A belated happy new year to you! I had a lovely break with family but that already seems like a distant memory. I’ve lots of really interesting projects on my books at present & am ploughing my way through my project queue.
This new garden design is near Bath. It’s a Cotswold farmhouse on a sloping site so is a tad tricky. I do love to play around with levels though so the before & after will be great. I will keep you posted as it progresses. Here are some of my garden plans & illustrations…
![Front garden sketch](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Front-of-cottage-V1-scaled.jpeg)
A couple of my sketches of the proposed classical front garden. I’m using narrow flowering trees to save space so close to the house, lots of lavender, hydrangeas & huge topiary domes.
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/illustration-of-front-garden-by-Jo-Alderson-Phillips-scaled.jpeg)
Two options below for the new courtyard garden – with roof trees or multistems for structure & shade. My clients chose multistems.
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/roof-trees-in-courtyard-scaled.jpeg)
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/courtyard-with-MS-trees-1.jpeg)
I’ve added an outdoor kitchen, water feature, uplit the trees & cross – lit the topiary domes within this courtyard entertaining space.
Shown below is the side garden with new contemporary extension which will really bring the outside in. It’s all very simple & smart.
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2207.jpeg)
I’m proposing some mature topiary pieces such as these I photographed at a wonderful nursery near Antwerp. Here’s Tom too on our last buying trip.
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_1076-1024x1024.jpeg)
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_1133-1-1024x1024.jpeg)
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_1104-1024x1024.jpeg)
![mature topiary pieces from Antwerp](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/486836B8-D25F-472A-B660-AAB2A496F966-1024x1024.jpeg)
This is the overall plan of the proposed scheme. It’s contemporary but classical too by using natural Cotswold stone & mature topiary to fit with the Cotswold village surroundings. My design is pared back & lean – I always think less is more. My aim is making the most of space to create both a stylish & practical garden for my clients.
![](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Plan-v2-scaled.jpeg)
All my designs are hand drawn & illustrated by me using rotring & pantone pens. I love to draw & never tire of it.
Tom will be building the front first then return once the extension is built so watch this space
Bye for now
![Jo - my name written by Jo Alderson Phillips](https://www.joannealderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/JO_SIGNATURE-150x150.jpeg)