Having spent a long time looking for a traditional property without success, Charlotte bought her new-build home in 2018. It was almost winter when they moved in and the garden was in a poor state - it felt unloved and in need of some fresh ideas.
After completing the interior decoration of the house, Charlotte and Andrew turned their attention to the garden. They carefully considered how they'd use the space as a family, taking into account the way the sun moved round it in order to make the most of sunshine and shade at different times of the day.
For Charlotte, interior design is a passion, and she wanted the garden to be an extension of her home. She tackled the project in several stages; preparing the ground, constructing and planting, and took about six months to complete it. We chatted to her to find out exactly how she did it...
THE GOAL
'Entertaining is a big part of our social life, so the design had to be flexible enough to cater for family dining and large gatherings of friends. But I also wanted to be able to relax on my own with a magazine. Retaining a large section of lawn was essential to keep Harvey the Labrador happy. Creating different areas and varying levels in the garden seemed the most practical solution. I also wanted to soften the view of the house at the bottom of the garden, and I wanted it to be low maintenance."
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Real Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Real Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Side-return extensions
An efficient use of redundant outside space, extending to the side is the mart way to gain the extra room you crave and transform the way you live
Spa-style bathrooms
Prioritise self-care and put pampering on your daily schedule by taking bathroom design inspo from your favourite spa
Light & bright
Rachel's main requirements for her kitchen extension were a window overlooking the garden and space to entertain. We reveal how she made her dream a reality
Colourful kitchens
Let your personality shine with a style that makes you smile from that morning cuppa to dinner time. Don't be shy, go for bold
In the zone
Using clever design and planting, Pauline has transformed a blank canvas into an elegant, contemporary garden complete with social spaces, a cutting patch and a pond
Heart of the home
Faced with three living spaces and a tiny kitchen, Jo and Chris have devised a clever, broken-plan layout where the kitchen takes centre stage
Pre-loved treasures
Deborah has filled her south London home with character without breaking the bank, thanks to her smart shopping know-how and eye for a bargain
A new leaf
Dani Sandels embraced her passion for botanics and natural textures in the renovation of her family home, resulting in a space that delights the eye at every turn
A learning experience
Steph and James honed their home-improvement skills as they updated their old house and overgrown garden with help from family and friends -
SAGE GREEN
A calm, tranquil and fresh hue, our colour guru, Amelia, shares why you can't go far wrong with this nearly neutral
