Contemporary & Modern Gardens » Contemporary Waterside
This was a very interesting project in that the garden was on an island in the middle of the Thames - Eel Pie Island, Twickenham - only accessible by footbridge.This obviously had implications logistically as all materials would have to be brought to site by barge.
Brief:
This was a very interesting project in that the garden was on an island in the middle of the Thames only accessible by footbridge. This obviously had implications logistically as all materials would have to be brought to site by barge.
The small site consisted of some very uneven paving on two levels making it virtually unusable for entertaining as there was insufficient space for a table and chairs.
Solution:
Our clients brief was both to rectify this problem and to introduce a nautical theme, to include a ‘ship’s rail’ as a barrier to the drop to the river. Safety was obviously an issue, particularly as our clients were expecting their first child.
The project was completed despite the challenges of both low, and very high tides – our team at one point being stranded on the island! Decking steps were used to link the house to a natural sandstone patio with an attractive nautical star insert. Our clients now had a much larger dining area which was far more practical to use.
The dining area was surrounded by rendered raised beds with exotic planting in bright colours against a backdrop of natural willow screens. In one of these beds rests a large rainbow sandstone sphere which is dramatically lit up at night. The decking steps are also picked out by blue LED lights both for safety and for effect.
The pièce de résistance is the specially commissioned "ship’s rail" with its hardwood top that completes this stunning project.
