If our eyes are the windows to our soul then the windows of our home are the eyes to the first impression of our world, and yet many people's gardens do not reflect peace harmony or joy. 

Our own private gardens are an aspect of our environment that we can have direct control over, and yet many people have not created the tranquillity, beauty or impact that so many of us crave within the environment in which we live. 

Nobody could fail to have noticed the vast numbers of television programmes in recent years aimed at encouraging us to create beautiful gardens.  Horticultural knowledge, alone, is no longer enough.  The garden is an extension of our house, visually during poorer weather and physically during good weather.

When planning the design and layout of a room, we aim to create a space that is not just attractive and personally pleasing, but caters for all the activities that will take place in that room.  For example; relaxation, dining, reading or a host of other possible activities, and the same principles need to be applied to the garden.  However, this can be even more challenging as we need to consider the changing seasons, and the suitability of plant species.  Well chosen planting can strengthen the dimension of the external room, whilst incorrectly selected species can create moderate or deficient magnitude, diminishing the overall impact of the garden.

When designing a room, we would see it as most unsatisfactory if the room only functioned, and looked attractive, during a few months of the year.  Unfortunately, this is what often happens in a garden that has not been properly designed.  In a poorly designed garden, there is normally a peak time, when the borders burst into life in early spring, but come mid/late summer there is a jaded feel.  Imported summer bedding adds to the overall look of the garden during the summer, but if not removed and replaced when past its best, it is likely to create a 'hole' in the planting scheme.  A well-designed scheme will allow for seasonality, but still have much to offer through all seasons

A garden should cater for all the activities that will take place there; a place to relax and sunbathe, a place for children to play and al-fresco dining are normally accommodated, but the essence of good design is in how all these elements are integrated together, without compromising the visual flow of the space.

 An inside room wouldn't function well without some form of artificial light and it is likely that there will be more than one light source.  At times there will be a need  for a strong central light source and at other times a more subtle light will be required to create a more relaxing ambience.  The same could be said for a garden.  A well designed lighting scheme may involve more than one lighting circuit;  perhaps two or three.  One circuit could be used to highlight individual specimen plants or interesting textures.  This lighting could form a permanent feature, at all times, even when the garden is not being used.  The effects can still be appreciated when looking out onto the garden from inside the house.  An additional circuit may allow for stronger lighting - to allow for evening cooking or bar-b-queuing and dining - or to create a stronger, general ambient light. 

Once some of the basic requirements have been worked out the next step is to consider the overall design of the garden.  There are three possible options - take a DIY approach, call a landscaping company or call in a specialist garden designer. 

DIY approach - most people know what they like but are not able to transfer their ideas into an integrated design that is innovative, practical and maximises a garden's potential.  Many people have insufficient plant knowledge to be able to select the best species that will create the impact they have visualised within their own minds-eye.  This is where Avant-Gardens can help.

A landscaping company - may well have years of experience in construction and offer a range of off-the-shelf solutions, however, this requires that the client clearly defines want they want.  This can result in the client not fully realising the potential of the garden.  Although they know what they like they now have two dimensions to consider.  Transferring their aspirations for the garden to the landscaper in order that he builds the garden in the same way the client is visualising it, and the client being able to translate their thoughts and ideas into a practical and integrated scheme.  Mistakes at this point can be very costly, as the end result is a constructed garden that does not have the impact that the client had visualised within their own mind.  Avant-Gardens can help with both the DIY and landscaping company options, by offering a design only service.

A design only service will give a client the opportunity to create a beautiful garden by working from a 'Masterplan', produced by a professional garden designer, as time and budget allow.  By taking a phased approach, and undertaking most of the work themselves, a client will have the satisfaction of knowing 'where they are going', as they will be working towards a clearly defined goal.  Alternatively, the design can be given to an independent contractor to construct from.

A garden designer will offer a more bespoke service that is individual, unique and tailor-made for your needs.  Many people are put-off by the idea of using a garden designer as they fear the cost may be prohibitive - but mistakes can be more costly!.   I'm sure many readers have spent considerable money without achieving the impact they were hoping for.  Opting to use a garden design service does not necessarily mean that the designated budget has to be exceeded.  All schemes have a budget and what is important is maximising what is achievable within that budget.

Avant-Gardens offer a 'Bespoke Design Service', a 'Design and Build Srvice' or our new 'Postal Design Service'.

Avant-Gardens 'Bespoke Design Service' offers a full photographic and measured survey, and a site appraisal, to ensure that best use is made of the site.  Sketch design options will allow for a choice of schemes and allow for 'mix and match' solutions.  Once a final outline sketch has been devised the detail can be added.  This will lead to the production of all planting plans, construction drawings and imagery to ensure that the client can fully appreciate the final design.

Avant-Gardens Design and Build Service offers a complete solution.  We will undertake all aspects of the new garden from conception to completion - and beyond!.  Once we have taken the client through the full 'Bespoke Design Service' to arrive at a final design, we will under-take all aspects of construction to ensure the garden is built to meet, or exceed, the clients expectation.  We only use our own team of professional craftsmen and gaurantee all our work.

Our new 'Postal Service' allows the client to complete a questionnaire and conduct their own survey - based on our easy to follow guide - and will receive an innovative and professionaly produced design through the post. 

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