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You can invest a lot in your garden in time and money and get a garden that looks ok but is not amazing. There are a lot of factors at work in garden design. The ability to mix practical and creativity is a unique one! If you are looking to improve your garden and want to go further than a patch of grass with a few flower beds, I'd really recommend getting a design. The investment pays amazing dividends at the end when you have a gorgeous outdoor space that looks amazing.
What's your superpower? We all have special skills that not everyone shares. Mine is the ability to see things in 3D. I think my engineering experience and creativity has been the foundation to my skills. If you struggle to visualise spaces, I can help by modelling in 3D, showing the shadows. For some clients sketches and pictures are better way to get a feel for a space. If you want some help space visualising please get in touch. www.catrionastiles.co.uk #gardendesignideas #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardenideas #garden #gardendesignsideas #gardendesigns
A bit of a head scratcher design today. This renovated barn has a garden that is split by the car park and drive, the views from the house are of apple orchards and are spectacular. Unfortunately the current garden makes the clients feel very on show (there is no privacy) and the garden feels very small as its really just a way to get from the car park to the house. For this design we are going to incorporate the patios as they are. However I have proposed to the clients to move the garden path. If I had a blank canvas the terraced patio would be different, the main patio is next to the bi-folds so the view is hampered by the dining table. The level below is actually not wide enough to comfortably sit on. The white render draws attention to the wrong part of the garden. By defining the lawn shapes and repeating layered planting the garden, in both options, has a sense of privacy and a cohesive designed look. The clients would not have come up with either of these options and are now considering which one to go to. So if you are faced with a problem garden please get in touch. And if you are thinking of a renovation or an extension getting a garden design can make a huge affect to how your home connects to the garden. I'm currently booking consultations in November if you would like a design slot for 2024. #hernhill #hernhillkent #kent #countrygarden #countrygardens #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas
This design is for a new build house in Challock. There is an existing large patio to the rear which currently makes the garden feel small and rectangular. By adding curves, that follow round the corner of the garden, your eye know the garden continues round the side. Planting next to the patio provides interest near to the house and a decked area to the rear creates a destination. Looking forward to seeing this one come to life. #gardendesign #gardendesigner #challock #newbuild #newbuildhome
Great to get some update photos of this garden in #sheldwich, created last year. @carol.young3282023 is doing a great job looking after it. Late summer interest coming from Agastache, Echinacea, Sedums and Calamagrotis. Looking great… #august #augustgarden #garden #gardeninspiration #gardendesign #kent
Design 1: Time to show my design concepts for this new build garden in Dover. I have two options for this design. Both have a Mediterranean feel with warm tones and architectural planting. Zinc features highlight the zinc on the houses. Normally I know exactly which design I prefer but I cant choose. Are you team 1 or 2? #dover #doverkent #mediterranean #garden #gardenideas #gardendesign
Todays client presentation is for a planting design for a garden in Charing Heath. This is a large sloped border that the clients have asked for help with. There is an area behind the garage which is slightly lost. By creating a bark path and seating area it will bring this area back into the rest of the garden. The brief combines both the clients requirements. One likes formality and structure, hence a small hedge bounding the beds and borders creating all year round shape. The other a more naturalistic, wild look, so as you go towards the right the planting becomes more woodlike and loose. Watch to see this one come into life this autumn.
Finally after over 3 years of using engineering blocks as make shift steps we have stones down for our patio… I’m so happy. Thanks to @admirelandscapes (Sam and Jack) for laying these sawn raj green sandstone pavers. Thanks to hubby for doing the sub base. Just the grouting, stepping stones and grass to sort now!
