From Bland to Grand in Blandford: A Garden Makeover Success Story

How an Absent Client and a Trusted Transformation Took Shape...

When it comes to garden makeovers, sometimes the client isn't even around to witness the magic as it unfolds. This was the case with a recent project in Blandford, Dorset, where Greenway Landscaping was entrusted with a newly built garden lacking personality and creativity. 

Throughout the summer of 2024 - soggy, soaking and riddled with rainy days, a remarkable transformation occurred in a rather bland back garden - all while the client travelled abroad.

Let me take you behind the scenes of this remarkable garden transformation where trust and creativity took centre stage. With the clients away, we were free to bring their vision to life from beginning to end, turning a new-build's uninspired space into a luxurious outdoor retreat. 

Hopefully, this blog will bring you valuable insights into how a garden design project can be managed remotely and how clear communication can achieve stunning results. Proof how working with a trusted team can lead to a seamless, stress-free transformation. 

If you're considering an outdoor upgrade or wondering how to tackle a garden project without being hands-on, this post will give you peace of mind that it can be done with stress-free, beautiful results.

From Vision to Reality—Design and Consultation

Starting Point: A Blank Slate Begging for Creativity

This project began with a plain new-build garden, calling for a spark of creativity. The clients contacted us through our Houzz profile and were looking for a trustworthy, experienced landscaping company that could manage a project without them being on site. They were frequently abroad on business, and it was essential for them that we could take instruction and offer solutions remotely. Through WhatsApp and email, the process was easy, if not without its few challenges.

Mood Boards to Get Started

Mood boards are a powerful tool for capturing the aesthetic vision of a project. They combine colours, textures, and materials into one cohesive visual presentation, allowing clients to get a clear sense of the overall style and atmosphere we aim to create.

Why Mood Boards Are Essential for Designing a Cohesive Garden



• Visual Inspiration: Clients can instantly see how different elements, such as materials and plant choices, complement each other.
  
  
• Quick Feedback Loop: Clients can quickly approve or request changes to design ideas, ensuring they are fully involved in the creative process.
  
  
• Easier Decision-Making: Seeing various options together helps clients confidently choose their preferred styles and materials.
  
  
• Alignment of Vision: Ensures the design direction reflects the client's taste and goals, avoiding costly adjustments later.

"Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent." — Joe Sparano.

2D Architectural Plans

2D plans provide a technical view of the garden layout, helping clients understand the structure and flow of the space. These plans offer precise measurements and show the positioning of critical elements like patios, seating areas, and planting zones.

Why 2D Plans Are Key to a Seamless Garden Transformation

• Spatial Awareness: Clients can see how different features fit together, ensuring the space is functional and practical.

• Precise Visualisation: Gives a clear view of the garden's layout, including dimensions and scale, helping clients to understand how much space is allocated to each element.

• Early Issue Detection: Identifies potential layout issues, like overcrowding or poor use of space, before work begins.

• Client Confidence: Having a plan in hand reassures clients that the project is structured and progressing towards their desired outcome.

• Easy Adjustments: Changes can be made on paper before any physical work begins, saving time and reducing unexpected costs.

The Power of 3D Animation

3D design videos bring a project to life by offering a realistic, immersive view of the finished garden. These walkthroughs allow clients to experience the final design as if they were already standing in the space, providing an invaluable tool for understanding the garden's flow, atmosphere, and overall impact.

A Few Design Tweaks

The client fell in love with the design, but seeing it in 3D inspired them to tweak a few elements. The pergola size increased from 6m x 3m to 4m x 4m, which led to a redesign of the patio, widening it by a metre. We embraced the redesign, showing off how adaptable Greenway is, and quickly whipped up another 2D design for review.

This 3D render video walkthrough was the next step in the visualisation process and was an invaluable tool in helping to shape the final design. Initially requested before a series of critical changes, the walkthrough highlighted several areas that needed adjustment. It was this video that sealed the decision on getting a square pergola and making the decision to upgrade the patio tiles to porcelain. The decision was also made to flatten the sleepers in front of the bar and lay slabs on top so the whole side of the wall could also be used for sitting on.

After reviewing the video, the clients realised they wanted a covered walkway from the kitchen door to the garage, especially helpful in bad weather. The wider pergola (now 4x4m) meant the bar could be two semi-circles to make it more social.

Why 3D Design Videos Are a Game-Changer for Your Garden Project

• Immersive Visualisation: Clients can virtually walk through their garden and see how all elements—plants, furniture, hardscaping—come together in real-time.

