Family garden, Maida Vale, west London

A contemporary family garden, designed for year-round entertaining

On the tree-lined streets of Maida Vale sits this stylish, contemporary family garden. Designed for year-round entertaining – and space for football – we designed a green, peaceful escape from the city.

The west London garden wraps around a Victorian villa, and was completed in parallel with large-scale building and engineering works on the property, including a basement that extends under the lawn. Careful planning and execution ensured mature trees would have space to establish successfully above the underground structure.

Deep bronze planters age naturally below a series of spectacular multi-stemmed Magnolias that are just as beautiful in winter as they are in blossom in spring. Under these, a rich tapestry of naturalistic planting offsets clipped yew topiary squares, injecting breathing space and compelling contrast.

Fossilized sandstone paving forms the terrace where informal seating and a fire-pit give focus to the space. A bespoke water feature brings gentle movement within the garden to animate and attract wildlife into this west London family garden.