What makes a great garden? In all honesty beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me a garden is what that sparks joy to the people who garden and live in it. This is true of big makeover gardens or smaller projects that you want to develop over time at your pace. The important element is to get the design fixed in your mind and then translated onto paper. I have seen gardens where people have brought in a landscaper and spent considerable money (we all work hard right) and could have had a much better result (for the same cost) with a garden design. Garden design could be seen as an artistic, whimsical indulgence but in the same way an architect is so key to a house build a garden design can really uplift a garden. My job, as a designer, is to translate your requirements into a brief, re-imagine your space and create a plan that is practical. If you would like to book a consultation in for October please send me a DM #gardendesign #gardeninspiration #garden #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas #gardendesignsideas #kent
This sloped garden in Gravesend is really coming along. Many thanks to Rob for the work in progress shots. This garden was a bit of a head scratcher but thankfully it looks like its translating into real life well. This garden is a good size but the actual useable area was not that great and meant that the family were really not using the garden. Already by creating some flat areas the entertaining areas already increase the feel of the garden and will add value to the property. I'm looking forward to seeing it when Rob and his team have finished. They are doing a fantastic job. @rngroundworksandlandscaping #gardenlandscaping #gardenlandscaping #gardeninprogress #slopedgarden #garden #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas
Great to get some photos of this newly built garden in Chislehurst/ Bromley Kent. The first time I met the clients this was a building site (see the last pic for before) with little in the garden. The garden was overlooked and all the focus was on the boundaries. Curved paths, seating areas and layers of planting have created privacy, interest from all over the garden and great views from inside. To read more please take a look at the post on the website link in bio. I love the shapes in this garden and am enjoying watching it develop. The rest of the planting to follow in the autumn. A great job by all those involved mainly the landscaper @nelsonlandscapes_ porcelain: @arbourlandsol claypavers: @_londonstone plants: @palmstead Provender Nurseries and Howards #chislehurst #bromley #bromley #kent #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesigns #gardendesignideas #gardendesignsideas #gardendesigninspiration #gardenideasuk
Late summer means a change in the colour palette in most gardens. The soft pastels of spring and early summer make way for the bold and vibrant. Plant choice is so key for this time of year with oranges, yellows, pinks and purples to select from. This is crocosmia lucifer with its hot red/ orange flowers and tall arching leaves. Whats your favourite flowering plant right now? #August #augustgarden #tropicalflowers #tropicalflowers #hotcolours #hotcolours #gardencolour
Do you have height in your garden? It can be scary to add in elements with height, especially trees. Creating verticals is a really important of my garden design. Trees are brilliant for creating focal points, breaking up spaces and creating levels of planting. There are so many amazing trees (I'm discovering more all the time). There is also a cross over between shrubs that are trained as trees. The right tree in the right place and create structure, provide seasonal interest and a wildlife habitat. They also provide shade and reduce temperatures of their surroundings. You can have stunning bark, changing colour leaves, berries, blossom all this from one tree! Pictured is a Catalpa Bignonioides (Indian Bean Tree) which has large. lush, tropical feel leaves. #gardentrees #gardentrees #treesinthegarden #gardendesign #gardendesigns #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas #kent #kentdowns
When you are moving into a new home you are normally faced with a blank canvas of lawn and maybe some patio. It can be overwhelming to know where to start. The beauty of getting a garden design is that we work together to create a set of shapes and planting beds that reflect your style, your needs and the setting of your garden. In this garden in Hernhill layers of planting were create the illusion of the orchard behind being part of the extended garden. A secondary seating area in the corner was positioned to catch the views of the sunset and draw you into the garden. If you would like to book a consultation and see if we can work together email me at [email protected] and we can book an appointment (currently from October onwards). #newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildhouse #newbuildinspo #kent #garden #gardendesigns #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas
Getting plants that flower through the seasons is not just important for our enjoyment of the garden it’s hugely important for pollinators. Now the sun has finally come out they are enjoying the Echinops. It’s definitely not as busy with flying insects in the garden this year so I’m relieved to see these. If you are interested in getting more pollinators in your garden get in touch. I’m booking from October onwards. Perfect for next years garden! #julygarden #julyflowers #pollinatorgarden #gardendesign #kentdownsaonb
