MRLandscapes Client Testimonial: Elm Road

A Framed Retreat in the Heart of Kingston

At MRLandscapes, we specialise in creating outdoor spaces that invite you to slow down and stay awhile. Our recent transformation on Elm Road in Kingston is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship can turn a modest rear garden into a stylish, secluded sanctuary.

The Brief

The clients approached us looking to elevate the space just outside their kitchen extension. Their vision was clear: a cosy, relaxed garden that would serve as an informal seating area for lounging, entertaining, and enjoying the outdoors in comfort - day or night.

We were asked to remove the old paving, introduce a warmer, more natural decking surface, and create a lush, picture-framed planting scheme, with distinct zones for shade, colour, and texture.

The Design

Our design began with a beautifully sunken Millboard enhanced grain deck in an oak finish, built at ground level to feel seamlessly connected to the kitchen. This composite deck provides long-lasting durability and a soft, elegant finish underfoot.

To frame the seating area, we installed treated timber posts, painted in a subtle light grey, creating a clean backdrop for layered planting and a structure from which a removable canopy sail can be hung. The addition of a wall-mounted outdoor heater ensures the space remains usable through cooler evenings.

Around the decking, four new planting beds were excavated and carefully planted for seasonal variation and visual interest. We introduced multi-stem Betula trees behind the sofa area to add height and structure, a striking Acer Sango Kaku with its red winter bark, and an Acer Palmatum for vivid autumn colour. Low-level beds near the house were filled with perennials to provide evolving texture and colour throughout the seasons.

To enhance privacy and unify the boundaries, we installed new slatted fencing on both sides, refreshed and painted to complement the planting scheme while retaining the neighbour’s existing structure.

Bringing the Garden to Life

Lighting was key in extending the usability of the space into the evening. Discreet spotlights were placed throughout the planting beds, with focused lighting for the potted evergreens and the feature trees. The result is a garden that glows gently after dark, with soft highlights and shadows creating a calming, almost theatrical atmosphere.

A Garden Made for Slow Moments

This Kingston garden now offers the perfect blend of softness and structure, framed beauty and informal comfort. Whether relaxing with a morning coffee, hosting friends under the canopy, or enjoying a quiet evening surrounded by illuminated foliage, the space offers year-round appeal.

Our clients were thrilled with the transformation, noting how it feels like an outdoor extension of their living space - inviting, functional, and serene.

Watch the Transformation

The MRLandscapes Client Testimonial: Elm Road video captures the spirit of this project beautifully. It’s a story of turning a once uninspiring rear garden into a destination in its own right.

Inspired to Create Your Own Garden Sanctuary?

If the Elm Road project has sparked your imagination, we’d love to hear from you. We’re currently booking for autumn and winter builds - ideal seasons to get your garden ready for spring enjoyment.

Contact us today to arrange your consultation.