This tiny garden was completely gutted, with only the existing magnolia retained. The designer called for all the fencing to be replaced, and the location and orientation of the gate changed to improve flow through the space. A bespoke storage unit was built to house bikes and bins, keeping clutter out of sight without eating into the usable garden.

The new Jacksons hit-and-miss fencing replaced tired, weathered panels, immediately lifting the whole space and giving it a warm, contemporary backdrop for planting to grow against. Light grey granite plank paving was laid throughout, inset with granite gravel rills to break up the expanse and add texture underfoot. New borders were cut in and built up with imported topsoil, giving the planting scheme the depth and quality of soil it needed to establish quickly.

A corten steel water bowl was set into one of the beds, adding movement and a focal point without taking up valuable floor space — a small but effective feature in a garden where every square metre counts.

In a small garden, attention to detail in the build is crucial to the successful delivery of a design. There's nowhere for poor workmanship to hide, and every junction, joint and level has to be right. It's this precision — as much as the materials themselves — that turns a good design on paper into a garden that feels considered and complete.