Contemporary Outdoor Living, Wickham Bishops Essex

We revisited this project, transforming a tired family garden into a multi-functional outdoor space for entertaining, relaxing and working.

Contemporary porcelain paving replaced the original patios and decking. Cubes of topiary hedging with planting in the centre add interest to the breakfast patio and lawn. And oversized planters boastfully display specimen trees.

A porcelain path leads you down the garden across the floating step of the feature rill. Spanning the width of the original swimming pool, the rill was designed as a monolith creating peaceful reflection, movement and sound.  The vertical water-feature wall, cladded using Corten Design Clad creates a mirror image in volume, horizontally reflected in the water rill. Three bespoke made copper bubble fountains are spaced equidistantly along the rills length, keeping the water clear.

A bespoke outdoor log cabin, complete with built in pizza oven and cantilevered dining table was created for year round dining and entertaining. Built in shelving and worktops allow room for preparation and utensils. Handmade weatherproof curtains protect the space from the elements in the winter and open out to the patio for alfresco dining and relaxing in the warmer months.

Steps lead down to a further patio space, sunken to enclose this outdoor living room, adding warmth and ambience.

An outdoor cedar framed studio was built for the homeowner’s Floristry work, a storage area and cloakroom are hidden to the rear, and the large open work space can be opened up completely with the bi-folding doors. A flower cutting garden surrounds the space.

A curved wall dressed with trachylospernum jasminoides and built-in bespoke bench, adds privacy and creates another seating area, looking out onto the newly landscaped space.