This exciting Contemporary Barn Conversion, hidden in the winding roads of Lincolnshire, was a large scale garden project with uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. The clients had a young family and requested areas to play but with extra-large entertaining spaces, seating, large covered kitchen and a surprise element to give it the wow factor. Not gardeners themselves, but with gardening help weekly, they were keen to have verdant planting that would lead the eye into the paddock area and beyond.
Our design team had to come up with a concept that overcame the challenges of this very windy site. The client really wanted a design that could be used at all times of year, in all weather conditions, without being blown away.
The design concept proposed the majority of the terrace was sunken, with hedging and pleached trees to provide shelter from the winds yet still allowing great views of the countryside. Incorporating levels helped create movement and excitement existing flat site and gave the opportunity for raised beds. Staggered planting beds blurred the transition between garden and paddock. Perennial planting including Achillea Terracotta, Salvia x sylvestris Mainacht (May Night), Hemerocallis Catherine Woodbury, Echinacea purpurea White Swan and grasses create a colourful naturalistic nod to the local scenery and add fantastic winter structure.
The rear façade of the house was fully glazed with glazed sliding doors across the length of the house opening onto a level patio area. From here wide steps lead down into two different areas – one main sunken seating area surrounded by planting and a decked, louvred-covered kitchen and dining area – providing the multifunctional entertaining space the client desired. A magnificent central water feature creates a divide between the spaces, with a couple of stepping stones linking the zones. The ambitious Corten steel water feature had to be fabricated onsite, providing a magnificent centrepiece with a waterfall into a sunken pool with single stepping stone
Right from the very start Matt was helpful and really took on board our requirements when it came to creating our new garden. The end product is exactly what we wanted and looks great too. The choice of plants and layout is perfect for us and our 3-year-old who loves it. During the construction and all throughout the build Matt and his workers were thoughtful and respectful of not only our house but also our neighbours. If anything was going to create noise or dust, they would inform our neighbours with enough time for them to close windows etc if needs be.
Since doing our garden I have now recommended Matt to a number of friends and family. You really couldn’t get much better.