Paved Garden In Colchester
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About This Project
This garden has been shortlisted for an award at the 2025 Association Of Professional Landscapers award ceremony. We’d like to thank our clients for allowing the judges to visit and appraise their garden and for speaking honestly about their garden makeover experience.
A paved garden provides a practical all weather surface but it needn’t be boring. This tiny paved garden in Colchester has become a stylish space where our clients can relax, entertain and enjoy being outdoors.
The Client Brief
It’s just twenty five square metres in area but our clients knew that this little piece of Colchester could be a valuable addition to their three storey town house. It proves the view from their office, living room and bedroom windows and they wanted it to become an extension of their living space. However, before being refurbished it was tired, dated and challenging.
Our clients asked us to design a bright, uplifting space where they could enjoy al fresco breakfasts and early evening drinks. They asked for a paved garden which would be easy to manage but they also wanted plenty of plants. Space for outdoor dining for up to six people was on their wish list as well as great views from inside the house.
The Challenges
It’s not always easy to provide interest in a small paved garden but our Katie loves a challenge. This particular space is fully enclosed by walls, fences and the property itself. The back fence is a whopping 4.3 metres high which brings an extra challenge in terms of shade. This garden is apparently in deep shade for most of the winter. However, in summer when the sun is high in the sky, it can become unbearably hot.
The Solution
Katie’s design for this paved garden uses Cream Porcelain Pavers from London Stone. This soft colour is warm in winter, yet cool in summer and has proved to be perfect for this project.
The rear wall is painted black and decorated with strikingly beautiful corten steel screens. Tall and climbing plants contrast wonderfully with the wall to give an uplifting pop of colour.
A living wall creates vertical interest without taking up too much space on the ground. Our clients use theirs as a herb garden where aromatic plants grow at eye (and nose!) level.
Contemporary slimline planters provide a home for carefully selected plants. Katie’s planting plan is all about providing year round interest using plant species that enjoy the microclimate within this very special garden.
Finally, the lighting. Wow. Our landscapers, Holland Landscapes have done an incredible job of installing outdoor lighting to create a relaxing evening ambience in this chic modern paved garden.
Would a paved garden improve your lifestyle and help you to make better use of your garden? Talk to Tapestry Design Studios about a bespoke plan for your plot.
