Taking the leap to redesign your outdoor space can feel equal parts exciting and daunting. You know you want a space that can actually be used (rather than the dumping ground it’s become). You know you want to sit outside and soak in nature, sipping tea and dreaming. You know that you need a space to entertain. An extension of your home. A garden that represents you, your personality and aspirations.
Meanwhile it needs to support local wildlife, and increase your house value – quite a lot for one space! So it’s no wonder the mind boggles and you get confused.
We aim to simplify all of that. Creating one design that meets all of your objectives.
At Clare Nash Architecture, we believe in designing for life, health, and joy – creating energy-efficient, inspirational spaces that make the outside of your house just as beautiful and sustainable as the inside.
I believe that your garden should be a piece of art that you can step into. It will change with the seasons, providing a lovely outlook from all of your windows. It’s definitely not just for the summer! It will tempt you out in your bare feet with a morning coffee, or a sparkling something in the evening sun.
Whether your vision is contemporary or more traditional, we get excited and can’t wait to get started! Here is a look at how our garden design consultation works step-by-step, and how our friendly team collaborates with you to transform inspiration into reality.
Step 1: Getting to Know You, Your Aims & Budget
Before drawing a single line, we start by understanding how you want to live outdoors. Whether you’re working with a blank canvas on a new build, converting a historic barn, or looking to transform an existing garden, we kick off with a conversation.
Firstly, we come out to meet you and discuss your overall aims and budget. During this visit, we remove the guesswork by asking good questions about design themes, how much maintenance you want to do, and your lifestyle preferences:
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How you want to use the space, whether that’s a tranquil retreat to sit and listen to bird song, a productive space for homegrown veg, or an entertaining zone for family gatherings.
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Your maintenance preferences, designing spaces that suit your lifestyle – whether you want ultra low-maintenance perennial borders or dedicated beds to potter in.
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The seamless connection between your home and garden, making sure natural light, seasonal views, and movement flow effortlessly between inside and out. Explore our dedicated Your New Garden page to see how we blend home and landscape design.
Following our visit, we will come back to you with likely build costs, fees, and details on any permissions required (if any). When you decide to go ahead, we would ask you to send us images you like to help guide our initial direction!
Step 2: Site Survey & Biodiversity Assessment
Once you decide to move forward, we come and survey your garden as it is. Every patch of land has its own unique microclimate, soil composition, and existing ecosystem.
We analyse:
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Sun orientation, light and shade throughout the day, and soil type – so that we specify the correct plants for those exact areas.
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Existing trees, structural elements, and boundaries.
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Opportunities to boost biodiversity, such as integrating native hedging, habitat-rich structures, or wildlife corridors.
Learn more about our sustainable approach to structural garden elements on our Garden Landscaping page.
Step 3: Garden Layout & Concept Planning
This is my absolute favourite part! Sometimes we start from nothing at all – a completely blank canvas like a new-build garden. Other times there are existing features such as mature trees that are desirable and need to be incorporated into the design. Either way, this is pure fun for us!
We translate your ideas into a clear, cohesive spatial plan and key 3D views of your garden so that you can easily visualise how everything will look and feel. Then we tweak and adapt the design according to your feedback and what is practically possible, making sure you feel involved without feeling overwhelmed by technical details.
Step 4: Detailed Planting, Specifications & Builder Support
Once the design is finalised, we go into the detail to help with the build. Planting isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating year-round interest, seasonal beauty from every window, and a rich habitat for local wildlife.
Our detailed strategy includes:
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Specific planting plans and schedules so that contractors can see exact plant types and quantities and price accordingly.
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Choosing climate-resilient, pollinator-friendly perennials, flowering herbs, and native species tailored specifically to your soil type.
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Specifying sustainable, breathable, or reclaimed hard landscaping materials that age beautifully without high embodied energy or harming local drainage.
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Recommending and helping you choose trusted landscapers and gardeners to build and plant up the garden for you.
Ready to Start Your Garden Journey?
Whether you are looking for a standalone garden transformation or a holistic home-and-landscape masterplan, my goal is to create a living work of art – a nourishing, eco-friendly space that lifts your soul and stands the test of time.
Just contact us to get started or sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch.