Hampstead Garden
This small space in Hampstead would prove a challenge for any garden designer due to its size, gradient and north-facing aspect.
The clients particularly wanted a lawn, small water feature and a kids play area, which given the constraints of the space were to prove tricky. We decided that it was essential to make sure proper drainage was installed under the grass and to use RTF turf that is a self repairing grass adapted for use in areas of heavy foot traffic and shade.
This Hampstead garden was on a slope, so as part of the design we created a rendered low retaining wall that wrapped around the perimeter with deep planting to help disguise the uneven boundary walls. Within these walls we incorporated a water feature, which was a very simple stainless steel letterbox that poured onto a bed of Scottish cobbles within a lower retaining wall.
The small play tower was constructed from cedar wood and had a hidden sandpit below. Cedar is a beautiful wood that despite being softwood has the same properties as hardwood, requiring no treatment. It ages to a silvery grey and we also used it for the boundary trellis, as it would merge seamlessly with the existing fence within a
few months.
As it was a north-facing garden, foliage shape, texture and colour was important to create interest and help light up the dark corners. The flowering plants were predominantly white and cream with small touches of blue and purple.
The capping stone used on the rendered walls is diamond cut sawn Yorkstone, which has a contemporary look, but as a naturally porous sandstone will age and weather with time. The same stone was used throughout in collaboration with the architects Site Specific. The stainless steel balustrade was designed again to retain a more contemporary feel within this small but attractive Hampstead Garden.
