TRANQUILLITY
AWAITS WE’RE ALL EXPECTING TO HAVE MORE STAYCATIONS THIS YEAR, SO NOW IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR GARDEN TO WORK FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Marc Piechocki, Director of Landscape Design firm I-Echo and BITA member, spots the latest trends for your garden this year
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or many people this past 12 months, their garden has been functioning as a holiday destination. With staycations being thrust upon us, gardens have become even more important for families as a place to relax and decompress, but also as a place to socialise and build on relationships – whether with members of the household, neighbours, or a few friends. The garden functions as an oasis surrounding your home and transporting your mind away from the dayto-day humdrum. It’s become the view from your new office window, the place for lazy lunches, and where the family goes to get some fresh air and a bit of space. Of course, those that have invested in their gardens over the years with time and care (and yes, money) will probably have a better view than those who haven’t; bare ground and struggling flower beds can be more of a source of consternation than relaxation. But now most of us are experiencing free time at the weekends, and we can plan while looking out of our new office windows; there has never been a better time to invest in your garden. Making the garden an extension of your home Styling in gardens has had a gradual shift over the last 6 years, and most now combine traditional and contemporary elements of garden design to interesting results. Clean contemporary lines blend with traditional elements, including more rustic and natural materials and planting styles. A stunning trend that we have seen is combining modern porcelain for paving in conjunction with raw oak pergolas. The result provides a beautiful example of how crisp, sharp edges can combine with warmer natural materials, resulting in a modern, yet relaxing space. In the same vein, people are also incorporating natural stone cladding with crisp modern render, resulting in a similar and just as delightful space. One of the biggest changes to gardens in recent years, is the increasing trend for people to want to use them almost as an extension of the home. They require absolute escapism, tranquillity, and luxury, whilst having all the comforts of home. These carefully thought-out places function on multiple levels, being a place of relaxation, family space, entertainment, dining and more. Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather around the British Isles, it is also becoming essential in many homes that gardens functions in any weather, and at any time of day.
