Garden Stepping Stones
An outdoor space, whether it be a large garden or a small courtyard, should always inspire and comfort you.
Designing or creating a garden is not necessarily an easy thing to do. There are many factors which need to be considered, most importantly the personal aspect of the home and the space that surrounds it. No two gardens are designed and created the same, just as no two homes are exactly alike.
Over the past 15 years, the introduction and acceptance of the extension of indoor-outdoor connections plays an important role in how a household interacts and shares these spaces. Popularity in entertaining extends outside the home where we share our space with loved ones, creating memories for both children and adults.
Designing and building your own garden is very rewarding and can be for the most part a pleasurable experience. Number one rule when designing your garden. Take your time. Try and include elements which will say something about you. Take some risks. A garden is never stagnated, it changes with the seasons and the years, so be open to change and be bold in your thinking.
Questions you might like to consider if designing a garden, yourself:
Look for inspiration through magazines, books, tv programs, etc
Speak to your local nursery for planting ideas and care.
What is your style? Formal, cottage, modern, contemporary
What do you want to achieve? List of what you want in your garden including the practical things like furniture, shade, privacy, storage.
What are the focal points you want to draw attention to.
Colour theme, textures, material choices?
At Soul2Soil we have a four-page questionnaire which guides our clients through some of these questions. We find it helps to establish a framework for design ideas whilst also stimulating the clients thinking on areas they may not have considered. A stepping stone for collecting thoughts and ideas before the initial site visit.
In a professional setting (these elements are also relevant to the home gardener/designer) there are 10 important aspects to consider through out the design process:
Understand your site for plant selection and activity location.
Remember the user by considering what they want and need.
Use a form and/or style theme to help determine shapes and organise spaces.
Create and link spaces by designating activity areas and linking with elements.
Consider the function of plants for both the environment and the user.
Structure the plantings by using massing and layering techniques.
Highlight important points such as transition areas and focal points.
Pay attention to detail in the materials, the colours and the surface textures.
Take time into account for the growth and maintenance of plants.
Protect resources by using sustainable design practices.
Advice to clients is that garden design can be quite rewarding. Creating a new space and watching it mature over time is a wonderful feeling. Experiencing the passing seasons also brings new dimensions to a garden. Whether you relish in the task of designing and building your own garden or you prefer to hire professionals, the outcome and enjoyment a garden can bring to a home is unmeasurable.
Soul2Soil Landscape Design Pty Ltd’s vision focuses on delivering exceptional outdoor spaces that exceed client’s expectations and provides them with creative solutions for their outdoor needs; giving pleasure, comfort and functionality to a built form that flows seamlessly from house to garden.
