I was asked to design a garden. Not my forte but it was a favour for a friend. The only stipulation (other than cost - as inexpensive as possible) was that they wanted to inject some colour into the garden that wasn't reliant on plants and flowers - they wanted something that would cheer them up during the long winter months as well.
The garden is a typical London terraced plot, NNE facing (little/no sun during the winter) so plants have to be selected with this in mind (I got help with this). They needed a shed for storage and secondly to provide space for the husband who likes making things with wood. Other aspects to consider: a 10 year old son who still liked playing in the garden, compost bin, water butt, somewhere for a cold frame, vegetable beds (small) some fruit trees, a bed for flowers and extra bike storage. When listed out like that it is a lot to get into a small space and leave some grass!
The photo's are taken from the decking outside of the kitchen doors where the outside raised decking/eating area has table, chairs and bbq. The painted wall by the shed hides the water butt, compost bin and cold frame. The bright purple panels at the back of the garden hide the bike/wood storage and provide a platform for the children to play on/read on/chuck water balloons from!
The old lap over fencing is faced with oak batons. Behind is painted cream to lighten the area. There are going to be two espallied fruit trees on the right. Between the trees (at present full of courgette plants) are the three raised vegetable/herb beds.
There is a mirror in front of the steps to the platform which reflects back the garden. The planters in front of the raised eating platform are the same purple as the back panels. The planters (with veg in) are painted a dark grey.
There is a mirror in front of the steps to the platform which reflects back the garden. The planters in front of the raised eating platform are the same purple as the back panels. The planters (with veg in) are painted a dark grey.
Now down to the real question of this blog - colour! Who is afraid of using it either in their house or in their garden?
I have been lucky recently to have clients that haven't been afraid of using colour in their homes. This has been a change from recent years where beige/griz/cream have been the favourite colours of use.
What would I advise? Be brave! Use colour - it can inject life and zing into a scheme be it either inside or out. Remember paint can be changed - if you either grow bored of it, or fashions change.
These people were brave to go for the liliac/purple combination? What do you think - does it work for you?
What would I advise? Be brave! Use colour - it can inject life and zing into a scheme be it either inside or out. Remember paint can be changed - if you either grow bored of it, or fashions change.
These people were brave to go for the liliac/purple combination? What do you think - does it work for you?
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