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When Charlotte and her design director Tomoko Kawauchi first visited the site, it comprised a series of brick terraces close to the house, with lawns sloping down to an orchard and a natural pond<\/a>. \u201cThe brief included a new swimming pool<\/a>, dining area and space to relax,\u201d explains Charlotte, \u201cand because we\u2019d also worked for the clients before and gained their trust, they gave us the freedom to create a design we thought would work. \u201cAfter assessing the site, we agreed that the orchard, pond and wildlife<\/a> sanctuary on the south and western edges of the garden would be left almost untouched, while the terraces and planting around the house were to be completely redesigned.\u201d<\/p>\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u201cOur main focus was reworking the areas close the house,while adding some extra planting to the pond area and sowing a meadow<\/a> on the lower slopes around the orchard to add further interest. We also took out a few jarring fir trees<\/a> that were blocking the views of the countryside,\u201d says Charlotte.<\/p>They made a conscious decision not to break up the site into \u2018rooms\u2019, apart from an enclosed productive plot. This more open design allows free-flowing movement from the house to the pool, and then down the slope to the mown paths that cut through the meadow and orchard to the pond. \u201cThe design maximises the views of the surrounding farmland and creates space for the children to run about and explore.\u201d<\/p>
The main living areas are close to the house for convenience, with a dining terrace<\/a> just outside the kitchen, and the sun terrace \u2013 a more formal south-facing seating area for relaxing and entertaining<\/a> \u2013 outside the drawing room. Leading on from this is the pool, a small productive garden and a winter<\/a> garden.<\/p>The lawn terraces<\/h2>![\"Charlotte](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/JI_180123_CRDowlands_006-Edit_preview-scaled.jpg\")
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>One of the most striking features of the garden are the lawn terraces. The original grassy bank has been sculpted into shallow curved sections, edged with ribbons of rusted mild steel, that flow down the hillside like waves lapping at the shore.<\/p>
\u201cThe site is quite steeply sloped<\/a>, and we were wondering how best to negotiate the changes in level without adding too much to the cost and maintenance,\u201d says Charlotte. \u201cWe thought about using Corten steel but decided on mild steel in the end, which works equally well and is a little cheaper. Again, it\u2019s a very simple idea but highly effective.\u201d<\/p>Carving up the lawn like this into a series of sweeping curves reflects the contours of the slope, and transforms the grassy bank into an eye-catching contemporary feature that\u2019s relatively easy to maintain.<\/p>
The hard landscaping<\/h2>![\"Charlotte](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/JI_180123_CRDowlands_012_preview-scaled.jpg\")
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>A square gravel terrace<\/a> next to the pool creates an eye-catching feature, particularly in winter when the single cherry tree is bare of leaves, its gaunt outline creating a sculptural focal point.<\/p>Seemingly effortless in its simplicity, the contrasting textures of gravel, sawn York stone and clay brick pavers, plus a change in level, help to heighten the drama. \u201cWe often include understated void or empty spaces in our gardens,\u201d says Charlotte. \u201cIn Japan, it is known as Ma. We worked the design around the existing tree and included stoneware \u2018pebbles\u2019 to draw the eye.\u201d<\/p>
Charlotte and her team are always mindful of the environment when selecting landscaping materials and try, where possible, to source them from local suppliers. \u201cWe\u2019ve also used a gravel surface for the dining area by the house, which allows free drainage<\/a> and enables us to plant herbs and alpines, as well as beech domes into it, thereby increasing the garden\u2019s biodiversity.\u201d<\/p>They had to consider the intricate brick and flint-stone patterns on the house fa\u00e7ade and use materials that wouldn\u2019t fight them, such as the sawn York stone and clay brick pavers. \u201cAlthough we had to bring in the clay pavers from Belgium, they are made from natural materials and have a long lifespan.\u201d<\/p>
The pool<\/h2>![\"Charlotte](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/JI_180123_CRDowlands_033_preview-scaled.jpg\")