New build homes can have awkward shapes that don't present an obvious solution for a garden design. Its really worth investing in your garden in this situation to create a garden with the wow factor. The right shapes in patio, planting borders and lawns can make a huge difference to the appearance of the garden. Who wouldn't want to wander round the corner in this new garden? If you are thinking of investing in your garden next year get in touch to be on the waiting list for design in the Autumn. You can be ready for landscaping over the winter/spring. 🌿🌸🌱 #gardendesign #gardendesignideas #newbuildhome #newbuildhouse #newbuildgarden
Where are your eyes drawn to when they look at your garden? Focal points can be created with architectural plants, pots or sculptures. When I work with clients we look at the best place to site their often personal garden sculptures and frame them within the planting. Great to look at all through the year. #gardenfocalpoint #gardenfocal #gardeninterest #gardensculpture #kent
Sloping gardens... They can be really tricky to visualise what levels you can create and how to use them. I'm currently collaborating with the owners of this country based garden to create a design that makes the most of the space they have (and hopefully giving the wow factor). The terracing in front of the house creates view points of planting and a meandering journey up to the top level with a cosy patio in between. A large lawn is created on the left hand side for football and a play area beyond. Being able to design this in 3D has been invaluable as it has evolved from the 2D sketches I started with. Watch this space to see how it turns out! #kent #Kent #gardenideas #gardendesign #homeandgarden #homeandgarden #gardenterrace
Knautia Macedonia blowing in the summer breeze. The flowers are so sculptural before, during and after blooming. You can see why it is known as a pincushion. Eventually I'll let this go to seed to keep the seedheads but for now keep I'll keep deadheading to encourage more flowers. Very therapeutic! #gardenflowers #deadheading #deadheading #knautiamacedonica #knautia
Looking at your garden and visualising what you want is hard. How do you want it to look? Pinterest is a great place for inspiration. You can start pulling in pictures to start to piece together what style you like. Looking at the space through someone else's fresh eyes can also be very constructive. I can be that pair of eyes! Get in touch to book a garden consultation from September onwards. You can email me at [email protected] Deborah Hart Photography
Who has been to the garden centre and bought a plant as it looks amazing? Then once its been planted in the garden it never seems to thrive or even pegs it…. Guilty as charged! I know I've thought I'm rubbish at gardening as I've pulled a perished stick out of the ground. In reality this was before I considered the factors of the plants environment. Plants are not standalone and you need to consider: soil type, drainage, exposure, when to plant and when its going to be at its best. Once you have found the plants that love your garden situation it is such a pleasure to increase your collection. A little bit of research and experimentation really pays off. Pictured is Salvia Nemorosa Caradonna one of my faves! #plants #garden #plantdesign #gardendesign #gardenideas
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/wiy4DdAriRGAKgsX/?mibextid=WC7FNe If you are local and looking for some pots this is a great place to get them. You can spray them any colour you want.
Its hard to remember what this garden used to be like! Like a lot of mature gardens the planting was mainly around the perimeter and the seating area was right by the house. Intuitively its easy to assume that large lawns make a garden feel bigger. Without anything to rest the eye on the focus takes you right to the walls. With planting layers and destination in the garden it now feels like a large garden to be enjoyed from different aspects. The planting at the near, middle and foreground creates views to enjoy from all parts of the garden. plants by @howgreennursery photos by @deborahhartphotos garden being looked after brilliantly by @carol.young3282023 #sheldwich #countrygarden #walledgarden #homeandgarden #homeandgarden #gardenideas #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesigneruk #kent #kentdowns #kentdownsaonb
Last week while the sun shone I revisited a couple of gardens. This garden in Charing Heath was created from a blank canvas garden that accompanied this new build home. The owners have loved entertaining in it and get great comments when people see the garden for the first time. Julie and Bob have loved looking after their garden and I'm glad to report that Julie has picked up my love of architectural plants. Her T-Rex is absolutely romping away. If you are thinking of changing up your garden next year its worth getting in touch now. I'm currently booking from September and landscapers get booked quickly too. Photos by @deborahhartphotos Plants from @palmstead @provendernurseries #houseandgarden #Garden #yourgardenmadeperfect #familygarden #moderngarden #loveyourgarden #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesignideas #kent #kentdownsaonb
