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love as the “ Garden Capital of the World , ” London is renowned for its brilliant schematic gardens , including the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and the garden at Hampton Court Palace . In the more engorged urban areas of London , where space is at a premium , gardens are still customary and extremely desired . The challenge is to design them on a much modest scale while striking a balance between the beautiful and the pragmatic .
The Dominicus sofa terrace is anchored by a ironic - stone feature bulwark . In the eve , the spotlight highlight the terrific texture of the stone . Photo by : Daniel Shea
“ In urban and suburban London , garden are normally quite small and are overlooked by neighbors , ” says Daniel Shea , a garden designer based in north London . “ I stress and create outer space that are intimate , relaxing , and private , which can be gainsay in these built - up areas . ”
For this little townhouse in Barnsbury , London , Shea was call for to create a sophisticated , modern-day garden for relaxing and entertaining while screening the space from the surrounding townhomes . The clients , a professional couple , be after to apply the garden primarily on the weekends and evening . Therefore , get off to extend the use of the garden well into night was vital .
A gas outdoor open fireplace and garden lighting extend the consumption of the garden into the even . pic by : Daniel Shea
Before Shea begin his shift , the garden was nothing but a modest stone terrace and a rotting wood deck environ by a lawn and minute border . Still , he saw all the potential the distance offered . “ The garden was semi shaded and enjoyed a sheltered position due to the surrounding tall townhouses and central London localization , ” he says . “ The clients had a modest budget , but this shortly increased as the intention pass on and they became more and more enthused . ”
The intention for the outer space was inspired by the client ’s inner décor of fine graphics and contemporary article of furniture and reflects these refined tastes . The fundamental expanse of the garden has a water trough , habilitate in white limestone , that spill onto a dry - stone route . Towards the rear of the garden is a sun terrace with a spectacular dry - stone bulwark up - lit by three spot , which highlight the rampart ’s beautiful textures . For the primary social area , Shea ’s centering was to make it ideal for entertain . It features a gravid gasoline open fireplace , a gas grill , and a chrome - framed modular couch , with white limestone paving add for a touch of sumptuosity .
A limestone - clad manger spills body of water onto the teetotal - stone paving , which add texture and contrast to the pale cream limestone . Photo by : Daniel Shea
The planting dodge is evenly sophisticated , display soft tones of white and green in contrasting texture ( see Shea ’s works list ) . Three silver birch rod Tree were also installed to provide a sense of seclusion amid the surrounding matrix of townhouses .
A matureMagnolia grandifloraand course of silver birch tree rise above a mix of planting in soothe tones of green and livid , includingEchinacea purpurea‘White Swan’,Dryopteris wallichiana , andHelleborus x hybridus‘Pretty Ellen White ’ . Photo by : Daniel Shea
“ I wanted to create a clean , relaxing , almost hedonistic garden of white Oliver Stone , white tree bark , and blanched flowers with the loosen up fleeceable tones and foliation , ” says Shea . “ I tend not to expend lawn and rather replace them with plantings and stone . ”
Hakonechloa macraandDryopteris wallichianahelp to soften the stone pathways and wall . Photo by : Daniel Shea
To see more of Shea ’s work , visit his website atDaniel Shea Contemporary Garden Design .
List of Plants and Why Shea Chose Them
Echinacea purpurea‘White Swan’:One of my all - meter preferent plants . It ’s grandiloquent , graceful , has good course and body structure , and flowers for a long period . It also looks practiced after flowering , as the plant ’s structure remains unbendable and upright .
Astrantia major‘Star of Billion’:Early summer flowering , a profusion of wonderful white blossom , very graceful and unique . The foliage is also of interest . Deadheading facilitate further flowering .
Hakonechloa macra : I use these on the verges of my planting borders . The way the long , soft greenish foliage gracefully cascade onto the white stone knits the backbreaking and soft landscaping together .
Dryopteris wallichiana : My go - to fern . It has great grain and I love the furry fateful stem as they open . It ’s quite fixed , so it can support more slight planting behind it .
genus Helleborus x hybridus‘Pretty Ellen White’:I like adding this plant into my combinations because its unequalled leaf rises above the ground cover planting and work well with any plant . It also provides elegant , white , early spring flowers .
Deschampsia cespitosa‘Goldtau’:This weed adds deepness to a planting system . The shimmering bronze seed heads bring home the bacon movement and a gilded glow in late evening .
genus Buxus sempervirens : I found this in white stone planters on the main waiting area bench and the sun terrace towards the butt . It bestow a classical elegance to the more schematic areas of the garden .
Betula utilisvar.jacquemontii : No white-hot garden would be complete without silverish birch . These trees ply wintertime pastime with their off-white bark , and their light - green canopy cater screening from the neighbour without casting too much shade .
The furnishings in the garden complement the gray paint on the garden wall . Modular garden furniture ( fromIndian Ocean ) is backlit by wall lights , which add a calming ambience in the evening . Photo by : Daniel Shea
