Our Brief: To create a contemporary, fun family garden that incorporates work, rest and play with abundant year round naturalistic planting.

Our Solution: Set on a slope as many gardens in the Brighton and Hove area are, we decided to create three distinct levels which had very different purposes. Closest to the house we retained and upcycled the existing patio stone to create a formal dining area near to the kitchen.

Stepping stones then transport the clients to the second level which contains a lawn area for the children and a sunken trampoline surrounded by year round planting as screening. A further retaining wall was built from vertical timber sleepers with two stepped 'entrances' on either side.

To the right, steps to the top level lead to an independent new studio room with space for an office and bathroom. While to the left, steps to the top level lead to a hidden hot tub and cold plunge pool. A further retaining wall was added that provided the backdrop for an entertaining area with a large L shaped natural wood floating bench surrounding a bioethanol firepit table and abundant underplanting.

Beige sawn sandstone was used for the pavers and steps, while a dark steel porcelain cladding was used for the final retaining wall, both from London Stone.

The planting included a wide variety of evergreen shrubs; large Pittosporum 'Golf Balls' framed either side of the two entrances to the third level. Troughs of Bamboo flank the studio room which sits in front of a structural row of Magnolia Grandeflora trees for screening. Grasses and shrubs provide year round screening around each separate area of the garden.