THE BRIEF
The clients wanted to transform a small, enclosed town garden into a private outdoor retreat that felt warm, relaxed, and characterful.
They were drawn to Mediterranean gardens for their sense of enclosure, natural materials, and planting that offers colour, fragrance, and movement.
The space needed to feel intimate and sheltered while remaining practical for everyday use, with comfortable seating, gentle lighting, and planting that would mature beautifully over time.
DESIGN RESPONSE
The garden was organised around a sunken central seating space, allowing the main area of use to sit below surrounding planting and walls, increasing privacy and creating a strong sense of enclosure. Curved rendered walls define this space, softening the geometry and giving the garden a sculptural quality.
Gravel paving was used to maintain permeability and reinforce the relaxed Mediterranean character, while integrated lighting within the walls allows the space to be used into the evening without dominating the planting.
A water feature formed from simple spouts and a shallow pond introduces sound, movement, and wildlife value, helping to cool and animate the space in warmer months. A terracotta urn provides a focal point within the planting, adding texture and material warmth.
The planting palette combines drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly species with softer perennials and shrubs, creating layers of structure, seasonal colour, and fragrance. Lavender, roses, and flowering perennials were selected to echo Mediterranean planting traditions while remaining suited to the local climate.
The result is a small but richly structured town garden that feels calm, sheltered, and expressive — a space designed for everyday living, quiet moments, and long evenings outdoors.