This private eco-estate offers premier lakeside living within a unique natural environment, where biodiversity, recreation, and residential life coexist. Residents enjoy direct access to the lake via private moorings, along with a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activity, wildlife observation, and community connection.

This garden was designed for a family of four, whose lifestyle centres on active play, entertaining, relaxation, and growing edibles. While the property already contained a mature shade tree, a young row of olive trees, and a partially constructed boardwalk leading to the lakeside mooring, the layout lacked cohesion and biodiversity.

The design brief sought to create a unified scheme that:

Strengthened the visual connection between house and lake.

Enhanced biodiversity with colour and height variation.

Integrated edible planting into the garden.

Created opportunities for wildlife observation and family interaction.

Provided a clear planting specification for phased, owner-led installation.

The final concept centred on a rectilinear lawn space, providing contrast to the organic planting of surrounding beds and forming a strong visual axis to the lake. A reinstated boardwalk became the spine of the design, extending from the house through the garden to the mooring. Native and aquatic-adapted species were introduced along the boundaries to enrich biodiversity, attract birdlife, and create a seamless transition into the natural vegetation beyond. Raised planters were incorporated between the olive trees for edible planting, offering children the opportunity to grow and harvest their own produce. Seating areas were carefully placed to maximise view lines and encourage moments of reflection and observation of wildlife. Stepping-stone pathways provided discreet access for both enjoyment and maintenance.

This scheme demonstrates how considered design can bring together existing elements, ecological planting, and functional family needs into a balanced and unified landscape, rooted in its lakeside context.

Services provided: Concept design, family garden planning, edible and biodiverse planting design, self-installation specification.