Sidlesham
This converted barn originally had three separate garden areas; a courtyard with a lawn adjacent to the house, a larger lawn area and a pool. Mark’s design goals were to connect these three spaces whilst maintaining their individual character, and to create a sense of journey that leads you through them.
A series of circular arbours and gravel pathway leads onto the next lawn area, ending at the pool, inviting the viewer to travel through the garden and introducing a sculptural focal point visible from the house. A change in planting style defines this area, moving into a brightly coloured and tropical scheme with mixed banana plants, Cotinus Grace and Edgeworthia. The lawn provides ample play space for children, with a slatted screen incorporated into the hedge giving glimpses of the pool beyond.
The pool is surrounded by beautiful porcelain paving, breaking off into dining and sunbathing spots, flanked by a state of the art outdoor kitchen and custom pool house. The modern jungle-inspired planting continues with impressive tree ferns, Echiums, Trachycarpus fortunei, Persicaria Purple Fantasy and showstopping Cannas.
Starting at the entrance of the home, the courtyard and lawn complement the traditional agricultural feel of the barn. Beds overflowing with roses and cottage planting line the perimeter and surround a paved family dining area. Corten steel sculptural panels are mounted on the barn wall with cut-out circular windows that reveal different textures from its history. Part of the original garden wall was removed to open up views into the larger lawn and pool beyond.