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Modern country garden, Cambridgeshire

A large, contemporary family garden

A pared-back, modern hard landscape is set within expansive, wildlife-friendly and site-sensitive planting.

The garden design helps to visually integrate the house and site with its surrounding countryside setting.

Water is a central element to the design, with an existing lake coupled with a new outdoor swimming pool.

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire swimming pool in naturalistic planting design concrete steps timber deck lake view weeping willow tree

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire swimming pool timber deck sun loungers naturalistic planting design lake view sesleria molinia phlomis betonica hummelo

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire naturalistic planting design timber deck modern architecture home

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire swimming pool timber deck sun loungers naturalistic planting design concrete steps landscape view weeping willow tree

The swimming pool is designed to push out into the landscape, toward the existing lake, with an infinity edge softening the junction between the two.

Planting wraps around the poolside deck to accentuate a settled, balanced feel.

The naturalistic planting takes inspiration from historic meadows of the surrounding countryside, creating modern interpretations of meadow-style planting.

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire naturalistic planting design swimming pool timber deck modern architecture home sesleria molinia amsonia betonica

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire multi-stem amelanchier naturalistic perennial design planting gravel path lawn

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire swimming pool in naturalistic planting design multi-stem amelanchier molinia sesleria iris

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire swimming pool infinity edge timber deck sun loungers naturalistic planting design landscape view willow trees dramatic sky

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire swimming pool amelanchier lamarckii tree water reflections naturalistic planting design

Colm Joseph modern country garden home cambridgeshire swimming pool reflections timber deck sun loungers naturalistic planting design concrete outdoor kitchen amelanchier trees

Colm Joseph modern country garden home cambridgeshire concrete outdoor kitchen cantilevered kitchen counter firebowl sun loungers in-ground hot tub naturalistic planting design amelanchier trees

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire multi-stem amelanchier naturalistic perennial design planting gravel path

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire amelanchier lamarckii tree floating concrete steps wall naturalistic planting design sesleria betonica

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire planting design details timber deck betonica hummelo sesleria autumnalis

Naturalistic planting design flows throughout the garden, set against a restrained hardscape of concrete, timber and gravel.

Structural planting of multi-stem trees and clipped hedging offers screening, year-round interest, privacy and seasonality in keeping with the local context.

Outdoor living spaces include a minimalist outdoor kitchen with cantilevered seating, an in-ground hot tub, an outdoor swimming pool, and a seating deck extending out over the lake.

A bespoke water feature with floating concrete path (bridge) is set within the main terrace, bringing water right up to the house.

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire naturalistic planting design amelanchier lamarckii tree sesleria knautia betonica primula

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire bespoke outdoor kitchen concrete cantilevered bench floating steps timber deck natural planting

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire bespoke outdoor kitchen concrete paving wall timber deck natural planting multi-stem amelanchier tree

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire bespoke outdoor seating concrete cantilevered bench floating steps shadow gap timber deck natural planting

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire concrete terrace floating path over water feature outdoor lighting naturalistic planting design

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire architecture concrete terrace floating path over water feature outdoor lighting naturalistic planting design

To the front of the house, naturalistic planting is combined with clipped evergreen forms and multi-stem trees (Parrotia persica) to create a striking arrival experience.

The combination of generous planting set against a pared-back, harmonious hard landscape palette sets up a visual language that continues throughout the site.

Floating concrete steps and terraces feature at key interfaces and entry points to the house to continue the modern look of the architecture, surrounded and softened by immersive, naturalistic planting.

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire house entrance walls gravel driveway front garden naturalistic perennial planting parrotia persica trees

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire floating concrete steps naturalistic planting design sesleria hakonechloa taxus yew hedge block

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire naturalistic planting design multi-stem parrotia persica tree hakonechloa geranium cenolophium

Colm Joseph modern country garden cambridgeshire naturalistic planting taxus hedge blocks multi-stem parrotia persica tree

Colm Joseph modern country garden house cambridgeshire naturalistic planting design floating concrete steps limestone gravel

A home office studio building sits on the lake edge, with a cantilevered veranda over the water to make the most of the views.

A timber seating deck extends out to integrate the lake with the house and garden.

The garden design works to integrate modern architecture and hard materials with the wider Cambridgeshire landscape to create a unified, harmonious sense of place.