Contemporary Garden Design with Global Influences | Kirman Design
This richly planted contemporary garden was designed as a series of distinct but connected spaces for dining, relaxing and entertaining. Changes in level are used to create a sense of journey through the garden, with pale paved routes leading between an intimate seating terrace and a raised outdoor dining area.
A bold black timber pergola gives the dining terrace height, enclosure and architectural presence. Intricately patterned screens introduce privacy while casting decorative shadows across the space. Colourful textiles, lanterns and carefully chosen accessories bring warmth and personality to the restrained palette of dark timber, pale paving and weathered steel.
The generous planting creates an immersive, almost woodland atmosphere. Multi-stem trees, ferns and shade-tolerant foliage soften the garden’s strong geometry, while contrasting leaf shapes, seasonal colour and layered planting provide interest throughout the day. A bespoke metal world map forms one of several personal details incorporated discreetly into the design.
As evening falls, the garden takes on a completely different character. Carefully positioned lighting highlights trees and planting, illuminates the patterned screens and casts intricate pools of light across the paving. The result is a secluded and highly individual garden that feels inviting by day and wonderfully atmospheric after dark.
A Contemporary Garden with Global Influences
The Brief:
The brief was to create an elegant and atmospheric garden that feels like a natural extension of the home, drawing on its subtle Middle and Far Eastern influences.
The space needed to be both versatile and intimate, providing dappled shade throughout the day and accommodating outdoor dining, working and relaxed entertaining for up to four people. By evening, the garden was to transform into an inviting, atmospheric destination — a space designed for entertaining and enjoying long, relaxed evenings outdoors.
The design also needed to sensitively address areas of bog planting, incorporating them as an integral part of the overall scheme rather than treating them as problem areas. A dedicated, secluded seat was also introduced to create a quiet retreat for one — the perfect spot to sit, read and enjoy the garden.
The Garden:
This intimate garden was designed as an atmospheric extension of the home, drawing on its Middle and Far Eastern influences to create a space that feels both contemporary and exotic.
A strong architectural framework of dark timber provides structure and enclosure, with a series of pergolas creating rhythm, height and dappled shade throughout the day. Intricately patterned screens introduce another layer of detail, filtering sunlight and creating ever-changing patterns of light and shadow across the garden.
The garden was designed to accommodate different ways of living outdoors - from dining and entertaining with friends to working quietly during the day. A secluded individual seat is tucked amongst the planting, creating a private retreat for reading and enjoying the surrounding garden.
The planting brings softness and depth to the strong architectural lines. Layers of foliage, contrasting textures and seasonal colour create a lush, immersive setting, while areas of naturally damp ground have been embraced through carefully selected bog-loving plants and integrated into the wider scheme.
As evening falls, the garden takes on an entirely different character. Carefully positioned lighting illuminates the planting, trees and architectural elements, while decorative lanterns cast intricate patterns across the pale paving. The perforated pergola roof and screens become glowing focal points, transforming the garden into an intimate and theatrical setting for entertaining after dark.
Designed to be experienced from morning through to night, the garden changes character as the light fades. By day, filtered sunlight moves through the pergola and foliage; by night, carefully choreographed lighting reveals layers of planting, pattern and texture. What began as a challenging, shaded space has become an intimate garden with its own distinct atmosphere — a secluded retreat by day and a magical setting for entertaining after dark.