Garden design makeover - 20 years and still blooming

It dawned on me today that this month marks the 20 year anniversary of my work as an independent garden designer. Not including the time I spent working and learning on gardens in London for another firm beforehand, it's been 20 years since I embarked on my first solo project for a photographer, a product designer and their family in Acton, west London.

Garden design preparation

Garden design preparation

These pictures don't do justice to the state of the garden when we began and lots of weeding and clearing of old buried rubbish had already taken place at this stage.

The clients needed a garden on a budget, but wanted to keep the garden layout simple, have space for pretty flowers, as well as a lawn for small children and outdoor dining.

Acton garden design

My garden design utilised the existing levels, creating a two tier garden which defined the space. The garden design incorporated a built-in bench to delineate the transition from the lower decking area to the larger lawn area above, and a large bench was built into the far corner away from the house to be used as a relaxing space in the sun, for lazy days with big cushions, drinks, friends and good books.

Evergreen jasmine and Lavender along side passage to garden

Lavender and Alchemilla mollis in a London garden

Al fresco dining in the garden with Lavender hedge

Decked path to garden shed lined with pretty flowers

Pink roses and Alchemilla mollis in a garden

Decked path to garden room lined with Lavender and evergreen jasmine

Garden dining area surrounded with Lavender and Olive tree

I can't believe this garden I designed was created 20 years ago. It was wonderful to see this garden design take shape at the time and I have loved seeing photos of it now and then on social media as it has matured over those two decades. It is a garden that has stood the test of time. It has been used for entertaining with friends, photo shoots and family time with children which would never have been possible in its previous state.

It goes to show that transforming your outside space into a beautiful garden really can bring so much enjoyment.

Thank you Carolyn and Antonio for asking me to design your garden all those years ago.

Some of the plants you will see in these photos: Alchemilla mollis, Lavender, Roses, Trachelospermum jasminoides alba, and a pretty Olive tree.

#gardendesign

#gardendesigner

#kentgardendesign

#sevenoaksgardendesign

#gardentransformation

#gardenmakeover

#plantingdesign