Collection

260 GARDEN DESIGN LONDON STONE | NATURAL STONE COLLECTION 2016
261
LANDSCAPING EXCELLENCE
DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL
Arbour Design
GARDEN DESIGN
In September 2014 we were
approached by a new client,
Lesley, to redesign and build her
back garden. She had been living
in the property for two years and
decided enough was enough with
her old garden; it had seen better
days.
Elaine and I met with Lesley
and her daughter Tracey, and
over the next month we came up
with the design layout. Although
appearing simple on paper,
executing a project with various
levels, drainage issues and a
swimming pool proved challenging
in reality.
The fun soon began less than
a week into the clearance work.
It was evident that whilst the
swimming pool company wanted
to refurbish the old pool, this was
not going to be possible. The
existing tiling was removed to
uncover a collapsing frame. Once
the frame was removed, there were
further issues as we discovered a
mains pipe just 10cm below the
base of the pool. Not knowing
if this pipe was live or not, a
consulting engineer advised us to
dig, install a new section and cover
it with concrete. Since completing
the project, it turned out that the
pipe was a redundant storm drain,
however it’s always safest to
assume a pipe is live.
Once the pipe issue was
resolved, our team of seven –
along with six subcontractors
– worked in all weather to get the
garden ready for the next biggest
task: laying 200 square metres of
Contemporary Grey Sandstone
from London Stone. With project
manager Liviu excelling in setting
out the pavers, we were able to get
the paving down within two weeks,
including hand-pointing all the
joints. The results speak volumes
for choosing a colour matched
grouting product. Other tasks
that we completed around the
site included building an angularshaped
composite deck, installing
irrigation and lighting, and
undertaking fencing repairs. We
brought in our team of plantsmen
who helped fill the garden with
lots of structural and colourful
planting. Part of the client’s brief
had been to salvage some of the
existing palms to be transplanted
around the pool’s edge along with
Richard Bickler
Managing Director
Arbour Design & Build
other plants in hot colours, giving a
warm, Mediterranean feel.
The pool contractors pulled
out all the stops to ensure that
this entire project was finished
within eight weeks, just in time
for the late spring/early summer
sunshine. The clients were thrilled
with the finished result and some
four weeks later we managed to
capture some fantastic images
with the client dipping her toes
in the pool and walking along her
glistening sawn paving. The clients
were given full care instructions on
how to look after their new garden,
and in spring 2016 works will
be starting on the large carriage
driveway and planting to the front
of the property.
Arbour Design & Build,
www.arbourdesign.co.uk
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