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TOP: The terrace is ideal for entertaining.
FAR RIGHT: Rich planting and herbs softens linear geometry and a modern, slatted screen keeps the terrace light and airy.
ABOVE: A fresh lawn creates a feeling of space. Simple box hedging extends the geometry and encases a reflective pond. Containers and jewel colours add interest.
RIGHT: Staggered rectangles of terrace, planting and steps provide staged access to the lawn.’
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A large, raised terrace was built to create an easily accessible, outdoor living area for this family in Muswell Hill, North London where both parents and teenagers could entertain friends and family.
The terrace, raised planting beds and a series of generous steps bridge the drop into the garden in stages and lift the garden to house level, linking internal and external space. Grey slate paving, black limestone edging and soft grey, slatted screen echo internal walls, floor and kitchen surfaces to further tie house and garden together. Bay standards, olives and trees provide structure, with box hedging used to further define the geometry of the garden. Soft planting of grasses, perennials and roses in a rich colour scheme of bronze, purples, dusky pink and claret is lifted by white flowering plants and the fresh green lawn. Bamboo to the rear offers valuable screening. Simple, circular dark grey planters and a raised ‘containerised’ pond provide focal interest and contrast with the linear geometry of the garden.
Photographs by Matthew Gilbert.