Petite Chic Garden

Location

Leicestershire

Specification

Full Garden Design & Build

Completion

Completed 2021

// Overview

This Petite Chic Garden is a beautifully layered outdoor space created following a home extension, transforming a once-disrupted plot into a contemporary two-tier retreat. Cool grey porcelain, soft planting, and warm cedar details come together to form a garden that feels intimate, elegant, and full of personality. Designed for family living as much as quiet moments, the space blends structure with softness, offering year-round interest and a sense of calm.

// Key Features

Two-tier garden design with defined upper and lower zones

Cool grey porcelain paving for a clean, contemporary aesthetic

Rendered walling with cedar baton accents to add warmth and texture

Porcelain feature steps with ferns and grasses spilling over the edges

A statement large olive tree as the lower-level focal point

Upper beds planted with multi-stem birches for height and elegance

Festoon lighting stretched across the garden for all-season ambience

The extension works had left the garden uneven, disrupted and lacking identity. Levels were cut into the garden without a clear vision of how they should be used, and the space felt disconnected from the newly updated home. The garden now feels purposeful, tranquil and beautifully cohesive. Carefully managed levels, contemporary materials and lush planting soften the hard edges, while statement trees and thoughtful lighting create a space that is both functional and effortlessly stylish.

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Before

After

// The Story

Petite Chic Garden

With the house extension complete, the garden needed rescuing from its construction aftermath. The clients wanted something sophisticated yet warm . A place where planting softened the architecture and where each level offered a different experience. By blending strong lines with gentle textures, we created a space that feels intimate at the lower level and sun-drenched at the upper one. The final result is a garden that feels like a natural continuation of their new home, full of life, calm, and moments to enjoy.

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Discovery & Vision

During the initial visit, it was clear the garden held untapped potential. The existing cut-in levels provided a great starting point, but they lacked structure and intention. The clients wanted a space that felt grown-up yet family-friendly, with planting that would create atmosphere and soften the hard landscaping. Our vision became clear, embrace the levels, elevate the materials, and let planting take the lead in shaping the mood of the space.

Design Development

We designed the lower terrace with cool grey porcelain and rendered walls accented in cedar, a mix that instantly brought modern warmth. The steps became a key feature, lined with ferns and grasses to give a soft, spilling effect. Planting layouts were carefully layered to offer movement and year-round interest, while majestic olive trees anchor the lower space. On the upper level, multi-stem birches and swathes of Verbena, Agapanthus and Salvia brought delicate seasonal colour without overwhelming the space.

Specialist Coordination

The project required close coordination with landscapers to manage level transitions and ensure the porcelain steps aligned seamlessly with the structural walls. Lighting specialists assisted with installing festoon lighting safely across the garden for impact and practicality.

Seamless Delivery

Through careful planning and tight coordination, the garden was delivered smoothly despite the complexities of a split-level build. The final finish feels effortless, a small but mighty garden that proves any space, when designed intentionally, can be transformed into something exceptional.

// Other Related Commissions

Warm Tones Garden