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>The whole garden design evolved around the swimming pool, which was the clients\u2019 top requirement. \u201cWe knew it would also be the most difficult feature to locate and build,\u201d explains Charlotte. The entire site is on a gradient but they chose to carve the space for the swimming pool out of a flattish area close to house, siting it just below the dining terrace. It runs along an east-west axis, which means that it catches the sun\u2019s rays throughout the day.<\/p>
A paved sun terrace on the south side of the pool allows space for loungers and views over the lawns and countryside beyond. The original plan was for a large pool house on the upper terrace, but they finally opted for a smaller \u2018beach house\u2019 (above left), which was quicker and easier to install.<\/p>
Access to the pool is via wide, shallow steps, which makes it safer for the children and adds a graphic detail, while the grasses<\/a> and perennials<\/a> on either side help to blend it into the rural location. Swimming pools in country gardens can look like they\u2019ve landed there from Ibiza, and to avoid that, Charlotte and Tomoko chose to line this one with mid-grey tiles and edge it with light-grey clay pavers from Vande Moortel. Beds of grasses and perennials envelope it in soft planting and help bed it into the countryside setting.<\/p>\u201cThe clients love the pool, which is both practical and makes a beautiful feature, reflecting the clouds and catching the last rays of sun on a summer\u2019s evening,\u201d explains Charlotte.<\/p>
The planting<\/h2>![\"Charlotte](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/JI_180123_CRDowlands_020_preview-scaled.jpg\")
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>Charlotte and her team chose planting that thrives on the chalky soil. \u201cWe focused on grasses that provide colour and structure for most of the year, combining tall, upright species such as PanicumThe fiery red and golden stems of Cornus alba<\/em> \u2018Sibirica\u2019 and Cornus sericea<\/em> \u2018Flaviramea\u2019 provide bright focal points, while evergreen Sarcococca confusa<\/em>, Saxifraga<\/em> x urbium<\/em> and beech \u2018domes\u2019 inject sparkling highlights in winter. \u201cWe also made use of the old box topiary<\/a>, transplanting it to add evergreen interest and create punctuation points or Buxus \u2018rocks\u2019 in the lawns.\u201d<\/p>Charlotte and Tomoko decided to keep a small border that was already in the lawn and added some of the same grasses and perennials found around the pool to continue the mood. \u201cWe like to retain as many plants and features as possible to minimise waste<\/a> and reduce the garden\u2019s carbon footprint. The bed neatly divides the steel-edge lawn feature from rougher grassland and the meadow lower down the slope, while vintage pots, which the clients bought after discussions with us, offer additional interest.\u201d<\/p>
When Charlotte and her design director Tomoko Kawauchi first visited the site, it comprised a series of brick terraces close to the house, with lawns sloping down to an orchard and a natural pond<\/a>. \u201cThe brief included a new swimming pool<\/a>, dining area and space to relax,\u201d explains Charlotte, \u201cand because we\u2019d also worked for the clients before and gained their trust, they gave us the freedom to create a design we thought would work. \u201cAfter assessing the site, we agreed that the orchard, pond and wildlife<\/a> sanctuary on the south and western edges of the garden would be left almost untouched, while the terraces and planting around the house were to be completely redesigned.\u201d<\/p> \u201cOur main focus was reworking the areas close the house,while adding some extra planting to the pond area and sowing a meadow<\/a> on the lower slopes around the orchard to add further interest. We also took out a few jarring fir trees<\/a> that were blocking the views of the countryside,\u201d says Charlotte.<\/p> They made a conscious decision not to break up the site into \u2018rooms\u2019, apart from an enclosed productive plot. This more open design allows free-flowing movement from the house to the pool, and then down the slope to the mown paths that cut through the meadow and orchard to the pond. \u201cThe design maximises the views of the surrounding farmland and creates space for the children to run about and explore.\u201d<\/p> The main living areas are close to the house for convenience, with a dining terrace<\/a> just outside the kitchen, and the sun terrace \u2013 a more formal south-facing seating area for relaxing and entertaining<\/a> \u2013 outside the drawing room. Leading on from this is the pool, a small productive garden and a winter<\/a> garden.<\/p> One of the most striking features of the garden are the lawn terraces. The original grassy bank has been sculpted into shallow curved sections, edged with ribbons of rusted mild steel, that flow down the hillside like waves lapping at the shore.