'Coastal Retreat'

Garden Design & build

‘We were very happy with all the work carried out and it was to an exceptional standard. Always happy to go the extra mile and overcome the tricky problems you always discover on big projects. The design gave us an idea from the start how the garden would look and it is as we expected and more! We would have no hesitation in recommending Lou & Andy to anyone planning a garden make-over. We know they would be completely satisfied.’

(Jeff & Denise Clarke - Hengistbury Head)

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The front drive led the materials for the side path in order to create a seamless feel from front to back, and now leads into the dramatic garden space…

after

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A lovely union of materials with their various shades & textures that compliment, drawing you through the space…

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after

Some ornamental grasses selected from the ‘planting palette’ for the front garden for this small ‘prairie style’ border, with ‘Everedge’ to separate materials (this will rust up & pick up on the water feature).

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A sourced coastal style water feature, which has the added advantage of looking good from whatever angle it is viewed from; even from inside!

Existing shrubs that were kept have been pruned and shaped to fit in with the new design….

‘For a small garden it packs a lot of punch!’

planting pallet

The ‘Planting Palette’ below was designed for the front garden border for the same clients, which was called ‘Prairie Swirl’ that captured the essence of the area in terms of ‘right plant right place’, but also the softness and structure to reflect the surrounding coastal landscape. Some of these plants were then repeated for the back garden along with the client’s existing plants…

A very tired border left from the previous owners and re-shaped but lacking life…

Now full of new vibrant plants, which will establish nicely in the coming months & years…

A bespoke made metal sculpture ‘swirl’ to compliment the planting design that will nestle against the plants…

‘The Austrazealand border’

‘Planting Design’

‘Lou & Andy took our love of the Antipodes & the Outback and chose a lovely selection of plants that reflect that love, along with a wind spinner that mimics the colours of the eucalyptus. We are thrilled to see a range of colours, textures and shapes of plants and rejuvenated soil to give them a good start. Thank you so much!’

(Sue Dorban - Bournemouth)

‘Planting Design’

after

So much interest…

A view through…

A lovely view…

A property now with ‘curb appeal’!

Click the video below to see the ‘wind spinner’ in action, along with the wonderful array of planting textures, movement and colours…

the border cleared & the previous jumbled mess

The witch hazel pruned into more a ‘lollipop’ shape…

'Planting Design with Mini Make-Over'

“I used Lou & Andy for our small holiday home garden makeover. They were beyond patient and so accommodating with my requests and numerous delays. They were amazing with keeping me informed throughout anf they delivered the brief perfectly! I would not hesitate to highly recommend them”

(Victoria & Alex Hines - Southbourne)

A tired holiday home garden, which already had the major elements, it just needed some tweaking and an injection of style and planting. When meeting the family the only thing they gave us to consider was for their love of Ibiza. So we created a relaxed, welcoming mediterranean feel space…

An excerpt of the planting design:

a mediterranean vibe

before

Tired & overgrown…

before

Shrubs to keep in much need of shaping!

A more welcoming scene…

A lovely mimosa still adds that tropical feel with its unusual foliage & flowers in the spring, in place of less easier tree we chose to care for…

before

The previous sloped tired border….

With the added sleeper & soil topped up, this now will be more a show piece with it’s shade loving plants….

Rodgersia ‘Chocolate Wings’ was part of the shady planting, which will provide both architectural interest with gorgeous star shaped bright pink flowers…

Echinops in place of alliums due to the time of the year, alliums could be added later for spring/early summer interest…

after

The cypress trees, mixed with ornamental grasses add height, some formality & texture…

after

The lower hammock post of the two which will eventually be hugged by the fern beneath…

Tropical feel in the Cannas….

