Transforming Unassuming Dirt Plot into a Garden Oasis: A Designer's Touch Adds Fireplace, Breakfast Bar, and Outdoor Shower to a Small City Area
Tucked away in the heart of East London, near the bustling City, lies a tranquil sanctuary - a compact garden oasis that radiates peace and relaxation, starkly contrasting the hurried pace and business of Liverpool Street.
This stunning urban garden perfectly balances the surrounding atmosphere while creating a private, distinct space - an accomplishment often hard to achieve in bustling cities. The innovative design is none other than the work of Charlotte Rowe.
By seamlessly blending modern aesthetics with rich, verdant greenery, this compact courtyard garden serves as an idyllic escape smack in the middle of the urban sprawl. Rowe managed to segregate distinct zones within this compact space to tailor the garden to her client's lifestyle. With ample opportunities to lounge in the sunshine or dance the night away, this is a garden designed for life.
Formerly uninspiring, the original garden appeared lackluster due to worn-out fencing and long-neglected plant life. However, the complete absence of style or personality offered Charlotte a clean slate, allowing her free rein to create as she saw fit. The appeal of this type of new build lies in the opportunity it offers homeowners to fully reinvent their outside spaces, making them a unique reflection of their tastes.
Framing the garden as an extension of the living room inside creates the illusion of a more extensive space for both areas. By focusing on zoning, Rowe divided the space into distinct zones, such as a breakfast bar, a fireplace with comfortable seating, and an outdoor shower, thereby catering to her clients' specific requests and creating a sense of distinction between each section.
The garden's makeover includes numerous inviting seating areas, a standing outdoor shower, and a sleek breakfast bar, among other features that make the most of the available space. One of the key strategies employed was to create different levels to break up the space, making it easier to carve out specific areas.
An unusual shape necessitated inventive solutions to create these zones. The clients requested a breakfast bar, a fireplace with comfortable seating, and an outdoor shower. Rowe's design also incorporates a 'dance floor' on an upper level, catering to clients known for their enthusiasm for parties.
A modern outdoor fireplace proudly takes center stage at the garden's rear, complementing the inviting sunken fire pit seating area in front. Fireplaces are a frequent element in Rowe's designs, providing warmth and a focal point that invites relaxation. The fireplace's unusual chimney adds visual appeal while serving as a screen to block neighbors' views.
Adding to the tropical oasis feel, an outdoor shower offers a touch of paradise. Before, the garden looked uninteresting, with worn-down fencing and long-abandoned greenery. Now, this petite yet dynamic space showcases how to get the most out of limited urban space.
Incorporating lifestyle elements, such as the outdoor shower, demonstrates Rowe's focus on comfort and personalization. However, it's important to note that concrete flooring and other modern materials risk making the garden feel cold or stark. To address this, Rowe employs vibrant, lush greenery to add warmth and life, creating a nuanced, balanced garden design that seamlessly blends modernity with nature.
The combination of sleek materials and rich plant life lends a sophisticated ambiance to the garden, making it an ideal destination for enjoying summer days or hosting lively parties.
Sources:[1] The Spaces Between: Charlotte Rowe Architects & Garden Design. (n.d.). ArchDaily. https://www.bustler.net/projects/the-spaces-between-charlotte-rowe-architects-and-garden-design/73395cc5-7703-4654-9aa1-a18847a1152c[2] A small courtyard garden in East London gains a sensational twist. (n.d.). RIBAJ - The Architecture and the City. https://www.archdaily.com/816788/a-small-courtyard-garden-in-east-london-gains-a-sensational-twist[3] A Small London Garden Transformed into a Modern Paradise. (n.d.). The Spaces. https://www.thespacesmagazine.com/a-small-london-garden-transformed-into-a-modern-paradise/702128[4] A Small Garden, Big Impact. (n.d.). Quiet Minutes. https://www.quietminutes.co.uk/blog/a-small-garden-big-impact/
- Charlotte Rowe's interior-design project transforms a compact garden oasis in East London, creating a tranquil space that contrasts the city's business.
- By integrating modern aesthetics with rich greenery, the courtyard garden serves as an ideal escape, balancing the surrounding atmosphere.
- Rowe, renowned for her innovative design, divides the space into distinct zones to cater to her clients' lifestyle, including a breakfast bar, fireplace, comfortable seating, and an outdoor shower.
- The garden's makeover includes inviting seating areas, a standing outdoor shower, and a sleek breakfast bar, optimizing the limited urban space.
- Incorporating an outdoor shower adds a tropical oasis feel, showcasing how to get the most out of limited urban space.
- To create warmth and balance modernity with nature, Rowe uses vibrant greenery, contrasting with concrete flooring and other modern materials.