• Enhanced Understanding: Provides a far more transparent view of the garden's appearance than 2D plans, making it easier for clients to grasp the design's potential.

• Greater Confidence: Allows clients to feel more confident about their choices, as they can see precisely how their garden will appear once completed, eliminating guesswork.

• Design Refinement: Clients can spot areas they may want to adjust or tweak before construction begins, avoiding expensive changes later in the process.

• Remote Project Advantage: Ideal for clients who cannot visit the site, as they can fully visualise the finished garden from anywhere in the world.

• Wow Factor: 3D walkthroughs offer an impressive, professional way to showcase the final design, building excitement and trust in the project.

3D Renders - A Sneak Peak into the Future

3D render garden designs are a game-changer when it comes to planning your outdoor space. They offer a realistic, lifelike view of how the final design will look, giving you the ability to visualise everything before a single plant is placed or stone is laid. It’s like a sneak peek into your garden’s future, allowing you to walk through the space virtually, see how different elements come together, and make any tweaks before committing to the build.

These designs are especially helpful for spotting potential issues, rethinking layouts, or adding those extra finishing touches—like moving a bench for a better view, or adjusting plant placements for maximum impact. They take the guesswork out of the process, giving you confidence that the finished result will match your vision. Plus, it’s a great way to stay involved in the project, even if you're halfway around the world!

When we realised that the wider pergola and therefore wider patio would cut off the wrap around of grass, this now smaller and awkward space became a problem. We discussed some options with the client and they requested some 3D renders to help them see what we had in mind.

This is what we came up with...

And this is the reality... it's coming on nicely and very nearly finished here.

Overcoming the Unexpected—Challenges in Construction

With the client trusting us completely, they handed over the keys so we could access the property in their absence. We only ever entered to access utilities on a handful of times. (We always install a Portaloo on site for the landscaping team.)

What could go wrong? Well, a few things did...

Surprise Beneath the Surface

On day one, we hit a major snag—drainage ditches filled with building rubble from the property developers. Clearing this was no small task, but once done, we began the grand dig-out for the patio foundation.

Fencing Upgrade: From Functional to Fabulous

Another challenge we faced was the original fencing, which, while functional, wasn't enhancing the overall garden aesthetic. Though not a significant fault of the build, the essential fencing didn't complement the transformation we worked toward.

After discussing the potential impact on the garden's appearance, we impressed upon the client that an investment into fencing was a good move.

The difference was remarkable—this elegant fencing provided a modern touch. It brought the garden to life, tying together the design elements and giving the space a much-needed boost in sophistication. The new fencing became the perfect backdrop, making the plants, seating areas, and hardscaping pop in a way that completely transformed the garden's feel.

With the new Larchwood fencing, the garden's transformation was coming to life. The fencing set the stage, but the other design elements truly gave the space its wow factor. Each feature elevated the garden's style and functionality, from the expanded patio and sleek outdoor kitchen to the custom-built oak sleeper benches and pergola. These thoughtful additions turned the space into a luxurious retreat that balanced beauty with practicality.

As you'd expect with any sizable project, there was always a challenge or two. Here are a few of the ones we dealt with during the project build while the client was away:

• Clearing Out Raised Planters: The existing raised planters were overrun with dead plants and weeds, so we gave them a thorough clean-up to prepare for the new design.

• Fixing a Water Tap Leak: A leaky water tap was discovered during the build, which we fixed as part of the process to prevent any further issues.

• Mowing the Lawn: While the client was away, we mowed the lawn at least three times to keep it in good condition.

• Watering & Feeding New Plants: During rare hot spells over the summer, we made sure the newly planted shrubs, grasses, and plants were watered regularly, ensuring they settled in well.

• Entrance Gate Upgrade: The original entrance gate didn’t match the sleek Venetian fencing, so we designed and installed a bespoke gate and fence at the entrance free of charge to maintain a cohesive look.

• Replacing Old Patio Slabs: We removed the old patio slabs at the front entrance and replaced them with matching porcelain tiles to complete the wrap-around patio design.

• Planting Borders at the Front: To keep the aesthetic seamless, we planted up the borders with rocks and grasses, creating a harmonious flow as you enter the property and walk into the rear garden.

• Re-gravelling the Courtyard Driveway: The developers had only laid a thin layer of gravel, so we re-gravelled the entire courtyard driveway, covering the exposed plastic foundations.

• Removing Unsightly Fencing: We removed some unattractive fencing down the side of the courtyard driveway to enhance the overall look.

