Perfect For Outdoor Living

Introduction

For this London project near Kew Gardens, the aim was to soften the transition between house

and garden. The result is a space that feels like a true extension of the home—welcoming,

beautiful, and usable all year round.

Where Vision and Detail Create Distinctive Gardens

When we first met the clients, the house was mid-construction: excavations, structural works, and shifting site levels. That made the garden design more challenging, but also more exciting: we had the freedom to craft something truly integrated with the architecture.

Even though the plot was modest in size (as many urban gardens are), the brief was ambitious:

●Create separate seating and dining areas

●Provide discreet storage and BBQ area

●Ensure year-round visual interest

A Garden On Two Levels

To realise that brief, we divided the garden into two distinct areas:

Upper terrace: paved with limestone, this area connects directly with the kitchen diner. It’s the more formal seating zone.

Lower terrace : Dutch pavers define the more informal dining area.

Materials transitions: a decking “bridge” on one side, and a stepping-stone path through planting (with creeping thyme) on the other, soften the transitions and invite exploration.

This multi level approach gives the garden structure, depth, and variation.

Planting Palette: Texture, Movement & Seasonal Interest

The clients didn’t want a rigid, minimalist garden. Instead, we focused on a planting style that changes,

moves, and delights through the year:

In the shadier lower level, we used largely foliage-based planting, enhancing the structural greens with seasonal highlights. Summer colour is provided by Hydrangeas and Astrantias, and in winter evergreen Daphne that fill the space with fragrance and colour.

On the upper level, the central bed, which is visible from many angles, is a riot of colour and form, with

Spring bulbs and masses of purple Alliums, followed by summer flowering perennials and grasses,

including Sesleria autumnalis which brings movement and softness to the space.

Meanwhile, the corten steel planters and edging provide structure, contrast, and texture, as well as acting as a modern foil to the lush planting.

Subtle Features & Night-time Ambience

One of the factors that makes a garden feel unique is the inclusion of individual elements that enhance the enjoyment of the space. A floating bench tucked behind the BBQ, underplanted with ferns and softly illuminated at night is one such example, as is the remote-controlled awning over the sliding doors, which provides vital shade during the hotter summer months. Subtle lighting is another element that comes into its own and shifts the mood as day turns into night.

Discover how your outdoor space can become your favourite room.

A well-designed garden doesn’t just sit outside—it connects with the home, extends living space, and becomes part of daily life. In this project, thoughtful design and detail transformed a modest urban plot into a space that feels generous, alive, and beautifully composed.

Start your journey to a distinctive garden.

Think of your garden as not only being a wonderful backdrop when viewed from within, but also a space to step into, use, and enjoy throughout the year. Just as every room indoors is shaped with care, your outdoor space deserves the same attention. With clever design and thoughtful planting, we at The Distinctive Gardener can transform it into a place of beauty, comfort, and discovery. It’s about creating a living space that feels uniquely yours—where the seasons bring delight and the magic of nature is always close at hand.

"Nick and Doug designed our dream garden – colourful, whimsical and forever changing with the seasons. It brings us a great deal of joy, both to look at and to sit in. They listened carefully to what we wanted from a garden and worked very flexibly to ensure that the landscaping was able to slot in with our house build. Their landscaping team were very efficient and friendly and their work was of excellent quality. Nick and Doug were flexible about delaying the planting until the rest of our build project was ready and it was certainly worth the wait. They hand-picked all of our plants, from the mature trees and shrubbery that make it look so established, to the smaller, colourful herbs and flowers that draw the eye. The result was a garden we will use all year round and admire constantly. We would recommend the Distinctive Gardener to anyone looking to change their outdoor space." -  Rebecca & Matthias, Kew TW9