Feeling somewhat fazed by the size of the challenge, they contacted the experts at Garden Makeovers to come up with an action plan that would give them a garden to enjoy and complement their traditional detached, blonde sandstone villa in the Bearsden suburb of Glasgow.
Specialists in garden design, landscaping, patios, driveways and more, Garden Makeovers is a fully accredited, award-winning Glasgow-based company with a long-established reputation for delivering commercial and residential projects large and small on time, on budget, and with care and consideration, ensuring no mess or stress for owners.
“In this instance, the main issue was the disjointed patio at the rear of the house, which needed to be reworked, as did old stone steps down to the sloping lower garden,” explains company director, Scott Boyd.
“However, a more detailed assessment highlighted major structural issues, including old and unsafe retaining walls, which required extensive remedial work, careful strategic planning, and planning consent from the local council before any construction could begin.
“Given the extent of remedial work required, the owners decided on an all-or-nothing approach and upsized the project, opting for a full re-design to give them a low-maintenance garden to use and enjoy for relaxation, leisure, outdoor dining and entertaining – and also complement the property’s look and character,” he adds.
Part of the government-backed Trust Mark scheme amongst others and differentiated by its drive for quality and service over price, Garden Makeovers’ in-house team includes Caitlin Pietersen, a fully qualified landscape architect whose skills and experience equip her to address both the big picture and the precise details of how a new landscape will look and function.
She also advises on the best materials, styles, textures, colours, and planting scheme to deliver a cost-effective finished project.
“Communication is at the heart of any new garden design as it must consider so many different factors, including the homeowners’ personal preferences, lifestyle, and on-going maintenance,” says Caitlin.
“This project started as a re-work but grew arms and legs and ended up as a complete re-design, including plans for a final finishing touch still to be completed – a new ‘garden room’ with stepped access from the side of the house, to utilise a newly created empty space.”
Once Caitlin’s design was agreed and planning consent approved by the council, construction began to replace the old retaining walls with modern rendered walls, while the main paved patio was replaced using Marshalls’ Fairstone Sawn sandstone paving slabs in Golden Sand, a shade which co-ordinates with the property’s handsome blonde sandstone façade.
Image: Garden Makeovers
From the patio, the various garden levels – including sloped beds with structural retaining walls for planting and erosion control – are now connected via new sandstone steps, pathways, and a new lower terrace, while the addition of clear glass patio and terrace balustrades maintain visual continuity and ensure safety.
Halfway through construction, Caitlin began work on planting schemes for the garden’s different tiers. “As always, this starts with listening and communicating to establish the owners’ preferences, which for this project, was a low-maintenance Japanese-inspired scheme that would provide year-round colour, structure and interest.
“The owners were happy to go with my plant suggestions, which included golden bamboo, specimen birch trees, several varieties of acers, grasses, shrubs and perennials. The garden is partly bordered by mature trees, most of which are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, and while tree works had previously been undertaken, no trees were removed,” she says.
In total, around 700 plants were purchased from McLaren’s Nurseries in Barrhead – each one planted individually either by Caitlin herself, or by one of the team (under her eagle eye). “A lot of work, but hugely rewarding when completed,” she adds.
Caitlin also devised an agreed scheme for outdoor lighting, including individual plant uplighters. Often overlooked, lighting enhances a garden’s ambience and aesthetic, can improve safety and security, and extend the use of outdoor living areas well into the evening, increasing functionality and enjoyment.
Garden Makeovers’ directors Scott Boyd and Brian McGuiness managed the project, which started small and grew exponentially to deliver a stunning new, multi-level design seamlessly connecting upper and lower garden areas through stepped access, landscaped slopes, and modern retaining walls.
The addition of Japanese-inspired planting, premium sandstone paving, and bespoke glass balustrades, culminates in a visually striking, functional, and low-maintenance outdoor space which complements the age and character of the property and will provide pleasure for many years to come.
Note: As a Marshalls approved contractor, this project has been entered into Marshalls annual UK-wide competition for the most creative use of a Marshalls paving product.
