An impressive multi-level project by Living Landscapes & Lifetime Lawns Ltd used our Travertine porcelain outdoor tiles. We take a look at how the paving unites the garden.
What the Customer Wanted
The customers wanted the dimensions and levels of the garden to stay the same and had employed an architect to design the space. Materials were to be replaced with superior products.
They spend much of their time outside and wanted products to fit an inspiring scheme. So Wayne Freer-Ash, MD of Living Landscapes, discussed their ideas and needs in depth. He has 36 years' experience and wowed his clients with ideas and his confidence in the products he showcased.
In a design for a large sloping garden, the different design elements could have been very different. But here, the customers wanted a clean and tidy finish, and materials that would be easy to maintain and stand the test of time. Wayne provided them with various London Stone samples, to ensure that the products chosen were the best for the job. This led them to several modern man-made products, including porcelain and composite decking.
The Materials
The scheme, extending over several levels, uses Travertine Dark Porcelain Paving from our Budget range of porcelain, Vintage Grey DesignClad, and Rustic Slate Cladding.
Landscaped Levels
The top level features Trex composite decking, with sun loungers for relaxing and soaking up the sun. This is paired with an area paved in our Travertine Porcelain. The contrasting materials differentiate the areas for relaxing and dining, while the choice of matching rattan furniture maintains a link between the two. Moving down the stairs, you come to the outdoor cooking facilities.
On the second level decking surrounds the hot tub, creating a free-drying space that won't be made slippery by water. The decking also breaks up the paving and matches the top level to create a cohesive scheme. The porcelain steps were given a 3-4 inch overhang. This not only enhances the design, but indicates the upcoming change in levels, adding an extra element of safety. They also match the stepping stones, set in the gravel to add textural interest.
Attention to Detail
Porcelain cladding was a new concept to the customers but the easy maintenance qualities and durability of the product immediately won them over. Vintage Grey Premium DesignClad was used on the walls around the hot tub, providing a practical, splash-proof surface that also tones well with the adjacent materials.
Lighting was fitted to the underside of the bullnose steps. Placing it here not only makes it safer to use the garden after dark, but does so with elegance.
It can be a headache to know how to accommodate utilitarian items like wheelie bins in a garden design. Wayne cleverly tucked a hidden bin store into the corner of the steps next to the house, giving the homeowners easy access. Our Rustic Slate stone wall cladding adds textural and tonal interest.
Setbacks in the build
The biggest problem faced by the team was the quality of the ground. When this property was first built, a lot of pallets, rubble and other waste materials were used to compact the sandy soil. This meant that the team had problems with the soil not compacting correctly. Walls collapsed as they built them and the team found themselves forced to shift 10 tonnes of soil and waste materials by hand. Although this was an unexpected setback, the team overcame this to produce the extraordinary results you see.
Find more inspiring ideas, check out ideas for patios as seen at RHS shows or see more inspiring patio images on on our product pages.
Post updated: November 2023