The old shed now with it’s new look with the door picking up on the fence colour…

Pebbles we found were placed here and there to add that coastal edge…

3 types of Hosta; ‘Autumn Frost’, ‘Halcyon’ and ‘Barbara Ann’ and one of our favourite Tiarella ‘Mystic Mist’…

A few fern specimens chosen, which will thrive under these shrubs and compliment the existing rhododendron…

'Mini Makeover'

(Canford Heath)

Clients knew what they wanted from their space; low maintenance (as not gardeners), an area of decking, new patio, a suitable area to house a ‘hot tub’ and a simple evergreen backbone of planting. We were able to create a design, layout and mix of materials to suit both the clients taste and budget!

before

Old block paved dangerous patio area…

after

Old decking joists that we re-cycled to form part of the new decking structure…and Lou even saved 3 pots & up-cycled for their own haven!

What a transformation! The old decking steps now gone and replaced with sleeper edged deep steps that all connects beautifully with the new large sleeper bed, the lawn a consistent level with the new sandstone paving, which nestles into the grass. The clients budget didn’t stretch to include all of the hard landscaping & they were keen to keep the existing block paving. The area for the ‘hot tub’ filled with concrete and edged with crazy paving.

before

The borders in this garden were ruthlessly stripped hard back (see below) due to neglect & some key shrubs/trees reshaped..

after

Three round posts staggered were used to both support a climbing rose, and to blur the corner of the deck.

Additional Planting: To replace some of the gaps in the large border we used Photinia Red Robin & the dwarf variety that will blur the corner of the patio, 3 types of euonymus for the pots and Choisya, Potentilla and Abelia for the large sleeper bed - which the clients can add to!

Summer Phase 2

A Garden that We Built & now Manage for Returning Clients

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A Garden that We Built & now Manage for Returning Clients 〰️

Primula vial taking centre stage…

We introduced heucheras and heucherellas to our clients & they are establishing beautifully making a perfect companion to the other plants

Cammasia the only remaining bulbs left in as they’re still providing a lovely display. This bed now with the addition of annual plants from haven Spaces…. look forward to seeing how they’ve established!

Geum ‘Mai Tai’ complimented further by an accompanying heuchera…

Oh what an entrance!

Digging up the bulbs that we hand picked in prep to store for the autumn

Rockery bursting and in bud with the next succession of delights to continue through the summer season….

Beautiful heucherellas needing no support act, although the green one at the back has now been planted with some lovely lime nicotianas, which will also provide some lovely evening scent…

A David Austin rose we planted last summer is very happy in this spot!

A jam packed border! No room for weeds here!

The courtyard in bloom with the newer hardy house plants in their macrame hangers we sourced last time…

Trailing Geraniums starting to do their thing…

'Tailored Service' - Summer Phase 1

A small garden & courtyard that we built and now manage locally for retuning clients. This recent project involved sourcing a macrame maker for ‘outdoor’ hangers and unusual evergreen plants for their tolerance to drought and aesthetic appeal! Some other garden cones were sourced for the back garden with an ‘African’ feel to compliment & reflect the style inside the conservatory. We’re gradually working our way through the other various planters & beds to prepare for a summer riot of colour!

Bespoke Project Design, Personal Shopping, Plant Sourcing & Installation

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Bespoke Project Design, Personal Shopping, Plant Sourcing & Installation 〰️

Choosing drought tolerant trailing geraniums for the limited space in china wall troughs…..

The autumn/winter hanging baskets in the background awaiting their new summer look!

other garden jobs included this visit:

Encouraged our clients to invest in some small evergreen filler plants that can be repeatedly used…

Here’s a snap shot of the tulip displays we designed for these clients, we missed some of them… but this is a pretty good example! A trusted Heuchera establishing nicely now too, one of our favourites!

The garden is establishing beautifully in it’s first year; the rockery now pretty full and providing a wonderful feast for the eyes and the lawn looking lush!

'Oriental Escape'

‘Planting Design/Mini Make-over’

‘One word….Wow!!!

We were overwhelmed with emotion when we saw the transformation of our garden. The result of creative vision and sheer hard work by Haven Spaces has given us the most beautiful garden.

Lou’s eye for plants and their combinations is just gorgeous, and together with Andy, they have given us a garden that has exceeded our expectations.

We cannot recommend this duo of Haven Spaces enough and are so grateful for the amazing result they have given us. Thank you both!’

