My Design Process
Brief
The FREE initial consultation is where we get to know each other and discuss all the variables for your garden. How you intend to use the garden, how it should feel and how much time you have to take care of it are all things we will cover as we spend time together on site. This meeting becomes the springboard for the whole design. I will then send a full design brief with a breakdown of the process and the costs involved.
Detail
Where the vision starts to become a reality. This phase includes detailed construction drawings and plans, lighting plans, cross sections, whatever is needed to ensure that the garden I have designed is what is built for you. These drawings, coupled with a detailed scope of works, means that we can send the project out to tender and receive accurate, comparable quotes. I pride myself in the quality of the detailing – so important if you want to get a high-end finish even if your budget is more limited.
Survey
Depending on the size of your garden I will either come back and carry out a measured survey of your garden myself or recommend a trusted company to do that on my behalf. At the same time I will perform a full in-depth site analysis taking in existing structures, areas where you might be overlooked, sunny and shady spots, and create a photographic record of what is there. All this will feed into my design.
Planting
This is like adding the jewels to the garden. There will be a comprehensive planting plan and plant schedule for you with visual floral mood boards so that you get a realistic idea of what your planting scheme will look like. Liaising with nurseries that I have worked with for over 15 years will make sure you get the best quality plants for the right price. I am always on site when the plants arrive and place them out personally for optimum effect.
Design
Having understood all of the site conditions and your aspirations I will get to work sketching a design for your garden. The design will be presented to you in sketch form first so that we can make sure it is to your liking before we move forwards. The drawings are then transform onto CAD and mood boards, masterplans, 3D sketches are created - everything you might need to be able to visualise how the garden will look once finished.
Construction
By meeting our chosen landscapers on site and briefing them, I can monitor the project, ensuring that the landscapers work to the plan and that any questions that come up along the way are resolved in the best way for the final design. There is always a balance between aesthetics, construction and budget and I will help to liaise and oversee so that you get to have the garden I have designed for you.