Merthyr Road, Cardiff

A sleek garden retreat blending modern minimalism with soft, expressive planting

For this project in North Cardiff, the brief was to transform a blank lawn into a stylish, functional outdoor space tailored to modern living. The clients, a young couple, sought a garden that felt contemporary and private, with space to unwind, entertain, and enjoy year-round.

The design centred around a new composite patio positioned just outside large glazed doors leading from the kitchen-living area—forming a natural extension of the home and creating a warm, semi-private sun trap. In one corner, an old salvaged fireplace was repurposed into a striking fire pit feature, forming a relaxed seating area framed by planting. A new shed, slim lawn with integrated drone mower, and crisp hardscaping provided structure and usability, while planting took on a more expressive role.

The planting scheme, developed in collaboration with the client, reflected her love of both cottage garden textures and bold, tropical accents, creating a garden full of personal touches, seasonal colour, and contrast. Key features included specimen shrubs, grasses, and a planting palette designed for structure, softness, and biodiversity.

Construction and implementation were delivered in collaboration with Urban Jungle Solutions, who brought the plans to life with precision and care—ensuring the final garden was not only elegant and distinctive, but also built to last.

Before

Initial Sketch

This initial layout sketch set the foundation for a garden that would evolve organically throughout construction. While the core structure—composite decking, stepping stone paths, seating zones, and layered planting—was established early on, the design continued to develop on site. Collaborative decisions between client, contractor, and designer allowed the space to respond naturally to real-time opportunities, with planting positions, finishes, and key features like the repurposed fireplace and privacy trellis fine-tuned during the build. The result is a garden that feels both deliberate and lived-in—shaped by design, but completed through creative collaboration.

After