(Sam & Scott Burford - Southbourne)

A beautiful planting pallet to choose from and most of the above has been included in this project. Lou & Andy will be returning to add the remaining perennials next year once they become available…

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A challenging steep slope that was subtly softened creating a series of tiers by initially carving a path through the space leading up to the pine tree and petering out at the top. The edge of the path was both defined & the steep side camouflaged using the Purbeck stone like ‘dry stone walling’. A lower path behind the first sleeper wall merged off and again petering out, this too created a lovely negative angular shape where the two paths meet, and a perfect spot for the ‘cloud tree’.

more details

The lavenders and rosemary that were lost in this bank were grouped like a small hedge to the left side of the steps & underplanted with some heathers we also found… The palms looking more at home clustered in this corner, which now create a soft mediterranean feel (that Scott likes) before the bank transitions into the more Japanese feel…

A handful of plants not on the design were hand picked from suppliers for both their unusual and Japanese style qualities e.g. heucherella and two very unusual cystus varieties with the prettiest of bi-colour flowers in spring!

Even dwarf varieties of euonymus that look very similar to Japanese holly, but these with a more lush tight growth appearance…

The alternate hedging plants are a good stocky size, so they will not take long to establish into a colourful interesting hedge (see Planting Design above for the varieties chosen). One of the new hydrangeas hanging onto its foliage for now…

The oak sleepers were anchored in with posts for added strength…

before

A jumbled mess….

Not a nice view…

after

The addition of a particular colour to the render has been suggested that will both compliment the planting design, but also be easier to keep clean compared to the very light reflecting white, not always practical in such an open space when there is full sun...

Although access to walk through the space was not a wish at the beginning, as we progressed Sam felt she would like to have the choice… and this path now feels like its always been there is perfect!

Lots of ‘dwarf’ varieties in this garden, such as conifers, rhododendron & azalea (see planting design above).

A selection of ferns nestled against some of the Purbeck stone, creating a lovely display all of their own in a shady part of the space… foxgloves and alliums to be added later!

Variegated dwarf rhododendron with it’s pretty leaves…

Quite a few plants as sticks, such as dwarf cherries and hydrangeas, which will be a dramatic display in the spring summer…. colour and interest all year round in this garden…

During the build you can see the carved path and membrane being laid under the ‘Cerney chippings’, which are a trusted material to use both for its aesthetic quality as well as it locking together well under foot.

A few damp days on site and a muddy mess as the space was marked out and shapes starting to emerge…

'multi mini-makeovers' phase 2

‘We just love what Andy and Lou have done done, it is beyond our dreams! Every detail has been attended to and the choice of planting is perfect!’

(Phillip & Frances Attwood - Charminster)

For the more ‘dramatic transformation’ see the earlier posting from September when the bulk of this project was started. We returned for Phase 2 after our clients had their conservatory extension completed. We laid the lawn, edging setts, the patio around the house, installing the water butts and matching into the existing ‘crazy paving’ we created last time. A nice contrast with the concrete slabs and the sandstone paving & edging setts. This project grew to include a large amount of new colourful planting to enjoy now and in anticipation for the spring! (See below).

This garden will be one in particular that we have agreed to maintain in the future and provide a seasonal hanging basket/ ongoing planting design service.

An abandoned building site…

A lush green ‘carpet’ with edging setts for easy mowing…

View from inside the new patio doors…

Even on a damp early winter evening the garden all a glow…

So much potential…

Lovely view back to the new extension...

New view from the dining table…

Extended border with 3 new shrubs for all year round interest, the bulbs neatly packed in for the anticipation of spring!

this phase also included some additional elements:

• Over 300 spring bulbs carefully selected; sunken baskets in the ground, both sleeper beds/various containers

• 7 hanging baskets; evergreen plants carefully selected, for repeated use/all year interest with seasonal plants

• A selection of evergreen plants to utilise containers, some plants acting as ‘toppers’ to bulbs planted

• The whole garden tidied up from the summer & ‘winterised’ for our busy clients to enjoy over the colder months!

  Some Examples Below:

Managed to find a few of the last white Cyclamen for a ‘pop’ of brightness that will stand out as the evenings draw in…

A compact hardy thyme nestled in at the back here, added to a few baskets for scent!

