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Private garden · Ashtead, Surrey
Garden Hideaway
A layered family garden in Ashtead, balancing everyday family life with the quiet, restorative journey to a private counselling studio
I was contacted by a couple in Ashtead who wanted to transform their garden into a beautiful and practical space for themselves and their two teenage children.
But this garden also had another important role.
At the far end of the plot sits a bespoke Nordic Room timber garden office, used by the homeowner for her counselling work. This meant the garden needed to work not only as a family space, but also as the approach to a professional setting where privacy, calm and a sense of transition really mattered.
Rather than creating one direct path from the house to the office, I designed the garden as a journey, using changing materials, planting, framed views and subtle shifts in direction to gradually change the atmosphere as you move through the space.
A Journey Through the Garden
Different paving materials were introduced to distinguish the separate areas of the garden and help create a natural sense of progression.
In the central section, the path becomes a series of generous stepping stones set within gravel, framed by two tall oak garden arches.
Stepping stones naturally slow our walking pace, while the width and gentle twists of the path allow two people to walk side by side and talk comfortably.
The changing direction also means the garden is never experienced from just one viewpoint. As you move through it, different planting combinations and framed views gradually reveal themselves.
Structure Softened by Planting
The middle section combines strong architectural forms with softer planting.
Clipped topiary balls provide year-round structure, while ornamental grasses introduce movement and soften their formal shapes.
The oak arches are clothed with climbing roses and scented evergreen jasmine, creating both a visual threshold and a fragrant experience as you pass beneath them.
The arches help divide the garden subtly without creating hard boundaries, allowing each section to feel distinct while remaining connected to the whole.
A More Formal Garden Near the House
Closer to the house, the character is deliberately more formal.
A generous lawn sits alongside the main patio, creating a comfortable sunbathing area while visually extending the terrace and making the entertaining space feel larger.
The lawn is framed by a neat yew hedge and lavender planting, giving this part of the garden a strong, ordered structure and creating a natural transition between the house and the softer planting beyond.
A Calmer Garden Towards the Studio
As the journey continues towards the counselling studio, the planting gradually becomes looser and more informal.
Dogwoods, hellebores and other shade-tolerant planting create a softer, more naturalistic atmosphere, with particular attention given to winter interest so the route remains attractive throughout the year.
Strategically positioned ornamental trees were introduced to increase privacy, screen neighbouring views and create a stronger sense of enclosure around the studio.
This quieter planting character helps the garden feel more restful as you approach the end of the plot, creating an important sense of separation between everyday family life and the counselling space beyond.
A Garden With Two Lives
Garden Hideaway was designed to support two very different but equally important parts of the clients’ lives.
It is a family garden with space to relax, sunbathe and spend time together.
At the same time, it provides a calm and considered journey to the private counselling studio, where changing textures, fragrance, planting and carefully framed views help create a gentle transition away from the outside world.
The more formal garden close to the house gradually gives way to softer, more natural planting as you move towards the end of the plot.
What begins as a family garden becomes a restorative journey, ending in a private hideaway surrounded by planting.
Every garden here started with a conversation.Book a free consultation
Planting
- Climbing rosesArches
- Evergreen jasmineArches
- Ornamental grassesMiddle garden
- YewNear the house
- LavenderNear the house
- DogwoodTowards the studio
- HelleboreTowards the studio
Gallery
What my clients say
The clients of this garden
“Kitti is a rare designer in that she truly listens to her client.”
She took time to understand and take on board every aspect of our family's garden requirements, incorporating these into a stunning, original design which ticked all our boxes and then went much further. The finished garden is a constant source of inspiration and looks beautiful in all seasons, without the need for much maintenance. She has a great eye and imagination which enable her to see the potential in a given space, making the most of its positive features and expertly downplaying any 'problem' areas. She is passionate and friendly and has the drive and energy to see projects through to successful completion. Kitti is only happy when her client is happy, and we are very happy indeed! Thank you!
“Kitti guided us through a complex project with far more to it than we initially thought.”
Her design was inspired and refreshing, and she helped us find landscapers we could trust to bring it to life. Kitti remained involved throughout the project, offering advice and practical suggestions whenever they were needed. The finished garden exceeded our expectations, and we would happily recommend her to anyone considering a garden project.
“We wanted a garden that would support our family's wellbeing, a space where our four children, cousins and friends could come together.”
Kitti managed a complex build with restricted site access and delivered a beautiful garden for us. The planting is still young, but we can't wait to see how it changes through the seasons and grows over the years.
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