GREEN LIGHT

Taking inspiration from nature, this south London garden redesign brought a shady space to life

Contrasting foliage textures and the use of dappled light to animate the space were the main considerations when redesigning this shady garden. The family have lived in the house for 20 years and had decided it was time to rethink the garden’s existing look. With the children now grown and flown, the owners wanted to redesign the space to reflect their new lifestyle as empty nesters. ‘They were very engaged in the design process from start to finish,’ says designer Jane Brockbank.

The project began with the redesign of the existing swimming pool and the addition of a contemporary modular garden studio by Ecospace. ‘The challenge was working out how to integrate these new elements, while at the same time creating a more inviting space,’ explains Jane. The intention was to position the new studio in the rear section of the garden, a shady space dominated by trees. ‘First we had to make a decision about which trees to retain and which to lose. The garden is also shaded by two enormous London plane trees, which have tree preservation orders. We had to tread very lightly.’ In addition, the Tudor rear wall formed part of

Henry VIII’S estate and is also listed.

The owners wanted a studio space to escape

London’s hectic pace. Set among the trees, it is a place of peace, reflection and creativity that also incorporates a mini gym and sauna. The infinity pool was conceived as a water feature, as well as somewhere to swim. The mosaic design features a meandering stream that is made up of blue, green and transparent glass pebbles, all set on a bed of fluorescent grout that has a subtle luminosity at dusk. The plan was to make the path alongside the pool as evergreen as possible but also have something that was suitable to walk on with bare feet. Jane experimented with different types of creeping plants around the steeping stones that would ‘knit together’ to create softness underfoot.

The shady aspect of the garden meant the redesign took its inspiration from nature, essentially creating →

A stepping stone path cuts across the lawn to a dining area. Carefully selected planting includes Libertia grandiflora and Geranium nodosum ‘Clos du Coudray’

The cedar garden studio is by Ecospace. It incorporates a mini gym and sauna

Chairs on the lawn viewed through the wispy heads of Astrantia major ‘Large White’