Heucherella and hellebores topping off some bulbs…

The rockery we built back in the summer will have more alpines added next spring…

Like eggs in a large carton! Dwarf Narcissus & Iris in this one….

Richness of Skimmia…

Exquisite ‘Tiger’ violas…

The little courtyard a blaze with colour & texture… scent from the wallflowers too! We will be sourcing a slim water butt for this area to install for our clients.

Every pot now has its place…

All hanging baskets utilised!

So much variety to enjoy until next spring!

Using the few bulbs clients also bought…

The larger ‘orientalis’ Hellebores in this bed on top of about 50 tulip bulbs?

Such variety in Heucherellas… love them!

Darker Heucherella ‘showy’ on it’s own!

Lovely colours & foliage variety..

Climbing rose neatly tied in…

Lots of big juicy tulip bulbs packed into this garden!

New winter jasmine planted & tied in…

Even a spot for this little gem…

Dwarf wallflower starting to flower…

'Dry Garden' - Phase 4 (& Front garden mini makeover)

" Well, they've done it again!! This is our 4th project by Haven Spaces, and yet again we are not disappointed. We had an idea in mind and Lou and Andy converted it into reality. A nice new decking area, along with a stone step and circle in our back garden along with a new pergola, trimmed Camellia bush and new "teardrop" flower bed with grasses in the front garden. The latest back garden transformation contrasts well with the previous work completed. A huge thanks to both Lou and Andy for their design ideas and for making it all come together! We would thoroughly recommend them"

(Colin & Geraldine Sharpe - West Moors)

before

A jumble of shrubs & tired hedging giving a poor view from the dining table & a generally very tired space…

Untidy lavenders in a muddled bed…

No way of seeing through into the cul-de-sac…

after

New rustic perspective pergola sitting next to the newly shaped camellia. The slate was freshened up too and a nice contrast adding the smaller more mauve shade of slate; particularly through the pergola area…

New teardrop shaped bed with added ornamental grasses and the existing lavenders moved and neatly trimmed!

The new look front cleared of unwanted tired shrubs & cut back hebe that was out of hand!

The new shaped camellia now a much prettier shape and able to get glimpses underneath from inside the bungalow…

before

The old decking had served well, but it was in desperate need of renewing…

after

A wonderful streamline deck, all neatly boxed in….

The step was designed around a hidden man hole cover. Now easy access under the shingle. This will provide space for a new water feature to be added later. A lovely sandstone mix of ‘Buff Blend’ with some real stand out gems!

Attention to detail with the shingle strip & a loose slab laid over the drain which will have a plant pot added later…

Some ‘tricky cuts’ in the decking to ensure the bespoke ‘Grey Umbra’ circle nestled tight against the decking…

Niles enjoying the autumn sunshine!

The perspective pergola that will have some added bird feeders to enjoy spotting feathered friends!

The new paving circle now with rotary line holder installed…

A lovely contrast of materials & step down onto the deck and side area of the garden…

'Little Piece of Paradise Garden'

Design and Build - back garden & mini makeover to front garden

‘A Little Piece of Paradise is finding it’s home here and my front garden has also been beautifully recreated to compliment the design. Thank you both so much for your thoughtfulness and hard work in establishing and developing the design to transform my outdoor space and produce such a beautiful piece of art! I particularly like the sensory camomile & thyme path meandering around the garden and the circles that were designed and laid (as know you were unable to get hold of the paving circle kits). I am grateful for the time you spent in making sure everything , including the electrics, worked together well, and also adding in the light sensor. I have discovered that I can prune back much harder than I had before with the tips I have picked up and I look forward to seeing the beds fill out in the coming months & seasons. This morning I enjoyed secretly watching three blackbirds frantically plucking their breakfast from the soil in two of the new teardrop beds. This was a much appreciated first at my home!’

