OUR WORKPortfolio

Like many town centre gardens, this space started life as a predictable, uninspiring rectangle of generic turf and cold block paving. Enclosed by close-board fencing, it felt disconnected from nature, overlooked, and entirely underutilised. The clients’ wanted to completely erase the sterile feel of the space and replace it with a lush, abundant sanctuary that could seamlessly host everything from quiet morning coffees to vibrant evening cocktail parties.

Zoned for Modern Luxury

To maximize the compact urban footprint, we broke the garden into distinct “rooms” using clean, contemporary lines.

• The Lounge & Dining Zones: Dedicated stone terraces provide distinct areas for lounging and al fresco dining, allowing the clients to move through the garden as the sun shifts.

• The Entertainment Hub: The undisputed crown jewel of the hard landscaping is a bespoke, luxurious garden bar. Clad in brick and granite, framed with grand oak posts and fully equipped for hosting, it acts as a striking focal point and the ultimate anchor for evening entertaining.

Playful Integration

Rather than removing the existing children’s playhouse, we upcycled and integrated it into the wider design scheme. Painted in a sophisticated black to blend it into the existing surroundings, it now sits nestled harmoniously within the garden, serving its functional purpose for the family while contributing to the garden’s polished, cohesive look.

Creating Movement and Abundance

To counteract the hard lines of the town centre location, the planting palette was designed to bring softness, texture, and immediate maturity to the space. We introduced multi-stem trees to provide architectural height, dappled shade, and essential privacy from neighbouring windows.

The underplanting is a celebration of soft, romantic texture and movement, featuring:

• Drifts of Ornamental Grasses that catch the breeze and rustle softly, masking ambient town noise.

• Salvia and Nepeta providing deep, continuous waves of purple and blue hue throughout the summer months.

• Echinops (Globe Thistle) adding structural intrigue and a striking, architectural silhouette.

The Verdict

By breaking up the existing block paving into zones, using layered planting and high-end functional zones, This Urban Sanctuary proves that there is no need for a rural address to have a nature haven. The space now hums with pollinators, sways beautifully in the wind, and offers a private, luxurious escape from the pace of urban life.

Paving – Wexford Buff @mandarinstone

Dining and Bar Furniture Laura James Home

Our latest new-build transformation. This was an Autumn 2025 design followed by Spring 2026 build. Our gold package plus project oversight and planting design for one of my favourite clients to date: Tony and Andrea.

As retired scientists, they brought a fascinating level of curiosity to the table. Tony, formerly Head of Nuclear Safety Cases, and Andrea have completely embraced the biophilic design process. Given their vast experience in such highly analytical roles, their deep interest in the work we do has been a massive verification of how important these design principles truly are.

We went through exactly how these principles are integral to their space, exploring how our gardens are more than just “pretty views,” but essential links to our innate need for nature, having a profound, positive effect on both our bodies and minds. 🧠✨

As a designer, there is nothing more vital than trust. Because Tony and Andrea trusted the process implicitly, we were able to prioritise true functionality alongside a beautiful, impactful aesthetic.

Of course, a vision is only as good as the hands that build it. This smooth, enjoyable journey was a total team effort. Huge thanks to the experts behind the scenes:

🛠 @neupave for the precision in landscaping. 🌿

Seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces at the end reminds me exactly why I love this job. Design has the power to change your life… if you trust the process. ✨

Materials & Suppliers:

• Bruges Cotto paving Mandarin Stone
• Terzetto – St Raphael paving Terzetto Stone
• Pergola – Pergolux
• Water Feature and lighting – Adezz / In-Lite

Furniture Hay Design

Our Gold-award-winning show garden at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show 2026 redefined urban sanctuary through the lens of sophisticated biophilic design. As leading garden designers in North Yorkshire, we curated a compact yet transformative oasis that prioritised sensory movement, light, and air. The layout utilised concrete as a structural backbone, softened by natural timber, stone, and Corten steel to ensure the environment remains breathable and grounded. By layering distinct zones and subtle pathways, the design encourages exploration, revealing shifting shadows and reflective water features that cool the atmosphere and amplify the available daylight.

Central to this award-winning scheme is the “flow effect,” a strategic structural arrangement that draws air through the space to create a constant sense of life and motion. A dappled canopy and intricate lattice work cast evolving patterns across the ground, playing with shadow and reflection to add a deliberate architectural depth. This fusion of hard landscaping and airy, fine-textured greenery creates a harmonious balance, offering a blueprint for high-end residential projects across Harrogate and North Yorkshire.

Working in collaboration with landscapers Neu Pave

The Biophilic Mural Collaboration

A standout feature of this restorative landscape is our collaboration with Rachel Elizabeth Murals. By merging our horticultural expertise with her artistic vision, we created a stunning biophilic mural backdrop that serves as more than just a visual anchor. Scientifically proven to reduce stress levels by up to 60%, this mural utilises fractal patterns and nature-based imagery to trigger Attention Restoration Theory in the viewer.

Originally debuted at the show, this piece is due to be re-installed at a lucky school in Rotherham, where it will provide a therapeutic backdrop for students, supporting sensory regulation and emotional well-being. Our success at the 2026 show highlights a commitment to creating restorative, sustainable spaces that balance contemporary lines with the essential human need for a connection to nature.