The Brief
Set within the grounds of a beautifully converted barn in Northampton, this compact garden was designed to make every inch count. The clients wanted a highly functional outdoor space that reflected their contemporary lifestyle – somewhere to cook, dine, relax, and entertain throughout the year. The vision was for a series of intimate outdoor rooms, each with its own character and purpose, yet unified by a sense of flow and harmony. The result needed to feel effortless and refined, offering beauty and practicality in equal measure.
Design & Planting
The design is built around the idea of connected spaces that extend the home beyond its walls. Strong linear lines guide the eye through the garden, subtly defining zones for dining, lounging, and entertaining, while maintaining a cohesive visual rhythm throughout. A balanced palette of materials gives each area its own atmosphere yet keeps the design grounded and continuous.
Planting was chosen with restraint and precision to complement the structured layout rather than compete with it. Tightly trimmed box hedging creates crisp geometry, framing the space and leading the gaze towards a central Amelanchier tree, a graceful focal point that softens the surrounding architecture. Perfectly pruned Taxus baccata balls in fibreglass planters add height and evergreen formality, while the understated planting palette allows the quality of the hard landscaping and materials to shine.
Considerations & Constraints
Small gardens demand thoughtful design, where every square metre must earn its place. Achieving balance between intimacy and openness was key, ensuring each “room” felt defined without feeling enclosed. Over recent years, the most enduring challenge has been maintaining the health of the box hedging, a task made more complex by the growing prevalence of box blight and caterpillar across the UK. Through attentive aftercare, tailored feeding regimes, and early intervention, our maintenance team continues to keep the hedging strong and healthy, ensuring the original design integrity endures.
Success.
Today, Alder Farm Barn is a masterclass in elegant efficiency. Despite its modest size, the garden feels expansive and welcoming, a space designed to be lived in as much as admired. The all-weather seating area is brought to life at night with a gentle glow of garden lighting and the warmth of a heat lamp, while the outdoor kitchen and generous dining area make it a perfect setting for gatherings in every season.
Simple in concept but flawless in execution, this garden perfectly reflects the rhythm of modern living – functional, refined, and deeply connected to the way its owners use their home. It’s a space that proves great design isn’t about size, but about precision, balance, and purpose.
Before & After