(Helen Robert - Alder Hills)

Full Colour Design with Painting Pallet

We only provided the sensory path planting for the back garden due to our client’s budget and she is gradually buying many of the plants we chose for the design. The client’s existing plants now have a new life due to being moved to places they will thrive, and now framed within the new shapes of this design….

before

Tired, dangerous, trip hazards and in need of TLC!

after

Alternate planting of camomile and two types of creeping thyme for the sensory path…

A feminine Japanese feel as we set out to achieve…

Lovely crazy paving that you now step onto from both the dining room and kitchen doors…

Each material framed by the next…

Bamboo style water feature with it’s gentle trickling sound…

Our client gradually filling the bed….

the garden at dusk/night…

The garden starts to take on a new life as it turns to dusk…

Even at night time the path entices you through…

“I am grateful for the time you spent in making sure everything , including the electrics, worked together well, and also adding in the light sensor”

— Helen Robert

before

A depressing view!

after

As you brush against/tread on these sensory plants the scent is released…

Camomile establishing nicely…

Creeping thymes starting to merge & fill the pockets…

The planters appear part of the fencing in the same shade of green with the lovely Japanese style arch

Plenty of planting space…

We had so many shapes to play with for this area…

A bench to be added under the arch at a later date…

Looking back to the house…

One of two acers that had to be moved and/or reshaped and replanted that took on a whole new look in their new positions…

front garden

‘…My front garden has also been beautifully recreated to compliment the design’ - Helen Robert

before

Very over grown with old Leylandii conifers in the front…

after

Welcome home, oh what curb appeal! Clear boundary between next door and a new sandstone path…

Many plants were moved, re-shaped, and re-planted in this project. This was one collection to utilise some pots, which were scattered around the old back garden. An idea to create a ‘mini’ Sissinghurst feel with a collection of white flowing perennials and shrubs that sit neatly in the corner…

We built up this corner so our client doesn’t over wheel her bins into place - a lovely little detail.

Miscanthus grasses providing architectural height, interest throughout the autumn/winter with their beautiful seed heads and elegant movement in this classy front garden…

The Cerney Cotswold chippings fill in the negative spaces between the paving and edging setts beautifully…

before

Not a welcome home…

after

A centre tear drop bed to reflect the back garden. The bed filled with pre-loved plants from the back & front; grouped together, thinned back & planted with the right companion plants. We added 3 large ornamental grasses of Miscanthus and Penstemon…

Photinia ‘Little Red Robin’ now provides a boundary with next door and frames the front, which will eventually merge to form a short hedge, that now provides so much interest throughout the whole year with its pretty ‘red robin’ tips and creamy white flowers in spring… one of our favourites!

A lovely neat edge that helps frame the whole space…

New garden on the block!

'Psalm 23 Garden'

Design & Some Input later

‘We gave Lou & Andy an unusual and challenging design specification; unusual because of the scale of the project, and because we wanted the garden to reflect Psalm 23 – ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’. Lou & Andy have clearly invested much love, time and expertise in this design and have included things we would never have imagined. We are excited to continue to work with them to see this garden come to life.’

(A Church in Dorset)

A large A1 Full Colour Design.

Materials & bespoke features suggested for this design come from an array of past smaller garden design & builds we have completed, inspiration from well known garden visits to places like Hilliers and our ever growing love for creating unique and unusual nature loving spaces!

Our initial design inspiration was from RHS Bridgewater, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, in particular the Community Well-Being Garden with it’s curved shapes & accessibility to all. We also reflected upon Sarah Eberle’s Pslam 23 garden (due to be revealed at Chelsea this year). But the imagery was particularly evoked and became alive when absorbing ‘The Message’ translation of Psalm 23. Three words summed up this message; FAITH, LOVE and HOPE, which the garden needed to provide; a place to stand still, rest, reflect & restore. Breaking this verse down, designing each element of the space to draw people through, which would enable them to experience what the garden could offer; a personal individual journey to stimulate the senses whether just passing through or seeking a place to rest a while and take stock or to gather and share some quiet time with others...

