A Wow Factor Garden in Highworth, Near Swindon
Contrasting textures and beautiful materials come together to create the wow factor in this Highworth garden, near Swindon.
Before We Started…
When we first came to look at this garden, we could see that it lacked character and defined areas. There was a small patio consisting of unattractive concrete pavers laid by the builders, but no obvious places in the garden to sit. Furthermore there were wasted parts of the garden that were not fully being made use of.
The garden had great potential: what it needed was a cohesive and functional design in which areas of the garden complemented and flowed into each other. Katie’s design fulfilled this brief, and the team have created a beautiful and purpose built garden. Here’s a ‘before and after slider’ showing some of the changes that have taken place:
And here are some ‘before’ photos showing the disjointed areas of the garden that needed work…
The Garden Wow Factors…
The garden works by using contrasting materials (paving, deckboards and shingle) to mark and define the separate areas of the garden. These materials complement each other, resulting in a garden that is easy on the eye and transitions smoothly from one area to another. Our team have worked with great attention to detail, producing a high quality of workmanship and finish. The result is a garden that will be enjoyed for many years to come. Here are some of the wow factors…
Contemporary Paving
- Contemporary paving now runs along the length of the back of the house, opening up the space and complementing the colour of the house bricks and existing retaining walls.
- We have used large porcelain paving in ‘Perla’ which has been finished with tight joints, and is a personal favourite of mine.
Millboard Deck Boards
- Stunning dark Millboard deck boards in ‘Antique Oak’ have been laid in the seating area under the pergola, defining this space. They have been laid flush to the porcelain paving maintaining a feeling of flow. They contrast perfectly with the existing grey tiles used for the steps and the cooler tones of the new porcelain.
- A deck board pathway has also been laid along the side of the office creating a smart and practical approach to the building.
South Cerney Shingle
- A new area of South Cerney shingle at the side of the house has been installed on top of a weed prevention membrane.
- The placement of porcelain tiles laid within the shingle surface connects the area with the paving used for the main patio, whilst the shingle brings new texture and colour in to this part of the garden which was previously laid to lawn.
A New Pergola
- A new pergola adds interest and height to the deck board seating area. It has been built using 10ft long 6” by 6” wide sawn treated posts, with 6” by 2” treated batons for the crossbeams.
New Drainage Solutions
- Slick new drainage solutions have been incorporated along part of the patio edges. We have used 15 meters of brick slot channel drains which have been connected to the existing storm water drains with a small inspection access placed at each side of the ACO drains for cleaning.
Recessed Manhole Covers
- Two recessed porcelain manhole covers were installed in the main patio.
- These blend inconspicuously with the rest of the patio .
Before and After:
And to finish, here are a couple more ‘before and after’ sliders to show the changes that have taken place from different angles.
If you too would like to enjoy a garden with wow factor, please do contact us at ALDA. You may also like to head down to Nigel Belcher’s showroom in Curridge where you can see some of the materials used in this garden and much more!
From planning a new border to a complete garden remodel, we pride ourselves on transforming ideas into beautiful reality, with minimum disruption. If you’re based in or around the Reading and Newbury area, we’d love to meet and discuss your project in detail – book your free no-obligation garden consultation today.