Luxury
Overview
This luxurious garden design in Tankerton, Kent was created alongside a high-specification renovation of a detached villa. The garden wraps around the property and had been largely untouched for generations, offering the opportunity to reimagine the entire landscape as a series of refined outdoor rooms.
The brief focused on creating a garden that reflected the quality of the renovation while enhancing everyday living, entertaining, and moments of retreat.
The Brief
The clients wanted a garden design that felt elegant, contemporary, and immersive, while supporting a wide range of activities.
Key requirements included:
Multiple garden zones for socialising and entertaining
Outdoor cooking and dining areas
Space for play and family use
A secluded area for escape, calm, and meditation
A design that complemented the home’s luxurious architectural detailing
The scale of the garden allowed each space to be carefully planned without compromising flow or cohesion.
The Solution
A refined palette of bronze, carbon, and putty tones was selected, influenced by a modern Japanese aesthetic and chosen to complement the villa’s premium external finishes.
One side of the garden is heavily shaded by protected mature trees. Here, a bespoke boardwalk pathway traces a gentle route through the woodland edge, flanked by tree ferns and layered ground cover to create a lush, jungle-like atmosphere. This immersive walkway leads to a fire pit area, enclosed by architectural planting to heighten the sense of retreat.
A sculptural steel structure, echoing the architectural lines of the terrace, forms a strong focal point when viewed from the house and anchors the central social space.
Features
Oversized bronze planters, bronze porcelain–clad retaining walls, and laser-cut metal screens were introduced to mirror the home’s Crittall-style windows and doors, reinforcing the relationship between house and garden. The screens filter light and cast dynamic shadows, creating privacy and intrigue within a secluded courtyard space.
Granite patios, stepping-stone paths, and coping stones contribute to the premium feel of the hardscape and support seamless movement around the house.
The planting palette is deliberately restrained, focusing on green tonal variation, textured foliage, clipped forms, and soft white blooms. This approach delivers a calm, timeless aesthetic that complements the garden’s architectural elements without overpowering them.
The Result
The completed Tankerton garden design is a sophisticated, luxurious landscape that balances structure, nature, and tranquillity. Through carefully zoned spaces, high-quality materials, and immersive planting, the garden enhances the villa’s architecture and provides a rich outdoor experience for socialising, relaxation, and quiet retreat.
