Leyton Garden

Turning a drab space into a welcoming green oasis

We transformed this space into a beautiful, useable garden with plenty of space for entertaining. A low maintenance sanctuary to enjoy all year.

  • Complete design and renovation

  • Created a stunning porcelain terrace

  • Planting for interest throughout the year

  • Build of two substantial raised beds, planters and storage cupboards.

  • Clearance of the old astroturf, fencing and rubble

The tiled terrace was laid across the centre of the plot after we had fully prepared the foundation. That began with digging out the rubble and soil, before laying five tonnes of sub-base which was levelled and compacted. Quorn Stone tiles were selected, as they look great, are incredibly hard wearing and easy to clean.

The fence panels were replaced or repaired, then painted in a subtle green shade in exterior eggshell. This tied them together visually and added a key accent colour which was mirrored on the low key, but generously sized, storage cupboards, built on tiled bases, used to keep garden items tucked away.

The long planters were built bespoke for the space and coloured in a complimentary shade of plum to fit with the planned colour scheme. These were filled with tall grasses, evergreen fatsia japonica, wallflowers, tulips and trailing pelargoniums. The plants selected are all perennials and will grow and spread into the space. The climbing plants will cover the fences using the wires we installed. The clients love to cook outside so we made a pizza table for them from recycled wood.

The raised bed to the rear was built from substantial railway sleepers which were treated with linseed oil. This was filled with jasmine, hops and grape vines alongside evergreen shrubs, palms and trailing ivy to provide interest throughout the year. In the shadier area ferns, crocosmia, daffodils and Virginia creeper filled the side raised bed which was built up and stained to match the other wood within the garden.

Leytonstone Garden

Designing and building a dazzling, tranquil sanctuary from scratch

Having a compact city garden didn’t restrain our ambition on this project, works included:

  • Full London stock brick courtyard patio was laid

  • Side return tiled with reclaimed Victorian quarry tiles

  • Bespoke pergola built from scratch

  • All walls and fencing restored

  • Substantial raised beds built into the space

  • Extensive planting of trees, shrubs, vines and flowers for a mature garden in under a year

  • All furniture, lighting, pots and planters sourced for the space

We started with an unloved mess, full of broken concrete and astroturf but the final result is breathtaking. Multiple zones were created so the different areas could be enjoyed for different purposes at different times of day. There are areas to relax, eat and socialise in, and raised beds for growing an abundance of flowers, fruit trees and vegetables.

The first steps were to remove all the waste material then add several tonnes of well rotted manure and topsoil to form a nutrient rich base for the raised beds. These were made with huge reclaimed oak sleepers. The existing walls were solid but lacked charm, so we opted to paint them along with the fence on the remaining side to tie them together.

London stock bricks were sourced for the terraces, which were then laid at the front and the back of the garden. They are joined together by a matching brick path with rows of lavender planted either side in gravel beds, a collection of pots provide changing flowers throughout the season. Dining happens at the antique cast iron dining set, framed by a radiant Gertrude Jekyll rose. There is also a comfortable reclining sofa, perfect for sunbathing in the afternoon.

The side return, with separate access into the house, needed attention. It was levelled, then tiled with beautiful Victorian quarry tiles and now looks like it’s always been there. Huge planters provide space for shrubs, vines, flowers and herbs.

The rear terrace features a grand pergola, making it a beautiful secluded area away from the house, it provides cool shade on hot summer days. A large Sissinghurst bench, chiminea and a hand made wood store complete the space.

Willow trellises were erected across all walls and fences so the climbing honeysuckle, passion flower and grape vine have plenty to grow on. Behind the trellises went reed screens for added privacy with a softer look. A large overhanging lime tree was cut back during these works and the wood was used to make a bug hotel tucked at the back of the garden.

The larger raised bed has golden raspberry bushes to provide height close to the fence, their flower and fruiting season lasts for months. The growing frame has helped runner beans, cucumber vines and squash plants grow, whilst the cold frame has given an abundant harvest of rocket and lettuces.

All the plants and flowers have combined to create a garden that is abuzz with bees, birds and butterflies. Beautiful planters have been made and bought to enhance the fences and walls and to provide additional planting space. They spill over with strawberries, tomatoes, begonias, campanulas, geraniums and trailing ivy. Careful attention has been paid to successional planting so the ground is full of early spring bulbs and there is never a moment without colour.