“Without your input, knowledge, and experience I would still be looking out onto a soul-less space, but now, every time I open the doors to the garden, my heart sings!”
Before
When we first met, Sam had already begun to move things outside with the construction of a beautiful new new pergola and extended deck at the back of her home - these were a great success with the whole family.
The rest of her garden was, however, less than inspiring and it’s easy to see why she’d got stuck, faced with a disproportionately large lawn which sloped heavily towards the side-on view of the studio, plus narrow beds on both sides. It was a garden desperately in need of some love.
Before: Boring with the studio positioned sideways - that had to change!
BEFORE
We kept this tree - it adds height and maturity to the garden
“The garden just felt like an overwhelming unloved space - a wasteland that thoroughly depressed and annoyed me. I’d been studiously ignoring it for years."
Sam felt like so many of us feel when faced with a garden that just isn’t fulfilling its potential. Frustrated that she didn’t know where to start. I’ll let her tell you in her own words:
“The garden just felt like an overwhelming unloved space. Installing the pergola convinced me that doing some thing with the rest of it would really enhance our lives but I just didn’t know where to start.
Your “grow with your garden” approach really appealed as it perfectly mirrors my belief of how a beautiful, comfortable home that we are emotionally invested in can bring happiness and contentment.”
The process
I invited Sam to experience a visualisation which I have designed to get the creative juices flowing and to quieten the thinking, practical brain. I wanted to offer her the experience of walking, in her mind, into her dream garden so she could find out what that was for her.
Visualisation is a really great way to discover what you want from your garden, how you’d like to feel out there and to start the process of ownership of that space that has so bugged you in the past. It’s a moment to let go of the restrictions of reality and allow blue sky thinking to take the reins.
We discovered that Sam dreamed of a garden that was stylish and practical accommodating all the vintage touches she does so well. Sam’s desire was to create a calm atmosphere with comfortable spots in which to relax and catch the sun at both ends of the day, as well as plenty of space for entertaining friends and for the odd game of football.
The new garden would capitalise on the large space available - which is, as in many homes, the largest single space in the property and cater for the needs of the whole family - Sam and her husband, Mr VC, have three teenagers plus Luther, the dog.
“Just what I needed to give me the confidence to tackle the project.”
DURING
The studio has been turned around and this already make a big difference.
My role
My role was to help Sam see the potential in her garden, build her confidence and help her get started. And that is exactly what happened.
We took a survey together which was great fun and this allowed us to create a to-scale sketch layout design which took the level change into account.
It is a simple scheme that offers a large flat lawn for football and plenty of raised beds for the lush planting that will give the garden atmosphere as it develops over time.
We agreed that the studio would be turned around and brought forward to allow for a hidden utility space behind - something every garden needs.
“Once I had that stake in the ground everything fell into place for me and I was able to make it work for us and the space. ”
And she was off…
Once Sam had the plan and knew what steps to take she got going FAST. She is an experienced and effective project manager and already knew guys who could carry out the work.
She chose to use new sleepers for their sturdy cost-effectiveness, the existing tree was given a raised bed of its own and the steps down from the house extended.
Sam painted the studio and fences herself choosing the dark grey for the fences at my suggestion. I like to paint fences dark so they recede and also offer a wonderful background to the planting - it makes the green look so vivid it might pop.
She and Mr VC went on to plant the garden in a palette of green and white - hydrangeas, ferns, grasses for texture and more all play their role in creating a delightful space which embodies Sam’s signature style.
DURING
Raised beds and new lawn laid out and filled. Turf and lower deck still to come. Luther is very interested.
AFTER
The newly painted studio with new planting and Sam’s styling touches everywhere - the garden looks gorgeous.
After
Sam has created a wonderful garden and it was a delight to help her get started.
From the relatively modest time we spent together, equivalent to about three Garden Experience sessions, she went from feeling stuck and frustrated with her garden to making the changes she had longed and creating a space that makes her smile and enhances her, and her family’s life.
I absolutely loved supporting Sam and would love to help you too. If you think my approach might suit you please do have a look at how I work and what I offer here.
And doesn’t the garden look lovely with Sam’s planting and styling. Images courtesy of Sam Hansard @vintagecuratorinteriors
“Now when I open the back doors my heart sings.”
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