About Me
I have always been passionate about design; I studied art and design for 5 years culminating in a BA Hons in design at Kingston-upon-Thames University in 1989. My training as a designer gives me an understanding of core principles of design, structure and aesthetics as well as the of the architectural and historical context of a property and its surrounding landscape. I have been involved with engineering and structural build projects of one sort of another for my entire life. I also occasionally lecture in garden design subjects such as designing for shade and historical garden design.
I offer a design-led approach grounded in a fundamental understanding of the engineering practicalities of the site.
How I Work
I believe in a truly collaborative approach with my clients. I work with the client to identify what inspires and moves them and create my designs to bring this to life.
The first step is to carefully plan a unique structure so that the garden will fulfil all of the client’s requirements on how they and their friends & family wish to use the garden.
With decades of experience of garden construction, I complete some projects as a hands-on design and build, with a team of labourers and craftsmen on call as required. For other assignments, I project manage architects, landscapers and specialists to oversee the delivery of the design.
My Gardens
My projects range from urban and suburban gardens through to character gardens for character properties, large landscape projects, visitor destinations and gardens for buildings of historic importance. I work with clients from all over the country but predominantly in South Manchester and Cheshire.
Many of my projects incorporate changes in level to create privacy and intimacy; ensuring that one feels “in the garden” surrounded by greenery and nature rather than “on the garden”, looking across a flat landscape.
My own garden has featured as the inspirational garden on television for Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden one-off NHS special and on BBC1s Instant Gardener. I open my own garden for charity for the National Gardening Scheme and as part of the local Didsbury Open Gardens each year. My designs have also featured in some of the UK’s biggest selling gardening magazines as well as regional publications such as Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life.
Design Philosophy
I believe that a garden should be man and nature in perfect harmony. I believe that everyone should aim for their dream garden; “like” is not enough when you can love it. I believe in working with harmony with the existing landscape and will incorporate views and vistas, borrowing from the landscape but ensuring that you take control of your garden boundaries.
My design experience has taught me that there is a sweet spot between formal and informal, chaos and rigidity, old and new, familiar and unfamiliar, sun and shade, simple and complex, energy and tranquillity. That spot is different for us all of course but if you find a designer whose work you love then you will be starting in the right place to create your own paradise.
Contact Me
Please get in contact to discuss how we can create your dream garden.
Call, email or fill in the contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
I’d be delighted to visit you at your garden, show you round my own garden or arrange to meet by appointment at some of my other completed projects.
