Amersham

Layered Family Garden

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This large garden in Amersham had become tired and underused, with areas of the site overgrown and disconnected from the main house.

The aim was to completely rework the space, creating a series of well-structured garden areas that support family life while feeling established and in keeping with the property.

PROJECT DESIGN BRIEF

  • Redesign a tired and outdated garden
  • Create defined spaces for dining, relaxing and entertaining
  • Introduce shade to a south-facing garden
  • Provide a large lawn area for family use
  • Retain and enhance existing mature planting where possible
  • Develop a ‘secret garden’ beyond the existing hedge
  • Incorporate a garden room, hot tub and fire feature
  • Deliver a cohesive design across the entire plot

 

Modern house with garden and outdoor seating area.

The Challenge

The garden lacked structure and flow, with the rear section completely overgrown and disconnected.

The existing terrace did not suit the family’s lifestyle and needed a full redesign. Access and construction conditions also added complexity, with the project delivered through a wet winter and limited site access.

OUR DESIGN APPROACH

We divided the garden into three distinct but connected zones, each with a clear purpose.

The design balances formal structure close to the house with a softer, more relaxed feel further out, culminating in a more secluded garden space.

Careful use of materials and planting ensures the entire scheme feels cohesive and long-established.

Modern garden with fire pit and seating area

Design Visualisation

As part of the design process, a 3D walkthrough video was created to bring the scheme to life. This allowed the client to fully understand how the garden would look and feel, moving beyond traditional 2D plans.

The walkthrough helped illustrate the relationship between levels, materials and planting, as well as how the different spaces would connect. It provided clarity and confidence at an early stage and ensured the final build closely followed the agreed vision.

KEY FEATURES

Zoned Garden Layout

The garden is organised into three main areas, creating a natural progression from formal entertaining spaces to a more relaxed and secluded retreat at the far end of the plot.

Terrace and Outdoor Living

A new terrace near the house provides space for both dining and relaxation. An oak pergola with a retractable sail offers shade, making the south-facing space comfortable throughout the day.

Water Feature and Seating Area

A sofa seating area is positioned alongside a linear water rill, introducing gentle movement and sound while creating a calm and inviting place to relax.

Lawn and Planting Structure

The central lawn provides a generous, open space for family use, flanked by large borders that incorporate existing mature planting and introduce new layers of colour and texture.

Secret Garden and Garden Room

Beyond the existing hedge, a hidden garden has been created. This space includes a garden room, cedar hot tub and fire bowl, offering a more private and informal setting.

Consistent Materials and Integration

Materials and detailing have been carefully selected to tie the different areas together, ensuring the garden feels cohesive despite its scale and varied uses.

The Outcome

The finished garden transforms a disjointed and overgrown space into a series of well-balanced outdoor rooms.

Each area supports a different aspect of family life, while the overall design feels unified and timeless.

Despite the challenges during construction, the result is a garden that sits naturally within its setting and feels as though it has always been there.

Outdoor stone planter with modern staircase
Modern outdoor dining area with garden view.

Behind The Scenes

This project involved a complete transformation of the garden, reshaping both the layout and how the space is used. What began as a tired and overgrown plot is now a series of well-defined areas that work together as a cohesive whole.

From early design concepts through to construction, the focus was on creating a garden that felt natural to its setting while meeting the practical needs of the family.

The gallery below show how the scheme evolved, from initial condition through to completion.