<\/p> \u201cThe site is quite steeply sloped<\/a>, and we were wondering how best to negotiate the changes in level without adding too much to the cost and maintenance,\u201d says Charlotte. \u201cWe thought about using Corten steel but decided on mild steel in the end, which works equally well and is a little cheaper. Again, it\u2019s a very simple idea but highly effective.\u201d<\/p> Carving up the lawn like this into a series of sweeping curves reflects the contours of the slope, and transforms the grassy bank into an eye-catching contemporary feature that\u2019s relatively easy to maintain.<\/p> A square gravel terrace<\/a> next to the pool creates an eye-catching feature, particularly in winter when the single cherry tree is bare of leaves, its gaunt outline creating a sculptural focal point.<\/p> Seemingly effortless in its simplicity, the contrasting textures of gravel, sawn York stone and clay brick pavers, plus a change in level, help to heighten the drama. \u201cWe often include understated void or empty spaces in our gardens,\u201d says Charlotte. \u201cIn Japan, it is known as Ma. We worked the design around the existing tree and included stoneware \u2018pebbles\u2019 to draw the eye.\u201d<\/p> Charlotte and her team are always mindful of the environment when selecting landscaping materials and try, where possible, to source them from local suppliers. \u201cWe\u2019ve also used a gravel surface for the dining area by the house, which allows free drainage<\/a> and enables us to plant herbs and alpines, as well as beech domes into it, thereby increasing the garden\u2019s biodiversity.\u201d<\/p> They had to consider the intricate brick and flint-stone patterns on the house fa\u00e7ade and use materials that wouldn\u2019t fight them, such as the sawn York stone and clay brick pavers. \u201cAlthough we had to bring in the clay pavers from Belgium, they are made from natural materials and have a long lifespan.\u201d<\/p> The whole garden design evolved around the swimming pool, which was the clients\u2019 top requirement. \u201cWe knew it would also be the most difficult feature to locate and build,\u201d explains Charlotte. The entire site is on a gradient but they chose to carve the space for the swimming pool out of a flattish area close to house, siting it just below the dining terrace. It runs along an east-west axis, which means that it catches the sun\u2019s rays throughout the day.<\/p> A paved sun terrace on the south side of the pool allows space for loungers and views over the lawns and countryside beyond. The original plan was for a large pool house on the upper terrace, but they finally opted for a smaller \u2018beach house\u2019 (above left), which was quicker and easier to install.<\/p> Access to the pool is via wide, shallow steps, which makes it safer for the children and adds a graphic detail, while the grasses<\/a> and perennials<\/a> on either side help to blend it into the rural location. Swimming pools in country gardens can look like they\u2019ve landed there from Ibiza, and to avoid that, Charlotte and Tomoko chose to line this one with mid-grey tiles and edge it with light-grey clay pavers from Vande Moortel. Beds of grasses and perennials envelope it in soft planting and help bed it into the countryside setting.<\/p> \u201cThe clients love the pool, which is both practical and makes a beautiful feature, reflecting the clouds and catching the last rays of sun on a summer\u2019s evening,\u201d explains Charlotte.<\/p> Charlotte and her team chose planting that thrives on the chalky soil. \u201cWe focused on grasses that provide colour and structure for most of the year, combining tall, upright species such as Panicum The fiery red and golden stems of Cornus alba<\/em> \u2018Sibirica\u2019 and Cornus sericea<\/em> \u2018Flaviramea\u2019 provide bright focal points, while evergreen Sarcococca confusa<\/em>, Saxifraga<\/em> x urbium<\/em> and beech \u2018domes\u2019 inject sparkling highlights in winter. \u201cWe also made use of the old box topiary<\/a>, transplanting it to add evergreen interest and create punctuation points or Buxus \u2018rocks\u2019 in the lawns.\u201d<\/p> Charlotte and Tomoko decided to keep a small border that was already in the lawn and added some of the same grasses and perennials found around the pool to continue the mood. \u201cWe like to retain as many plants and features as possible to minimise waste<\/a> and reduce the garden\u2019s carbon footprint. The bed neatly divides the steel-edge lawn feature from rougher grassland and the meadow lower down the slope, while vintage pots, which the clients bought after discussions with us, offer additional interest.\u201d<\/p>The lawn terraces<\/h2>
The hard landscaping<\/h2>
The pool<\/h2>
The planting<\/h2>