'Multi Mini Makeovers'

phase 1

Additions & corrections to an already started back garden; including moving existing plants and finding new companion plants, additional fencing, garden furniture renovation, re-vamping a courtyard and freshening up the curb appeal at the front! Following a Design Consultation and in depth discussion leading to a comprehensive detailed Estimate with ‘mini sketch’…

‘We so love what Andy and Lou have done. Not only have they realised our dream for what the garden should be, but they have added extra details we would never have thought of. The garden is beautiful beyond our imagining, but also practical so that we can reach to water the plants, and have a washing line. They have a really good knowledge of plants, choosing them both for appearance and habit. They have a real eye for both the overall design and the tiniest detail. Both the structural work, paving and landscaping, and the planting were done with such care. They took time to understand what we wanted while making helpful suggestions. We appreciated being told of the schedule each day and they always came when they said.’

(Frances & Phillip Attwood - Charminster)

back garden…

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before

At the start measuring up….

after

Lovely ‘Monet’ arch from ‘Agrframes’ with a new David Austin rose and winter flowering jasmine to follow. Using client’s existing pre-bought concrete slabs, giving a surprisingly clean look!

Clematis’ and pyracantha happy in their new planting pocket!

‘Rudbekia’ as big as your hand & 5ft tall!

A bug hotel for solitary bees….

Re-built rockery with further hand picked alpines with an alpine grit drainage strip along the front to act as a ‘buffer’ between the paving & soil…

courtyard…

before

Old tatty paving now gone & ready for it’s make-over!

after

Drainage provided all the way around this area via a shingle strip…

Attention to detail around the edges to finish off around gully & manhole cover…

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after

The edging setts to the new lawn for Phase 2 will complete this edge…

We love how our left over sandstone slabs can be used creatively…

before

Very tired and worn, already a 2nd hand piece of furniture to our clients…

after

Renovated in a rich green…

We found the perfect 5ft ‘verbena bonariensis’ that accompanies the ‘Rudbekia’ perfectly!

A favourite of ours Echinacea ‘White Swan’

Re-locating water butts and composter…

Verbascum, another ‘bee friendly’ addition… attracting the bees as soon as we brought it around the back!

refreshed curb appeal…

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after

A small area of tarmac to patch in to existing drive…

Patch-working existing tarmac using both ‘brush in’ and ‘alpine grit’…

'Secret Hideaway Garden'

‘Design and Build’ (Phase 1)

A side garden now providing the perfect practical space and a front garden with drive to park the car with curb appeal! The priority was to create parking at the front and maximise the space at the side of the house, being mindful of privacy to next door. Retaining part of the garage wall that was going to be rendered, however this was too expensive. So we painted the reconstructed wall instead, which now creates a welcoming entertainment space to hug its diners… giving a subtle glimpse to the back garden once it’s completed.

‘We would like to thank Andy and Lou for transforming our front & side garden. Andy and Lou are very creative and highly skilled professionals who always listened to us. We are looking forward to relaxing in our beautiful garden’.

Nigel & Misako Jools - Pokesdown

Basic Sketch with no Planting…

A lovely transformation to a very tired & neglected space. Although only part the design realised so far it has made a drastic difference both practically and aesthetically for this couple. When we first met our clients they didn’t want anything too unusual, so we had to strike a balance to create a garden that reflected their dream for the space & make it very unique and personal to them.

before

after

The various colours in the ‘Fernlea’ Sandstone paving circle, which will look like this once the client gets us back in the autumn to seal all the paving….

before

after

New gate brought forward to allow for bin storage behind and out of sight… and a practical path to wheel the bins out.

Gate neatly finished off with gravel boards…

Neat grey setts frame the space well and contrast nicely with the other materials… (we had to patch in the pavement to meet the new driveway edge so there was a neat transition).

before

after

Clients went for ‘cerney chippings’ in place of the crazy paving to reduce some of the material/labour cost, but it certainly doesn’t compromise on the design finish.

Love the natural ‘Umbra’ sandstone which occasionally provides a surprise… this unique slab after it was laid shows the iron mineral deposits left in the sand layers as the stone was forming now rusting as exposed to air and water… so unique.

before

after

A subtle transition of materials to provide a welcoming entrance…

A bit of patch-work to join the tarmac pavement (which is in much need of renewing!) that now allows access to the front to park a car…

'The Muse and Fest Garden'

design and build

'From our first interaction with Lou & Andy they were super friendly and engaging. They listened thoughtfully and asked the right questions to get us thinking about our design and requirements. We were excited for the big reveal a couple of weeks later and enjoyed our own personal 'Garden Rescue' moment! Their design sparked further thoughts and ideas we hadn't considered and we're excited to take the next steps to turn it into reality with them!'

