Choosing a new home
As we prepare for a move, the importance landscaping in our home-buying decisions has become more apparent. When we purchased our current property, the garden played a crucial role in our choice.
Cottage garden
Nearly ten years ago, we moved to Somerset, eager to start a family and launch a new business. Our previous home in Kingston had a garden, but as residents of a top-floor maisonette, accessing it required going downstairs and around the back. While the garden was lovely, its inconvenient access meant it was underutilized. Fortunately, we were close to the beautiful Richmond Park and the scenic Thames views and paths, which compensated for our limited garden use.
When we decided to relocate to the South West to be near family, we initially focused our search on Dorset. We viewed over 20 properties before expanding our search area slightly. That’s when we discovered our current home. We were immediately drawn to the cottage’s charming features, pretty interior, and large, family-friendly garden. The property boasted a patio, summer house, and areas of established planting, including mature trees.
Changes we made
Like many new homeowners, we initially focused on decorating and making small interior renovations before turning our attention to the garden. Our first priority was making the garden dog-proof by adding fencing around the patio to create a safe space for our puppy. Over time, we added a greenhouse, built a wildlife pond, and constructed a raised bed. However, we mostly enjoyed keeping the garden tidy and providing our children with a safe, open space to play. My favourite part of the garden is the patio area, which has a walled garden courtyard feel due to the beautiful stonework of the house and garage. We spent countless hours enjoying barbecues, trampoline fun, and slip-and-slide activities, making the patio a vibrant area filled with pots and hanging baskets that add a pop of colour to the garden.
Major transformation by Greengage
After nine years, we decided to update the patio area, hiring Greengage to transform it into a more modern space. We were thrilled with the results, and even though we’re now moving on, the renovation significantly elevated the property’s appeal for sale, allowing us to enjoy one final summer in a beautiful space.
The new place
Our new home features an incredible garden, though it currently lacks mature trees—a situation we plan to rectify as soon as possible. Instead, the garden includes mature shrubs, a stunning lawn, a fish pond, and several patio areas. Additional features, such as a pizza oven, built-in BBQ, games room, and hot tub, were installed by the previous owner and became major selling points for us as we envisioned enjoying the space with family and friends. The home’s renovation, including a large, light-filled extension with sliding patio doors for easy garden access, further added to its appeal.
One feature that particularly attracted us to the new property is the large gravel driveway. The gravel’s color and natural texture perfectly complement the house, creating a welcoming entrance.
While we’ll be sad to leave behind our beloved cottage garden and the spaces we created, we’re excited about the next phase of our lives and the opportunity to transform another garden that feels even more like home.
Words: Jennie Eastick, Office Manager