'What you can achieve in a small space!'

'mini make-over'

'I had a picture in my mind of reclaiming an untidy messy part of my small back garden by having climbing scented shrubs against my tired side fence.  What I got was a completely transformed area of 'Chelsea Flower Show' standard beyond my wildest dreams!  I had everything I wanted and much much more.  Thank you Andy & Lou'

(Bob Tedder - Northbourne)

 

before

A tired mess in need of some order and purpose.

after

The use of colour renews a tired fence, providing a lovely canvas for wooden structures & planting.  A higher raised bed to the left, which will provide space for vegetable planting.  Using two heights for sleeper beds helped with the existing slope/old patio levels.

Designing a matching log roll container, sinking it into the paving creating a seamless flow from one material to the next; provides a container for the existing bean tree stump (which will grow afresh).

A variety of scented climbers & dwarf versions of some of our perennial favourites will welcome various insects into the space.  The crazy paving adds further colour & interesting shapes.

A new plant to us 'Itea' - an evergreen shrub (common name, Holly Leaved White Spire) with honey scented flowers up to 30cm!   

Heucheras provide a beautiful contrast in colour against each other & will compliment the tree when it grows back, the lake blue shade we chose for the fence has grounded the colour into the space by use of the planter.

A new favourite of ours..... Pyracantha 'Orange Glow', a specimen tree in the corner, simply stunning!  Will both provide colour through the colder months & attract various birds too, what could be better!

The planting provides lots of all year round interest with the added paint colour that lifts the whole space & the pathway down the side of the house makes the trip to the wheely bin a nicer experience!

We will be returning to this garden soon to add the next phase, which will be an autumn/winter themed bed that will provide interest prior to a meadow being sown in the spring!

'Small Project without Design'

'mini make-over'

A tired crazy paving in need of a make-over!

Before...                                      

After...

The area of patio was slightly enlarged, keeping the curved shape and using existing Purbeck stone to retain the border edge. The colours of Fernlea Sandstone subtly compliment the house. 

'Functional Family Garden' - Phase 2

'design and build'

It was lovely to return to this project continuing in the next phase.  Also it was great timing for the family due to the first glimpses of spring, so they could start enjoying their new space!   

Before...

After...

Design alterations to accommodate clients needs...

As you can see from the design below, while keeping the overall circular shapes, the intermediate edging within the lawn was removed & the surface area of the lawn was expanded.  This provided more space for play!  The paving circle was taken out and the paving was extended to maximise more useable space for entertaining etc.  Due to expanding the lawn area, one of the sleeper beds was also removed.  The pergola maybe added at a later date once the family have had time to live with the space.  

The use of Fossil Sandstone against the both the Raj setts and Cerney stone compliment each other beautifully in colour and texture... 

The negative shapes are really highlighted here by the Cerney stone & edging...

This one looks like a piece of coral...

We loved the amount of variation and detail in this batch of sandstone; as you never know what you're going to get due to it being a natural material.  

We love how our designs provide and highlight the differing shapes & angles depending where you stand in the space, giving you a unique experience of the garden from different points.

We await an ariel picture of the garden from our clients, that will put the whole design in context, so will share in due course.

'Functional Family Garden - Phase 1'

'design and build'

'We highly recommend Andy & Lou.  From design to completion, they have worked quickly and efficiently to help us transform our garden into something we could only dream of!  Their vision and teamwork has really created something magical and we look forward to working with them again in the New Year to complete our garden design.'  

(Helen & Dave Brown - Southbourne)

After...    (Ariel photo taken from bedroom window)

The first part of the build for this design (see our home page for the design) has now been completed.  This included a summer house base and surrounding decking, which sits upon a bespoke sandstone wall.  As you can see form the design we have followed the curved shapes, which ground the summer house and will compliment the further design elements of the design.   

Before...

The unusual shape of this deck looks good from all angles...

Small Project without Design

'mini make-over'

'My small North facing 'plot' was in a very sad state, but with Andy and Lou's excellent vision, ideas and hard work the plot has blossomed into a delightful garden and makes the most of a sunny spot.  I was thrilled to see the garden evolve on a day to day basis, I am also enjoying the 'Wow' when family and friends see it for the first time. Fabulous - thank you Andy and Lou'

(Meriel Wright - Bournemouth)

'Rejuvenating a tired back garden'

This was a recommendation from our clients at the 'Teardrop Garden'.  A design was not needed in this case as it was a simple & straight forward make over.  One face to face contact with Meriel (our client) at the beginning and further communications were carried out via texts and notes, giving Meriel photo updates along the way too.  This level of contact was sufficient due to the trusting relationship we had.

before

Tired old lawn as you stepped off the deck...

