David Andersen Contemporary Garden Design

Why Use a Garden Designer?

5 comments Posted by David Andersen at Friday, May 18, 2012

First off: to save money

"What?" I hear you say.

Well it goes like this: you spend a bit on a well-detailed, well-conceived garden design (well most garden designers charge between £400 -£1,200 pounds for a design. If you are lucky or talented enough designer to have won a few Gold Medals at Chelsea or had you own TV show you probably charge upwards of £1,200 per day for your time).

The thing is, if you have invested money in a good design, you are most likely going to end up loving he scheme when it is finished and it will give you years of pleasure. If it is not well thought out in a masterplan then you could spend far more than the design fee on putting the mistakes right (or even re-doing the schem altogether).

The other things is this: last year I had a young couple come to me for a garden design. They proudly showed me a huge stack of slabs that they had bought in, in readiness with the phrase "we knew they were good cos they were really really EXPENSIVE! ". Well ...NO! Expensive does not equal GOOD! I have some news: CREATIVITY is relatively cheap, compared to acres of the wrong type of slabbing (thats 'flagging' to you if you live north of Birmingham).

You would never try building a house without using a good architect, so why try and build an expensive garden without the garden designer.

Secondly: An Integrated Design

One of the biggest mistakes that people who devise their own gardens is that they over-compartmentalise everything. Example: as a designer I never design a garden with say a lawn over here, a deck over here, some planting over here, etc, etc. I always make sure there is what I call an "Integrated Whole", so that the scheme flows together, it's not always a logical process but one that needs a bit of inspiration.

Time and time again I see the wrong proportion of hardlandscaping vs planting. (OK, a masculine priority vs a feminine one ). If the husband has his way: lots of walling, paving, etc. If the the wife has her way, lots of planting. Getting the balance right is the challenge. Planting is a great 'harmoniser' and will always work best when given a strong structure to work with.

Thirdly: Let's Get Bold

As a designer, I do love raising eyebrows and hearing the question "What?!" when I suggest, for example clearing out some ageing, overmature lavender. Sometimes people get attached to things simply because they have been there for ages, when a good clear out helps create 'an artists empty canvas' and becomes the basis for real creativity.

I love the sharp intake of breath when I suggest, say water in garden or a well thought out, dramatic lighting scheme. I enjoy the process of getting people to 'loosen up' about the idea of change.

It's always a wonderful moment when we have finished a scheme and the client's (or even client's children) start to use their new outside space. I believe that a good well thought out garden can be a great asset to be enjoyed by all.

A Snapshot of our Garden Transformations in Progress

1 comments Posted by David Andersen at Tuesday, May 15, 2012

There has been a hurricane of activity at Garden Magic this spring. We have garden design projects currently covering the entire Northwest: Lancashire, Cheshire, Liverpool, Manchester and even Yorkshire!It is always fun to see the transformations in progress, so here are a few pictures of gardens before and during construction . . . and soon we will share the finished spaces!

Construction is underway in north Manchester (above) as we take what was once plain lawn and create a luxurious space with sleek decking, ornamental pond and contemporary patio, framing a perfect bit of lawn we saved.

In northwest Lancashire this magnificent home (above, that was once a barn!) has large contemporary windows over looking the back garden. The garden has a steep slope, which we are in the process of using to create a terraced and dramatic landscape mimicking a series of outdoor rooms, for eating, relaxing, and entertaining.

Just started yesterday, the Yorkstone from this traditional garden space in Cheshire (above) was lifted, making way for the transition to a modern look, with simple, clean lines, defined edges and dramatic vistas.

More updates coming soon . . .

Spring is here!

2 comments Posted by David Andersen at Monday, April 16, 2012

After the long, but thankfully not too cold winter, the prospect of warm sunny days fills us with anticipation. We have been busy through the fall and winter preparing gardens for spring. And now that we are enjoying a taste of the warm days to come things are getting into high gear as our clients all want to have the perfect garden for relaxing and entertaining this summer.

This time of year, with mild temperatures and moist soil, is the ideal time to put plans for your summer garden in place. Planting and preparation done now will reward you many times over when the sun shines and you want the garden to look its best.

Before and After Images of Our Favorite Designs

1 comments Posted by David Andersen at Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Here you can see the dramatic transformations created with these before and after images of a few of our past garden design and build projects.

One project has a series of spectacular canals and waterfalls in a minimalist setting, another an elemental garden and fish pond, there is a contemporary deck with a beautiful bright green water feature back drop, an Edwardian courtyard made modern and a large family garden that is both stunning and functional.

New Contemporary Garden - Just Completed!

0 comments Posted by David Andersen at Friday, March 23, 2012

Check out this recently finished garden complete with waterfeature, garden lighting, topiary, decking and fine cream coloured contemporary sandstone slabs.

The semi-circular deck has been designed using specially machined, tapered hardwood deckboards. This smaller deck is positioned to catch the morning sun...perfect as a breakfast terrace!

The individual topiary standards (photinia 'Red Robin') make an excellent strong statement....each has a stainless steel spike spot uplighter....helping to create drama and atmosphere.

(Planting is complete but needs time to mature)

Sedum Roof: Manchester

0 comments Posted by David Andersen at Monday, January 23, 2012

Sedum is a wonderful option for a green roof being a fairly tough plant that virtually looks after itself.

Some properties of a green (sedum) roof:

a) Helps alleviate flooding by delaying the process of rainwater runoff and so puts less pressure on sewerage systems.

b) Thermal Insulation simply helps create an extra layer and so the room beneath is warmer in winter and kept cooler in summer.

c) Natural habitat for birds insects and animals…they all benefit from a green roof.

d) Aesthetics: it looks good! The only alternative with this scheme was gravel…which intime would have become discoloured with algae. The colours of the sedum roof will change throughout the year providing a truly living roof.

This closeup shows the drainage layer with small pvc cells which hold the rainwater providing a steady supply to the root system.

Antony Gormley "Another Place" Crosby Beach November 13, 2011

0 comments Posted by David Andersen at Monday, November 21, 2011

I was helped enormously by mother nature here. The movement of the sun across the sky on a late November afternoon and the moon doing her job by organising the tide to be way out.
Massive expanse of beach in all directions gives a timeless quality to this dramatic installation.
Ihe individual fugures felt as though they had been here for centuries looking out to the Irish see...waiting waiting.
As a big fan of modern art set in the landscape I feel this has to be one of the best.

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