Exterior Ideas
What material should I use? Many people think of wood when it comes to pergolas, but your material options are surprisingly wide. Vinyl and fibreglass pergolas are lightweight and long-lasting options, as are aluminium models. Steel pergolas are heavier, but also a good choice to consider.
fence supporting pergola frame
On top of the extension, Lior planted a wildflower meadow. “It’s simple. You make the roof watertight as you would do anyway, put down soil and sow seeds,” he says. “Soil provides natural insulation, and it brings wildlife to the area.”
Even a space underneath a stairwell has been planted in order to create a ‘green route’ to and from people’s front doors. The terrazzo panels on the stairwell are full of tiny little lights, which create a magical effect at night. This part of the project was all done by hand. “The end result is amazing, but it did involve cutting up 3.8 miles of fibre optic cable!” says Gould.
Tocha Project Rising Glen Well planted green oasis
Design & decorative tricks to add brightness? Painting fences a lighter colour works, and water can also add another dimension. Install lighting, so that, in the evening, parts of the garden can glow, but be aware of light pollution. Make sure the lights are on a circuit, so you can have individual lights on when you need them rather than all of them at once. Timers will ensure you won’t leave them on accidentally. Use lighter coloured paving or stone aggregate to reflect what light there is.
Garden path: paving with brickwork edges (cf Elms terrace)
***** Different levels, floor plan & textures -paving, brick walls, timber Trellis for foliage and to frame the view, adding depth & interest.
The finished garden has a planting scheme that focuses on greenery to provide an evergreen structure. There’s also a smattering of pretty white flowers from classics such as jasmine. The design included installing wide planters at the base of the trellis (onto an existing low wall). “These allow climbing plants to grow up the sides,” says Gee.
The Garden Trellis Company The trellis has been fitted in large square panels to avoid too many joins. “These were made from timber using jigs, which allow us to quickly and efficiently make them to the right length and height,” says Gee.
The Garden Trellis Company The trellis is made of a knot-free softwood called radiata pine.
Simple and effective garden
Create a dividing wall and striking archway Rather than thinking of trellis purely as a wall attachment, if you consider using it as a stand-alone ‘screen’ the possibilities really open up. A sturdy trellis can be used to divide a garden by creating a ‘wall’ that screens off a section of your space. It can also be used to construct an arch/walkway for roses to scramble over, as here.
Angular & ghastly! also dreadful for maintenance....
Boost the light A sunken courtyard can sometimes be a little dark, so to brighten yours, paint surfaces in a pale colour and stick to a palette of green and white for the planting. Choose pale paving, too, which will act as a blank canvas against which to showcase furniture and plants. Neat furniture can also help to keep the space feeling light. Here, the built-in floating bench allows you to view the space underneath, helping to make the area feel as roomy as possible.
Bin store, horizontal wood slats
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