Rhodesia Road, E10
Dramatic. Bold. Playful
This family garden in Leyton needed to accommodate the needs of two small, active boys and a dog as well as providing some grown up space to relax and entertain. The garden sits on two levels, with a steep bank running across the back of the garden where a mature sycamore tree towers overhead. The new design makes this level change more purposeful, creating a raised seating platform which will catch the last rays of sun in the summer, with tiered planters to soften and integrate the retaining wall. A set of playfully designed sleeper steps give access to the platform and den for the boys while taking up minimal footprint in this compact space.
Status: Completed September 2023
A central dining area with dedicated BBQ space is surrounded by planting and a previously drab wall has been repainted an uplifting pink with a diamond pattern of trellis as a framework for evergreen Jasmine to grow over. An elegant, yellow bench completes the picture and provides the perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee.
Finally, the garden layout also needed to include space for bike storage, and as the Client here was already a keen composter I included a built-in two bay compost area.
Planting is bold with a punchy colour palette and a mix of textural grasses and architectural foliage like ferns, Fatsia and a Tetrapanax which will create a focal point in years to come.
Before + After