This sloping garden on three levels in N1 was overgrown and neglected, with leggy shrubs, rampant ivy, broken fences and a lawn smothered in weeds.

The clients wanted to maximise the space, get rid of the lawn, and open it up for entertaining. The new garden design should have a contemporary feel.

We used reclaimed York stone throughout to create a flow through the garden, up new, wide steps to an upper terrace framed by low evergreen hedging that reinforces the strong geometry of the design. We added evergreen climbers added to clothe the fencing and give privacy. A structured, low-maintenance planting scheme is softened with soft grasses and billowy hydrangeas and punctuated with evergreen spheres. A large, sculptural bowl, planted with spiky Astelia chathamica anchors the space and provides a focal point. A simple bench catches the last of the sun’s rays.