LuxDeco

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8 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas

From tailored rooftops to countryside retreats here are some of our favourite UK gardens

Joanne Quinn - Senior Interior Designer at LuxDeco Studio
By Joanne Quinn, Senior Interior Designer

Enjoying the British summer time, though it may seem fleeting, is one of the many joys of this country. Admired across the world, the UK’s approach to gardens possesses a unique sensibility of informality, authenticity and just a touch of wildness.

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Often not too groomed, the British garden embodies softness and elegance without ever appearing overdone. Of course with that being said, no two gardens are ever the same so whether you prefer a quintessential landscape or are partial to a more tailored rooftop space, here are some UK garden ideas ready for the summer season ahead.

9 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Tranquil Back Garden Design

A modern take on the secret garden, this tranquil back garden is as intimate as it is peaceful. The perfect space to relax, the garden has a dining area, a private reading space and a cascading water feature.

Bright cream stone offers a light contrast with the wealth of foliage and the lofty tree canopy that covers the garden creating a floor of picturesque dappled light.

Wicker chairs and a round teak dining table reflect the natural feel of the space. Keeping other furniture and decoration to a minimum, the Todhunter Earle-designed garden shows how the beauty of a garden belongs to the plants it holds.

13 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Katharine Pooley’s Sunny UK Garden Design

Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, the leafy estate attached to this Grade II listed barn conversion is the epitome of country living done right.

Originally built in the 17th century, this property suited a traditional feeling for its garden but required a modern functionality. LuxDeco 100 designer Katharine Pooley achieved the client’s brief of a space perfect for hosting by installing a pool and tennis court.

Emulate this country estate with a manicured lawn, wicker garden furniture and terracotta-planted olive trees for an added touch of texture.

13 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Small Garden Idea For London Terraces

When you combine quintessential British style with a terrace garden, you hope it will turn out something close to this. With its olive trees and bare brick walls, this space feels like the true meaning of a city escape.

Keeping the colour palette to a refined, blue, white and a touch of natural green, Katharine Pooley has created a classic space that looks as tasteful now as it will in twenty years.

Intricate metal work forms the frame for the furniture and ties the wall lamp into the space, whilst layered cushions in varying patterns act as the back rest to the bench. This look is the perfect small garden idea for a classic feel.

13 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Elegant Central London Garden

“A good flow from inside to outside and vice versa is important across all our projects” notes Banda’s founder Edo Mapelli Mozzi. “In this Notting Hill apartment, the properties overlook a garden square to the front and lead out onto a spacious terrace to the rear. Double doors lead directly out to a large terrace dressed with generous planting and foliage and attractive garden furniture. The two sculptures are by notable sculptor David Williams-Ellis, who is renowned for his incredible work with bronze and creating movement through his pieces.”

Layering the flower beds with silver birch, ferns and rosemary, all the colour in this garden comes from the plants. Keeping other shades to a minimum, this neutral space feels elegant and timeless.

Low lying sofas create plenty of comfortable seating to enjoy the sunshine, whilst the metal bench offers a nod to a traditional city park. Enjoy a similar feel in your space with a cluster or dynamic coffee tables and neutral furniture.

13 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Cosy Outdoor Fireplace Design

Under some very British-appropriate shelter, this cosy outdoor area is centred around a built-in fireplace. Flanked on either side by a triptych of log stores (a delight for the texture lovers), this space mimics a living room whilst enjoying all the atmosphere of an outdoor space.

Continuing the symmetrical design, two light grey sofas and two armchairs in the same fabric face each other. Layered with a contrasting blanket and an abundant collection of cushions, this area has a smart, clean look but still offers undeniable comfort.

13 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Katharine Pooley’s Fresh London Roof Garden

For this fresh London roof garden, Katharine Pooley has created a space perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Tying the large space together, Pooley has chosen a warm orange-toned wood for both the dining chairs and the living area. Complete with a TV and fire pit, this open-air space will get plenty of use.

Brought to life with a pretty summer tablescape of table linens and floral arrangements, the dining table perfectly complements the otherwise neutral toned garden. Proof that a paired-back colour palette works perfectly with just about any colour accessories.

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London Rooftop Terrace with Dining and Relaxing Spaces

An area for stylish outdoor dining is essential for a Summer spent outdoors. This terrace has been divided into two distinct zones, one for dining and the other for relaxing. By segmenting the patio space the area appears larger and allows for a more sophisticated feel.

Ensuring that the two spaces, though distinct, look cohesive, the coffee table and dining table mimic one another. To surround the marble dining table, dark dining chairs create some contrast with the warm-toned flooring.

Create a segmented layout on your own terrace with small planted hedging and numerous seating areas.

12 Summer-Ready UK Garden Ideas | LuxDeco.com Style Guide
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Tranquil Cottage Garden Idea with Wicker Dining Set

"Whether we are designing an interior or an outdoor seating area, we always use nature as a point of inspiration" notes founder and creative director Emma Sims Hilditch. "I love to use rattan chairs decorated with colourful cushions as they work perfectly with natural surroundings making the garden almost feel like part of the landscape." "Generally, when painting the exterior doors and windows of a property that faces on to the garden, we advise being mindful to choose shades that don’t jar with the natural surroundings. Farrow and Ball’s Pigeon is a great option here."

Header Image: Katharine Pooley

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