Status : Design stage
Site : A rural garden with paddocks and a lake, located within an area of outstanding beauty.
The brief was to design a family-focused outdoor space—one that offers everything needed to enjoy life outside, from dining and entertaining to play and moments of quiet retreat.
The design features an immersive, free-flowing organic layout that wraps around a beautiful thatched period property in Poole, Dorset. It is deeply connected to its setting and the surrounding landscape, harmonizing seamlessly with the architecture and historic character of the home.
Sweeping, sinuous borders extend from the house into the garden, creating a sense of continuity between all areas. The layout flows effortlessly across the site, encouraging gentle movement between spaces and establishing strong visual links to the open fields beyond—borrowing from the wider scenery to enhance the sense of place.
A series of inviting spaces have been introduced for relaxation and entertaining, with dedicated zones for games such as pétanque and wellness features including a hot tub and sauna.
Outdoor cooking and dining form a central focus, anchored by an enclosed oak-framed structure positioned at the heart of the garden between the main house and outbuildings. Acting as an extension of the home, this space will become the hub for gatherings.
Planting lies at the core of the concept. Generous borders will showcase sweeping drifts of perennials and ornamental grasses, bringing texture, movement, and seasonal interest as they respond to the wind. Arranged in a naturalistic style, this scheme will create a seamless connection with the surrounding landscape.