Decking…with Pond

An owner who is a real garden lover, spending many happy hour, relaxing in the tranquility of their space needed that extra special finish to a much loved garden.

Removal of the old ‘dangerous’ decking and creating a safer level. Also moving the concrete fish pond slightly more into the garden. And finally creating a level area from the drive area to the new decking.

The original decking… the client had recently fell off the steps which gave reason to have it changed.
The old pond with the clients treasured fish has seen better days…
The new pond moved slightly more into the garden…

Let the changes begin…

So the first move was to move the fish pond further away from the house, but making it deeper and a little larger. We suggested to make the new pond go a little under the decking to have a shaded area for the fish.
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New Pathway…

I think this one speaks for itself… A useful side pathway, not being used due its untidiness and general mess. Most caused by the leaves from the roadside trees above.

Unloved, rarely used. ©design&garden
Uneven slabs, greasy when wet, with unnecessary steps ©design&garden

So a straightforward procedure of remove & replace. Making an area that is 20 years out of date into a clean and mangable area. Making use to the side again too.
This step comes from the shed, obviously added for ease and laziness to stop the ‘cover’ of stones from falling over onto the slabs ©design&garden
Better? No, this really is the same path… ©design&garden
Original slabs cut and lifted to become flush with the new paving ©design&garden
Now the area is useable and it works. ©design&garden

So is that better? Well I think that goes without saying… the original finish was the classic ‘builders finish’, nothing wrong with it but no design or concern about how you actually live with that finish. This now has simple access for the shed. The whole area was lifted and then blended in with the original slabbing and edging. It would of been easier to of changed all the edging and the slabs, also making some of the details that bit neater but there has to be a stop somewhere! Also the original fence line is about 10″ out of line so that had to be accounted for carefully with a way that draws your eye away from it. This being the angled blocks above, which when the second phase of blockwork gets done will be repeated on the next corner.

©Design&Garden2020

A Driveway makeover…

This started in January 2020, the weather hasn’t been kind so it’s taken a little longer than thought but it’s getting there…

So let’s see what’s changing here then… ©design&garden2020

The concept is to remove the heavy dominance of the fencing, the continuous use of peebles and replacement of old conifers & poor grass for better planting and a fresher look….

Beforehand… an area for weeds and mess, with an issue of leaves being difficult to collect
Easier, Cleaner and Neater ©www.design&garden.co.uk

The major problem was a gathering a leaves from the trees over the fence. Wind would blow them to this area and became an issue clearing them. Also weeds started coming through the stones due the amount being moved when clearing the leaves. The conifers had no purpose and will be replaced with more decorative planting.
Next move… ready to plant ©www.design&garden.co.uk

So much cleaner and a neat area in general, easier to clean up the leaves and general mess. The drain has been lifted to stop it blocking. The block edge was lifted about 100mm and stone removed and dug to help drainage and to stop the occasional flooding that was occurring. A recycled stone edge was added to retain the stone and reduce any excess water going to the house.

The remaining areas are now ready for planting, which will be done by Design & Garden very soon…

It’s coming on… ©designandgarden2020

MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW…. SHOWING UPDATES AND THE FINISHED CONCEPT

©designandgarden