Family gardens

A large proportion of the gardens we design are for families. Families of all shapes and form, some with young children, some with teenagers, sometimes grandchildren, sometimes even multi-generational families.

And sometimes we are called back when the children have grown up, the trampoline is no longer required, and the adults can reclaim the whole space just for them.

Each family is unique and have their unique lifestyle and interests. This is one of our favourite parts of our work: meeting people, getting to know them and what makes them tick. Hence we always start the design process with loads (and loads) of questions.

Family gardens need to cover many needs and do so in a way that looks effortless. They need to achieve the perfect balance between looking stunning and being practical.

Above all they need to draw the whole family outside.

“The kids run out into the garden every morning before going to school, even when it rains”

Our general approach  to young family gardens is to integrate child’s play into the planting and use natural materials to create play equipment. The children feel immersed in vegetation, more connected to nature, thus triggering “happy” hormones. It also creates a sense of adventure, it is more playful, more mystery, more imaginary play, which makes the whole experience more appealing to most children. It is more pleasing visually so the parents are happy too.

Parents deserve a comfortable entertaining and lounging area, with children in view so that they can relax and enjoy that glass of wine while the children still feel “hidden”.

One of my old clients asked for us to create a teenager hangout, hidden away enough so that the teens feel private but cleverly positioned so that she could still keep an eye at times.

We don’t assume that all children want to play football and run around. Some children are more contemplative, some are born explorers, some are bookworms and enjoy sitting in a quiet corner in dappled shade (so they can see their phone screen more like it), some (most ) respond to sensory stimulation. Same for parents, not all families are the same.

Hence each garden is unique.