The two sets of clients are neighbours whose children play together. They each wanted a private garden with an area shared between the gardens for the children to play. The gardens must be able to be converted back into two separate gardens.

The left hand garden had a decked terrace to remain and wanted to reuse the paving in the garden due to budget. I rotated the paving to form diamond shapes which allowed the planting to break up the rectangular space. A triangular arbour was placed amongst the fragrant plants to catch the afternoon sun. The adult garden is separated from the play area at the end by a line of descending wooden poles which give privacy and protection to the plants.

The right hand garden is on three levels with a York stone terrace to remain. The middle level was brightened by using a diamond shaped lawn surrounded by light coloured gravel. The eye is drawn to a wooden arbour flanked by Versailles planters containing standard box trees. The arbour and the geometric lines of the borders mask the existing raised bed at the end, which is incorporated into the play area.

The play area is designed for children of all ages. From a swing to a climbing frame to a tranquil willow tepee, a place for play and intrigue.