(Kelly & Andy - Charminster).

Part of our approach at Haven Spaces is to design every space that is unique to the client, which could be anything from a memory, a holiday destination, an item or in this case our client’s love of music and festivals. The design needed to be practical, easy to maintain and mindful of the existing upper deck view and to make the new outdoor room feel part of the garden space…

Full Colour Design - Level 3

NB: A Planting Pallet was included for the above design, but the clients budget couldn’t stretch to include this.

planting design for front garden… to be commissioned at a later date.

Planting Pallet

while the clients really loved the design, their original budget altered which meant they could not execute the whole design. the elements they did go ahead with had to be modified to reflect this. the result however still created a cohesive flow through the space in keeping with the essence of the design. this also gave them freedom to undertake some of the elements themselves at a later date.

‘We are delighted with the wonderful garden Haven Spaces created for us. A number of friends have commented how it’s been transformational and we agree. We can’t wait to enjoy much more time outside with family and friends and see it continue to grow and evolve’.

(Kelly & Andy - Charminster).

The original sleeper bed was never finished - it needed ‘anchoring’ into the lower garden…

the summer house like it has ‘just landed’ - it’s now integrated…

'The Light of Life Garden'

Design and Build

‘We now have our garden back and it’s practically manageable; enabling us to access the whole garden without the use of steps if needed later in life and its very attractive’

(David & Jenny - Canford Cliffs)

Unusually the design was modified as at the initial consultation stage there was very little to base the design on, and the main focus of the design was a solution for the awkward levels and vast expanse of grass, which would regularly die in the summer due to the hot aspect. Also to incorporate a slope both for easy lawn mower access and the option to access the lower garden without having to go down steps. The deck area was also made perpendicular to the house, a preferred option for the client. They also wanted to remove the barked area and maximise the amount of grass, so the eventual design had fewer curves.

Shortly prior to completion and erecting the balustrades the clients also later decided they preferred the openness of the deck, so thus creating a gap between the sleeper bed and the decking, which needed to be filled. We were able to utilise the already painted balustrade posts as an aesthetic solution. The increased oak sleeper bed planting space now providing a lovely back drop of plants that will also be viewed from inside. It was suggested to the clients with the increased planting area, to add a selection of ornamental grasses (to the already designed planting pallet for these beds), which would provide a lovely structure and rhythm and frame the edge of the deck, complementing the existing pallet given; which has some lovely tall pollinator friendly plants,(that both adults and grandchildren would love!) like verbena and Veronicastrum!

Level 2 Design with Planting Pallet.

A garden that needed some practical problem solving with awkward and unsafe levels that made it a challenge to access the whole space from the house with a very tired lawn. The design includes a dramatic raised decking area (using a new composite decking) linking in to a sandstone paving space that would provide both a practical solution for the whole family to entertain and hang out together. The remaining space left would provide a more manageable turf area for the grandchildren to play! Further shaping & tidying of the perimeter will bring existing plants alive with further companion plants, which the clients will add at a later date.

before

after

before

after

Crisp composite decking glides over the old concrete by the house, whilst the new sandstone steps ‘snuggle’ up against the existing Purbeck dry stone wall… both of these being ‘hugged’ by the new raised sleeper bed.

'Nature's Embrace'

design & build (phase 1)

'Andy & Lou have transformed my front garden from lawn and tarmac to such a stylish place that I can hardly believe it's mine! The design process was made easy, as they really listened to what I wanted, and were able to suggest ideas I would never have thought about. A total professional service from initial consultation to finish. My garden makes me happy now!' (Suzanne - Poole)

Front gardens are being more appreciated in recent times as it impacts your mood in being the first thing you see when you arrive home. This garden examples beautifully the detail which is depicted in the planting, textures & patterns. Secondly it provides practicality in the drive and pathway, privacy with the dividing ‘instant hedge’ and despite being a small space, its presents how you can include multiple elements; grass, cobbles, paving circle and plants that provide structure, scent, colour and interest throughout the year, which will also be easy to maintain!

