Landscape general arrangement drawing for a private country garden in Bedfordshire, showing the house, parking court, lawns, tree planting and allotment garden

Garden for Louise and John

This project was about uncovering the potential of an established garden.


Set within the Bedfordshire countryside, the garden had all the ingredients for a beautiful space but offered limited places to relax or entertain.

The design introduces new thresholds, layered planting, an enclosed outdoor dining space, an allotment garden, and subtle screening to create a more intimate, welcoming, and purposeful environment. The aim is to reshape the garden into a place that truly supports the clients’ lifestyle.

Gardens are where families make core memories. My role is to reveal that potential and design spaces that bring people joy.

The Design Process

It can feel daunting to take on a garden project when you’re not sure what the design process involves.


At Seven, I want the journey to feel approachable. This page gives you a glimpse into how a design grows, from first impressions to final form, and how each landscape is shaped in response to its place, its people, and its potential.

Opportunities & Constraints

Opportunities and constraints study: two site photographs of the front of the house, noting the sprawling block paviour driveway and the lack of any planted transition to the entrance

Every landscape holds potential, sometimes hidden, sometimes obvious, always worth uncovering.

The foundation of any good design is a rigerous understanding and analysis of the opportunities and constraints of your space.

Opportunities and constraints study: two site photographs marked up in orange, showing dense vegetation blocking the view out and the rolling Bedfordshire farmland it hides

Site Analysis

This stage reveals how a landscape truly works.

By observing movement, light, landform, and existing character, we build the insight needed to shape a design that feels grounded and responsive.

Views analysis drawing, mapping key views out of the garden, views currently blocked by existing vegetation, views in from neighbouring land, and the zones proposed for screening

Key Views

Sun and aspect analysis drawing, showing the south facing areas that hold afternoon light, the east facing areas that catch morning light, and the sun path across the garden

Sun Path and Microclimates

Design Evolution

Design evolution brings ideas into focus.

We move from initial spatial arrangements to a clear concept design, shaping the structure, character, and intent of the garden.

Design evolution plan with numbered zones: the threshold to the house, an external dining area, a reduced parking court, a private screened courtyard, guest parking, an informal seating area and an allotment garden

Spatial Arrangement

Design evolution plan annotated with the design moves, including setting the house into the garden with deeper planting, a tighter parking layout, a screened private courtyard and an allotment garden with raised beds and a timber bench

Concept Design

Detailed Design

Detailed design elevation of the bespoke timber screening feature, a slatted screen on timber posts with planting growing through it, set between existing trees with a figure shown for scale

This is where ideas become buildable.

Materials, levels, planting, and construction details are refined so the design can be delivered with clarity and confidence.

Detailed design plan of the main paving area, showing the stone layout, planting beds and the position of the outdoor dining table

Interested in exploring

your spaces potential?

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