MODERN BOHEMIAN

Lauren Lewis and boyfriend Adam transformed an unloved garden into a beautiful social space that’s now perfect for relaxing and entertaining

ON moving into their new home, Lauren Lewis and her boyfriend, Adam, had big plans for their outdoor plot. ‘We loved the size of the space,’ Lauren says. ‘We wanted to make the most of the area so we could enjoy it through the summer.’ Their large, north-facing garden had been halfheartedly tackled by the previous owners, then left to overgrow. At one end there was raised concrete platform with a shed, and the fences to one side were rotten. ‘We had to strip it all out and start again,’ says Lauren.

Tackling the house first gave the couple time to think about their outdoor space. ‘We knew we wanted to create a modern bohemian vibe with lots of greenery – and, to finish off, a large entertaining area,’ says Lauren. The couple hired a local landscaping company to clear the old fencing and a crumbling dividing wall that ran along one side of the garden. ‘We used the dismantled brick wall as hardcore for the back section of the garden to create two distinct levels,’ Lauren says. ‘We also had trenches dug for the wall planters and added steps in between.’

It was up to Lauren and Adam to fill the space with colour and life.

Now they’ve finished, next on the list is to add more climbing plants to soften the borders. ‘We’ve not had much of a chance to enjoy our garden properly yet – we’ve been too busy finishing it off,’ Lauren says. ‘We have plans to host a barbecue party soon.’ One family member who is extremely happy with the result is the couple’s cat, Penelope. ‘I think Penelope loves this garden more than us,’ Lauren adds. ‘She plays in the grasses and hides under the bushes where she can watch the birds and butterflies in peace.’

BEFORE