I’m a big fan of garden mirrors to break up a big expanse of wall or fence. Softened by climbers they become windows reflecting sky and garden. In this walled garden the wall dominated the view from the house. Now with repeated mirrors and planting the wall is a stunning feature but not the focal point. #sheldwich #gardenmirror #walledgarden #cottagegarden #gardendesign #kent
New Concept off the board today. This is a garden in #hernebay which we are going to makeover. The existing patio is to be retained and improved with a Pergola, outdoor rugs and firepit. The fencing (and posts) will be painted dark to allow the planting to take the front of stage. The lawn has been shaped to allow curved beds. The planting has been selected for foliage and orange/ purple colouring, to give a tropical feel. It should be a great place for entertaining! #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesigner
@muddy_kent Have a spring trends featuring little old my ideas. It seems apt on this wet spring day that is about water! To read the article have a look at https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/living/interiors/spring-home-trends-according-to-kent-interior-experts/ #springgarden #springgardens #springgardendays #rain #raining #rainagain #kent #kent
When gardens are being planted, I always love my clients planting with me. Gardens are always evolving, changing with the different conditions they are in. The joy of gardening is getting your hands dirty and having a connection to the earth. If you plant your own garden you will know what it is there, have ownership of your gardens evolution and care for your plant babies. When you book me for a design say yes when I ask if you would like to help plant and you wont regret it! #planting #gardening #gardeningideas #kent
Looking at your garden and visualising what you want is hard. How do you want it to look? Pinterest is a great place for inspiration. You can start pulling in pictures to start to piece together what style you like. Looking at the space through someone elses fresh eyes can also be very constructive. I can be that pair of eyes! #gardendesign #gardendesignideas #gardenideas #garden #gardendesigners #gardens #gardenlove #homeandgarden #gardendesignuk #kentdowns
How do you use your garden? Is it a place to relax, entertain, cook, dine, have fun, maybe even garden….? When we put together a scope for your design I will make sure that we incorporate how you want to use the garden so its a great space for you and your family. #outdoorspaces #eveninggarden #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesignideas #charing
Where do you sit in the garden? Is it right next to your house? If so what can happen is 1: the views from your house are not of green and plants but of garden furniture and 2: there is no destination to give you cause to go into the garden and immerse yourself in it. I will help identify great places to sit in your garden. You might want morning sun for your cuppa before you start your day, shade to eat your lunch, evening sun for a G&T. For this design in #kent #hernhill entertaining areas were created to catch the evening sun, enjoy the view and bring planting up to the house and patios. I'm looking to see how it looks this year with the more established planting. #garden #gardendesign #gardenideas #gardenlove #gardening #gardeninspiration
If your garden transformation is a large one, sometimes it’s a good idea just to start in one area. It really can depend on your avaliable time and budget. Hard landscaping is the best place to start and is also the most expensive. You can just start with one planting border. That way you can build your confidence in looking after plants and get to know the conditions in your garden. #gardendesign #gardendesigners #gardens #gardenideas #homeandgarden #garden
What shape is your lawn and/ or patio? Is it square? Does it follow the lines of your garden perimeter? Perhaps the shape is so dull that you haven't even considered it before. One of the fundamentals of my garden design is considering the shapes that create the structure in the garden. I'm going to let you into a secret.... I totally ignore the outline of the garden! If you are looking to make your garden more interesting a really easy way is to cut your grass into a shape. Not sure what shape? Let me help you with the design. Get in touch to book a consultation for May/ June. #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas
I get immense joy from my work having a positive impact on people's gardens and lives. Here's the latest review from a current client "Absolutely love working with Catriona. She’s brought fantastic ideas to our project and has a very thoughtful approach to design to ensure it is functional too. Our garden is a complete turnaround situation and has taken a while to think through the right design, but Catriona has been incredibly patient throughout the process. Catriona challenges ideas in a really constructive way and is clearly both passionate and highly knowledgeable. Our designs are fantastic and creative, and we are looking forward to bringing them to life now with Catriona’s help. Feel very fortunate to have her on our team!" If you would like me to be part of your garden development team please get in touch. My current availability is from Jun onwards. #happycustomer #happyclient #happyclient💕 #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesigners #gardendesignideas #GardenDesignIdeas #gardenlove #gardeninspiration #kent #kentdowns #faversham #favershamkent #canterburykent #canterbury #canterbury #ashford #ashfordkent #chislehurst
