grasses and shrubs, and architectural perennials which hold their structure through the colder months.