A very aged & tired before photo…

Where two differing pointing materials contrast…

The varying beauty in the grey sandstone cobbles…

The instant hedge helping to frame the space…

Now so much to admire (a treasured rose of the clients now with its own bed).

A rustic stylish driveway with manhole cover nicely disguised… the client wanted to keep the passion flower as another reminder of past memories…

Lovely meeting of existing materials in the porch area…

Smaller cobbled path merging with the driveway…

The anticipation of Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’

‘Lower Paradise Garden Design’

design only (at this stage)

‘Lou and Andy attended and evaluated our site and listened carefully to our requirements. The design they produced was imaginative and appropriate, and we are very grateful. It was a pleasure working with Lou and Andy and we would have no hesitation engaging them again’.

(Gideon & Ava - Canford Cliffs)

'Bespoke Children's Climbing Frame'

design and build

An unusual one for Haven Spaces, while we’ve designed and built stand alone bespoke elements within various designs, it’s our first climbing frame! The clients gave us the freedom to maximise what we could fit into the designated space as long as we included the specific requested elements e.g. monkey bars. The final frame was a stripped back version due to the budget. It would provide a sturdy frame to add various elements such as a swing, climbing rope wall and a ‘mud kitchen’ for the the youngest member of the family!

'In Awe at Sea Garden Design'

design only

‘A coastal garden with a woodland edge, capturing the essence of life by the sea for a family with a love for the ocean as they continue to make special memories of times together…. making use of all the space with elements of intrigue and exploration’.

'The Secret Garden Design'

‘Lou and Andy have a wonderful eye for planting and structure that is aesthetically pleasing and practical’.

(Jane Lucas - Boscombe)

Design and build

Following on from two Interior Design projects for the same client with the same theme it was a real joy to create a Garden inspired by a ‘secret garden’, with all it’s intrigue and the potential to include a lot of detail as you journey through the space. There are lots of differing materials as you transition through the space and interesting elements that catch the eye, we also utilised many existing vintage containers; butler sinks, metal baths and other unique containers in this wonderful quirky design!

The interior design also fed into the space, for example, the music note shape (reminiscent of the recent Photo Feature Wall Lou designed) that hugs around the mosaic swirl detail area that leads you up to the shed door, and the ‘kite shape’ detail reflecting one of the photos Lou used on the wall of the client’s children.

The planting design and pallet needed to be easy to manage, but not lacking in interest and colour throughout the year! The front garden to the property was also included for some ‘mini-makeover’ elements; to adjust the path, replace the pergola, a planting scheme for the long entrance border and for a transition down the side path leading to the back garden into what will be the new patio for Phase 1 of this design. There are also some repeated key plants for both front & back garden to create some rhythm and a cohesive theme throughout.

before

after

All the shapes from the design now presented in reality… the old sinks and other containers to be added to the ‘kite’ shaped plant theatre at a later date.

The journey down the path now a pleasant one…

A wonderful welcome at the end of the side path….

Long view back to the house…

Some more details…

The illusion mirror really does make you linger to see if the garden goes beyond the boundary…

The foxgloves and stepping stones entice you to go further down the imaginary path….

Pleasant to now step out from the conservatory onto sandstone paving framed with oak sleeper and low stone walling with Photinia ‘Red Robin’ hedging…

The willow screen secured on chestnut posts with leather just blurs the compost bins and provides more of a self contained utility area… the remaining plants that followed further disguise this area.

One of the two circles, a lovely spot for morning coffee…

Where various materials meet…

The shed entrance now also has some detail…

Very ‘Secret Garden’ stepping stones in the border to aid stepping through when watering & deadheading etc…

Lots of interesting shapes in the crazy pave circle in various tones of ginger, which the Photinia ‘Red Robin’ sits proudly behind, which once established will merge into a lovely condensed hedge…