• Clearing Weeds Behind the Fence: To ensure an unobstructed view, we cut down nettles and weeds growing behind the newly installed fence.

• Cleaning and Sealing Porcelain Tiles: As autumn leaves started to stain the porcelain tiles, we took care of cleaning and sealing them to preserve their fresh look.

• Pizza Oven Replacement: The original pizza oven delivered was too large for the space, so we arranged for a replacement that fit perfectly within the outdoor kitchen setup.



Each of these issues was handled seamlessly as part of our commitment to maintaining the highest standard, ensuring the project ran smoothly, even with the client away.

Now, let's explore the standout features that made this project exceptional.

The Luxury Finishing Touches—The Wow Factor

Oak sleeper flower borders and a luxurious bespoke brick BBQ were the icing on the cake for this garden retreat. The BBQ area was bespokely built to match the style of the house's bricks. We added top-notch features like a pizza oven, fridge and a gas-powered luxury firepit table, making the whole space an entertainer's dream. The reclaimed brick of the outdoor kitchen was also repeated in the aquascape seating to blend the zones. 

From Awkward Patch to Stunning Feature

This before-and-after comparison showcases the transformation of an awkward space left after resizing the patio. The "Before" image highlights the challenge of a narrow, grassy strip that was difficult to maintain and looked out of place beside the outdoor seating area. In the "After" images, the space has been beautifully reimagined with an aquascape, rockery, and stepping stones. Ornamental grasses and decorative stones now add texture and movement, creating a tranquil, eye-catching focal point that seamlessly integrates with the overall garden design. 

Balancing the Elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water in Garden Design

In this garden, the elements of fire, earth, and air are thoughtfully integrated, each playing a crucial role in creating a harmonious, balanced outdoor space. The fire pit adds warmth and a gathering point, while the rich, freshly mulched borders and topsoil anchor the design with the grounding element of earth. The airflow, from the breeze through the pergola to the gentle rustle of ornamental grasses, breathes life into the garden.

But one essential element remained: water.

Adding the aquascape and pondless waterfall became the final piece to complete the balance. With its soothing, flowing energy, water contrasts with the other elements. Here's why water was vital to the makeup of the whole design:

• Tranquillity and Calm: The soft trickling sound of the waterfall adds a calming atmosphere, balancing the heat and vibrancy of the fire pit. It transforms the garden into a place of peace and relaxation, helping to create a retreat-like feel.

• Movement and Life: Just as the wind brings movement to the grasses, the flowing water adds motion to the space, keeping the garden dynamic and alive. It becomes a focal point that draws the eye and offers a sense of flow connecting different garden areas.

• Reflection and Balance: Water symbolises reflection, both literally and metaphorically. The pondless waterfall reflects the surrounding elements—fire, earth, and air—while enhancing the design's sense of balance. The contrast between the flowing water and the more solid aspects of stone and soil creates harmony.

By incorporating the element of water through the aquascape, the garden's design becomes a fully balanced composition where all the natural elements—fire, earth, air, and water—work together to create a stunning and serene outdoor space.

Transform Challenges into Opportunities:

Let's Bring Your Garden to Life

Every garden has its quirks—awkward corners, design shifts, or those surprise issues that pop up when you think everything's going smoothly.

But here's the thing: those little hiccups often lead to the most stunning results.

Like we've done time and again, turning those unexpected moments into standout features can make all the difference.

So what's at the heart of a cracking garden design?

Communication.

We're good listeners and know that checking in with you throughout the process is the key to creating something extraordinary.

Here's why keeping the conversation going with your landscaper is a smart move:

• Spot New Possibilities: What looks great on paper can feel different on the ground. A quick chat can unlock ideas you might not have thought of.
• Boost Functionality: A few intelligent tweaks can make your garden more practical and fun as your lifestyle evolves.
• Add the Wow Factor: Why settle for ordinary? Bold features and personal touches can elevate your garden from "nice" to "wow."
• Maximise Your Budget: We're all about getting the most bang for your buck. Let us help you invest in smart upgrades that make a real difference.
• See Before You Commit: Want peace of mind? We can create a 2D plan so you can visualise those changes before they're set in stone.

Ready to turn your garden ideas into reality?
Whether you want advice, a fresh perspective, or the full works, we're here to listen and help.

Fill out the form below for a free consultation and site visit, or give us a call
—let's chat and get your garden plans rolling.

Let's start making plans - ready for next summer!

Call us at 01202 022246

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