GARDEN PROJECT - Contemporary coastal redesign

CAROLINE WHITTINGHAM HAS REVAMPED HER GARDEN WITH A MODERN LOOK, ENTERTAINING SPACES AND SEASIDE-FRIENDLY PLANTING

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While Caroline W Whittingham and her partner Bill Baines were both still working, their garden was not a priority. We enjoyed it, especially for entertaining, but never did much with it, design wise,' says Caroline. We always planned a rethink once we'd retired and had more time."

The garden had barely changed since the house was built 40 years ago. There was a tired concrete patio and a step up to lawn bordered by shrub filled beds. A bare, rendered garage wall dominated the view from the house. With no direct path from the corner barbecue area to the kitchen, the layout was also awkward, and the coastal location presented yet another challenge.

'It's windy, salty and damp,' says Caroline. We'd always struggled with planting and only knew a few varieties that would flourish here."