Old and rotten veg beds that distracted from the beautiful espalier on the back wall...

after

A birds eye view of the finished project....

Niles Tedder demonstrating the triangular shade sail over the Mint Fossil Sandstone circle, which will provide a lovely shaded haven in the summer months...

A sleeper retaining wall now helps to frame the beautiful espaliers and the Modac Sandstone path makes a lovely connection to the corner space.  Shingle filling in the negative space will provide Meriel opportunity to develop this area further for veg growing, which could be manger style planters that are both practical and attractive.  The shed will also need some TLC and other garden utilities re-positioned once Meriel finalised what works best for her and her new garden haven.  The new lawn (Rolawn) in its rich dark forest green will settle and naturalise to its new surroundings too.   

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'The Bus Stop Garden'

'design and build'

'The transformation of my front garden has given me lots of pleasure.  Lou and Andy were keen from the outset to produce something that reflects my personality and interests, and the result certainly does!  It is a tribute to their painstaking approach.'  

(Ian Gray - Parkstone Poole)

A 'haven for stopping'...... The Bus Stop Garden Design comes to completion! Coinciding with Ian Gray's retirement from the bus industry after 40 years service.

The inspiration for the design came about through conversation with Ian back in the spring. He was unsure exactly what to do with his front garden, but through his story and love in working for the buses the design concept became very clear to Lou & Andy. Especially when Ian mentioned a vintage bus stop sign post he had, which could be included in the design!

Ian grew up in this house & can even remember his original love for driving buses when he would cycle round the apple tree in the back garden imagining stopping at various destinations.

It's been an unusual project to undertake and one that really highlights the love in creating unique designs that Lou & Andy at Haven Spaces love to do. Reflecting the character of their client and utilising all the space, which in turn provides a real useable space to stop, sit or even stand and stare as you pass by!

Before

After

The sleeper bench/planter includes a pear espalier & other plants for texture, wildlife and fragrance...

The heucheras anchor the existing cherry tree...

Perspective view along the garden showing the new wall, galvanised edging where the box planting will establish a low hedge in each of the 4 planting pockets...

Sleeper stepping stones with alpines that will eventually blur the edges...

A pavement view for passers by to gaze...

Wrought iron obelisks dotted around the garden to compliment the existing wrought iron railings, which escaped being melted down in the war! (Apparently the last remaining ones in the street!) These obelisks provide a haven for a climbing rose (a favourite of ours, that has the strongest fragrance, which will fill this space), a white clematis and a jasmine like flowering fragrant climber...

'Vintage bus stop sign added'

December 2016

It was lovely to see Ian again and install the bus stop sign he had renovated.  As you can see it looks quite tall, but apparently this is how they looked; there would be an equal amount of green and cream colour showing.  It really does finish off this unique project!

It was lovely to see the garden filling out - especially the heucheras at the base of the cherry tree and even the dead flower heads on the verbenas looked very architectural!  

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'The Swiss Garden Design'

'design and build'

A garden for a busy family, providing a haven to dine and entertain, utilising every aspect of the space to include a lawn (to kick a ball) and storage facilities for all the usual essentials, plus possibly a kayak!

The design included a 'mood board' for the conservatory (which was also being refurbished) to compliment existing furniture and decor both indoors and out...

BEFORE

Originally the garden had been sectioned off into various areas, which over time had become muddled and cramped.  Lots of old trellis and aged bay trees & conifers were removed, which immediately opened up the space. One bay tree was kept & shaped to compliment the design, along with other shrubs that were moved & re-planted to a space they would thrive in.  

A tired garden, overgrown and in need of a make over. 

A dark and enclosed side passage...

AFTER

Expanding the lawn to both utilise the space & provide a shapely central focal point, which when stood in the lounge & conservatory draws you into the garden...

You can see how we think about the detail of shapes and where materials meet each other to link seamlessly, which is part of the design process on site as Lou & Andy build the space...

The original dark side passage... A bespoke storage cupboard made by Lou & Andy with two lift up lids to possibly house a kayak?  You step up onto the decking from the side passage.  The light now floods through the conservatory from every angle. 

A sandstone brick wall was built as part of the store cupboard structure, which adds a lovely rustic feel to the surrounding deck... 

The shape of the bungalow (which we thought looked Swiss like, hence the name of the design) and it's roof inspired the shape for the decking and building the deck with opposing angles added drama & light/texture variation.

A slight step down from the deck onto the sandstone crazy paving; defined by a circle sett that links with the deck corner, followed by crazy paving that leads you down both sides of the lawn...

A new shed erected, which Haven Spaces painted at a later date, along with the deck.  Colours recommended and sample board provided for clients to ponder their decision.

A mix of evergreens and contrasting heucheras in berry and lime colours  with a further planter packed with herbs.

Robust wooden planters were used in this design, which were painted to match the decking.  Impact planting of 3 planters along the longest side of Lupins and Lavender (a slight change from the design due to what was in season), Alliums could be added later, which would provide further drama.

A boggy area of the garden, which was perfect for a variety of damp loving plants and edged with more lavender, which will be enjoyed from a further paved area canopied by a pergola; perfect for a bistro seated area to catch the late sun and view the full length of the garden.

Be lovely to see the plants establish in their blues & purples and how they contrast with the various shades of green.

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'A School Prayer Garden'

'design and build'

Back in 2014 we were asked to meet with St Marks School in Talbot Village to design a prayer garden.  Our initial meeting involved a group of school children with their teachers.  They had conducted an activity with all their class mates to ensure everyones hopes and dreams had been included for their prayer garden space.  Lots of information was gathered that required Lou & Andy to collate in order to identify specific key areas and themes that had emerged from the meeting.   Everyones hopes and wishes would need to be reflected in the design.

A garden that became a series of 'outdoor rooms' reflecting a specific purpose such as 'Thanksgiving' and 'Hopes and Dreams'.  Visitors to the garden can choose which path to take and engage with each aspect of what the garden has to offer... 

Before...

A very tired open space with an aged raised decked area with seating. 

You can see the top of the beautiful Almshouses that sit opposite the school playground/field and passers by frequently use the lane for access to the school, local residents and dog walkers.

After...

As you enter the garden to the right is a statue of Jesus (like the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) greets you, which was specially designed and created by Carver Harvey (www.carverharvey.co.uk)   

To the left of the entrance is a 'What we Need to Thrive' noticeboard, which was designed & made by Haven Spaces that provides a tool for teachers and children to use e.g. what the plants need to survive & us spiritually.  The board can be used for various activities with the children.  Also the 'Living Archway' again designed and created by Haven Spaces, which provides a wonderful haven to welcome insects and wildlife into the garden.  Its finished off with varnished wooden branches to represent deer antlers, giving a strong and shapely presence.   

As you open the gate it swings back to hover over some crazy paving, which snuggles up against the cobble pathway... There is also a planting border with compact varieties of English Lavender & Rosemary at the front of the garden, which will attract more wildlife into the garden.

A dwarf variety of ''Red Robin' was used as a low hedge to edge the pathway entrance & the standard size to the left once you're through the archway, which once established will provide more of a dense compact frame to the 'creation' part of the garden.

Once you've walked through the 'Living Archway' you enter into a series of six named spaces, which are described in pairs below...

The children were involved in painting the fence panels in rainbow colours, which was organised in group relays!

Another designer was commissioned to design the benches that would snuggle around the pond with the inscription taken from the bible 'Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything' (Philippians 4:6).    A tranquil place for children to sit, reflect and pray.

The benches help to accentuate this area of the garden.  You can also see how this pathway merges into a very coastal feel with the mock sleepers and decorative chippings...

The next two areas of the garden...

The final 5th and 6th space at the end of the Prayer Garden...

Phew!  We did it!  The project spilled into early Autumn due to the weather being against us, but what an amazing journey this has been!  

Against the whole length of the rainbow fence you can see a slim border of earth which is where wild meadow flowers will be sown by the children, a seed mix chosen by Haven Spaces that will provide further colour and attract more wildlife to the garden.  

official opening of 'The garden of peace'

(as named by the children at st marks school)

A wonderful service was held at 'The Garden of Peace' when everyone joined in worship songs and it was officially opened by the pastor from St Marks Church who blessed the garden in preparation for all those who will engage with the space and what it has to offer.  Children have been chosen as Garden Stewards to care for and monitor the use of the garden.       

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'The Rosemary and Lavender Garden'

A design for a lovely retired couple who wanted a garden space that was practical and easy to access, but also to incorporate rosemary and lavender planting (hence the name of this design, which led the initial concept).  An existing corner summer house that gets a lot of use needed to be included in the overall design.

Haven Spaces used sub-contractors to carry out the construction work for this project, but they visited site frequently and carried out the painting and planting part of the project towards the end.  

before

A very tired, overgrown and unsafe garden, which needed a full make-over.

after

The summer house takes on a new life with its new decking, which contrasts beautifully with the paving... 

The grass planted border, which once established will provide lots of colour with orange, red tones, yellow and greens, which will compliment the plum and lavender paint colours also used in the project.   

Lots of different textures and curves that define each part of this space & steps that take you up towards the centre of the garden.

Once established, the lavender and rosemary will frame this centre space.  The inner planting circles provide pockets for some evergreen shrubs and seasonal plants throughout the year.

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