For this client in Faversham the grass has become high maintenance (intro of a puppy) and the planting all at a lower level. This is my design that retains their brick patio, path and arch and works with it. Height has been introduced with shrubs and trees so that you cant see all the way to the end of the garden. There is a birch tree in the garden behind so be repeating that we can borrow the height into this one. A smaller arch pergola is set above a seating area further down the garden. Climbing plants grow across its wires to give a feeling of seclusion and shade. The shed needs replacing so I've suggested a sun room/ shed combi. There is no need for the lawn mower now less shed space needed. The grass has been replaced with gravel that will have plants that are happy to self seed around. Raised curved beds raise the plants to the eye, are easier maintenance for the owners and protect precious plants from the doggy. #kent #faversham #gardendesign #gravelgarden #gardeninspiration
Lets talk new build home gardens. The size really ranges but most of time the common themes are: a tiny patio just at the patio doors (usually concrete) a boundary shaped by adjoining properties a lawn You can be sat in your stylish lovely house and look through to the garden admiring the view... What are you looking at? Basically grass and fence. Nothing to entice you into the garden. Its really important to give you a destination, a reason to go out there. Having your patio just at the house makes you go how far? Yeap, maybe two steps into the garden! So having a different seating area instantly gives you a reason to travel through the garden. A great garden will reward you on the way there with colour, textures and smells from planting and also connect you to the outdoors. If you have a blank space garden that needs a destination adding drop me a line [email protected] and we can discuss what design help you need. #newhome #newhomeowner #newhomegarden #homeandgarden #homeandgarden #garden #gardens #gardenideas #gardendesign #gardeninspiration #gardenideas #blankcanvas #blankcanvasgarden #kent #kentdowns #kentdownsaonb #canterbury #canterburykent #ashford #ashfordkent
I visited a few gardens today where folks had spent some money on getting their garden landscaped. I couldn't help but visualise how much more they had got for their money if they had employed a garden designer. (I'm always designing in my head). If you are going to invest in your garden and get some hard landscaping done its really worth getting some ideas that are different to the traditional patio out the back, rectangular lawn and skinny borders. You can make a small garden feel better proportionally, with shapes that give perspective and the right planting design. I thought I'd share this sketch that I did with a client during a consultation 3 years ago. It was enough for her to get her imagination running and see the potential of her garden. If you are thinking of changing your garden, and employing a landscaper to do so, you can make such a better impact with your investment. Get in touch if you would like some advice and a longer term plan. #gardeninspiration #gardenvisualisation #gardendesign
Happy International Women's Day. Here's hoping my daughters' will not know the words gender pay gap, pink tax, non flexible working..... That they wont worry about violence against women & girls. They won't have to walk anxiously, once the sun has gone down, with keys in their hand. We still have a long way to go.... I applaud all of us who navigate our way through this world, cheerlead and raise each other up (men and women). #IWD #iwd #IWD24 #IWD2024
If your garden transformation is a large one, sometimes it’s a good idea just to start in one area. It really can depend on your avaliable time and budget. Hard landscaping is the best place to start and is also the most expensive. You can just start with one planting border. That way you can build your confidence in looking after plants and get to know the conditions in your garden. #gentlegarden #gentlegardens #gentlegardening #gardenupgrade #changemanagement #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesigns #gardendesignideas #gardendesigner #kent #canterbury #canterbury #canterburyuk #canterburykent
One of the biggest joys in my job is delighting clients with a garden vision they would have never got to on their own. When you have been looking at the same patio, grass.. for years it can be tricky to see what can be. Every garden, no matter the size or shape has the potential to work as a great space for you and your family. Drop me a line if you would like to collaborate on your garden in April and start to bring fresh change to your garden. #homeandgarden #gardendesign #gardeninspo #gardenideas #garden #gardendesignideas #gardendesigners #homerenovationuk #eastkent #newbuildhomes #houseandgarden #gardeninspiration #gardendesigner
