Redesigning an awkward side garden in Chesham Bois
We often see side gardens and forget about them. They’re unloved and underutilised just because they can be a bit small and dark. This particular side garden could be seen from inside the client’s home. It was time to give it some love and much needed revitalising.
Karl carried out the initial site survey understanding this space needed a redesign but also needed to be mindful of the ongoing damp. The clients changed the window as a preventative measure.
Taking a look at the rest of the garden it’s filled with ferns and many other beautiful plants. From here Karl decided to continue this very organic theme in the side garden. Avoiding interrupting the damp course there would need to be a stepped arrangement. These steps would also allow access to the water butts at the top. The client uses these to sustainably water the rest of the garden.
Karl kept the materials pallet simple and natural choosing French oak sleepers paired with natural York stones stepping stones, gravel and planting. This scheme can then be left alone to grow and be admired from inside the home. Adding more detail to the sleepers by hand using chisels, routers and sanders gave them an incredibly rustic aesthetic. In these pictures this the French Oak sleepers have been treated with Owatrol Textrol oil with a Honey tint to give them a warmer richer colour.
Stone colour matched with weathered fence