Every well-designed garden starts with a master vision. We are constantly asking and answering who, what, when, where, and why. When we’re working towards a client’s vision for their garden, we look at 4 main pieces: context, function, elements, and aesthetic/style. These give us an outline to work from and inform the design from concept sketches to final plans to installation and beyond.
Context
Context provides the boundaries of the design. This includes the location, care & maintenance, budget, existing elements, and surroundings of a property. Both large and small properties will have their own unique constraints which, when paired with a budget, provides the base of the design and point for us to jump off from. Assessing your current space and being realistic about how much time & money you want to dedicate to things like maintenance will provide key context.
Function
This is where we get into the nitty gritty. How does and will the space work and for who? Likely the space is not working as-is so how do we transform it to work for everyone that will be using it? A few questions we use often are: How will the space be used? What connection points need to be made? What views need to be managed either by restricting or enhancing? How many people will be using the space? What are their needs?
Gardens are not stagnant- what do you want now and how will it or can it grow with you to achieve your future needs as well. This can take into account: kids maturing, aging adults, transitions in life like starting a family, retiring, or building a career. Each season of life will have different demands, and a garden can be a space that supports those needs while also being something that transitions and grows as the needs of the garden owner change. Segmenting the garden can make the space dynamic and versatile for everyone that uses it therefore enhancing its overall function.
Elements
These specifics are important to bring a design to life. These can range from patios & decks to pergolas & arbors to edible gardens & artwork and everything in between. A designer’s relationship between collaborators, vendors, & suppliers can be especially helpful when it comes to elements of a garden.
Aesthetic / Style
This piece focuses on the looks of the space. What style fits the context of the home and the local environment? What kind of style do you have or prefer? Pinterest boards are a great place to brainstorm your style. As designers we’re able to look at your Pinterest board and read between the lines to figure out what it is you are looking to get from your garden. For example, a client’s Pinterest board may include a lot of modern gardens, but they say they don’t like modern. Maybe it’s not the modern that they find appealing but the simplicity and order. So even if it’s difficult to put your style into words, pictures really are worth a thousand words in this case. It’s a great source of inspiration and you can create a wish list of sorts for you and your designer to work with.
Vision in The Design Stage
Narrowing down a vision from the above information can feel daunting which is where the concept stage comes into play. We roughly sketch out several concept options which help us work through different ideas, shapes, materials, and arrangements. All of these sketches get analyzed, edited, and formed into 2 fully fleshed out concept designs. Throughout this entire process, we are always referring back to the context, function, elements, and aesthetic of the client and garden. These give us checkpoints and filters to keep us on track. We work with our clients to arrive at one final layout that is then used to create the planting plan and lighting plan. When we’re designing, we also make sure there is a bit of a fudge factor built-in so that things can be tweaked during the installation as needed. Having a final plan that includes hardscaping, plants, lighting, and a full materials list ensures that everything will fit seamlessly so the installation goes as smoothly as possible.
Vision in The Installation Stage
The vision of a garden doesn’t stop after the design is complete. The vision will get carried into and through the entire installation of a garden, as well. We are always referring to the original vision to help shape and enhance the garden. Did something work on paper but now that it’s in the landscape, it no longer fits with the vision? Despite what many think, there is still room to edit through the installation of a garden. Things still aren’t quite set in stone. This is why a little fudge factor is important to keep in mind during the design stage due to any discrepancy in measurements or angles. This is especially important in smaller spaces with rigid materials. As the space gets bigger, the need for a fudge factor isn’t quite as important.
Use of the Garden
As the garden gets used through the years, the original vision is still very much at play. The only constant in life is change and that goes for our gardens as well. Maybe you found the perfect decorative pot to add to that open corner on the patio or maybe the swing set has been outgrown and now you have an open area for vegetable gardening. A clear and strong vision will continue to serve you and your garden well beyond the first days, months, and years of use.
If you’re struggling with finding a vision for your garden or if you have a clear vision but not sure how to implement it, we would love to help! Please feel free to reach out or fill out our questionnaire to get started.
~Kryssie & Colleen
