Stratford-upon-Avon Living May - Jun 2021

Image from OKA
ADD SOFTNESS
The modern garden should
cry out to be sat in - it
should cosset and relax
- like an extension of the
living room. To achieve
this, it’s important to
add soft elements.
Remembering that on
the whole, gardens
are hard spaces in their
bones - but by layering
textiles, materials and
different seating options, we
can create something really
rather special.
As
well as textiles,
take care to
look at the ways your
hard landscaping interacts with
your soft landscaping - that is,
your decking, patio, walls with
your planting and lawns. Lots
of texture and softness can be
added with the careful selection
of plants and trees - you want
movement in the wind and tactile
elements.
THE LIFE AQUATIC
Adding water to the garden can be one of the best things to do for
your mental health. Here are a few things to consider:
CONSIDER THE MOOD YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE
Water can play many roles in the garden, so it is good to be clear
about the different atmospheres you want to achieve. For instance,
a swimming pool or natural swimming pond could create a wonderful
social space in a family garden, while an ornamental water feature
could make a dramatic focal point in a smaller, urban plot.
Images, left to right from top: Mudcloth Cushion and Anouk Cushion,
from £35 www.hauslife.co.uk; Chair, £279.99 from shop.sueryder.
org; Outdoor Rug, £59.95, Cuckooland; Verano Lounger, £479 from
Danetti; Outdoor Cushions, £25 each from Ragged Rose
Image from Go
Modern Furniture
MAKE SURE YOUR WATER FEATURE RELATES TO THE
STYLE OF THE HOUSE
Design detailing and choice of materials are an essential part of
good garden design, but they are particularly important in smaller
gardens, where water features might need to be sited close to a
property. Water features can look completely out of place if they
have no relation to the character of the house or the design of the
garden that surrounds them. Use materials to reflect the other
elements in the garden, such as paths and walls, and match the
colour and tone of the materials to that of the building so they
don’t jar and make for an uncomfortable setting.
REMEMBER THAT DIFFERENT MATERIALS CREATE
DIFFERENT SOUNDS WHEN WATER FALLS ONTO OR
RUNS OVER THEM
We all see and experience the sound of water very differently. It’s
a very personal experience and you need to explore what it is that
appeals to you about different sounds and what you might find
distracting. Metal for example, can create quite a harsh sound if
water falls onto it directly, but it will sound completely different if
water falls down it vertically.
18 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk