Garden Design

Garden Design

Claude Monet "My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece"

eagle eye  design  is committed to creating beautiful outdoor spaces that reflect the timeless elegance & charm of classic garden design, but layouts that are punctuated with zesty & playful interruptions - life cant be taken too seriously after all!


We love our work & the challenge of developing unique family spaces where no two gardens are ever the same, reflecting the bespoke requirements of the people & families who live there. Our primary approach is to develop a garden masterplan where the garden design layout addresses the function & form of a space. We relish the challenge of tackling serious issues such as significant level changes, water-logging or over-shadowing, & take significant action in order to free up more manageable & useable space. 


We work closely with clients to develop landscape masterplans for larger, country houses & estates, We work on listed properties, Manor Houses & Halls, breathing new life, for new eras, into new spaces, We've develop front & rear garden spaces for period Victorian, Edwardian & Georgian town-houses, & on occasions we crane huge hot-tubs on to London's roof-top gardens.

eagle eye design uses a range of traditional & contemporary hard landscape materials, often blending the two to reflect the 'charm' of the old with the 'clean-lines' of the new. We develop hard landscaping schemes using retaining walls, freestanding water or gabion-caged walls. We integrate one-off timber structures such as arbours, pergolas & trellising to help define different spaces within a garden & link access points to develop circulation around garden spaces using paving, paths & surfaces constructed for example from; reclaimed York stone, Indian limestone or resin bound gravel.


We recognise the importance of developing a strong planting structure that gives a space within the wider garden definition & form. This is often achieved using trees, shrubs, hedges & other evergreen planting, around which we infill using more colourful & free-flowing herbaceous planting. To achieve this we produce detailed planting plans & planting specification that develop, grow & mature over time to give seasonal interest throughout the year.


We work with architects to integrate house extensions into garden spaces, structural engineers to design & specify specialist retaining wall systems, ecologists who might need to survey for bats, arboriculturists (tree surgeons) to work on trees, planning officers to gain local authority planning permission, craft-people, artists & sculptures to design & fascinate, & many other design professions to realise your dream garden space.


We've developed natural swimming pools, streams, ponds, water-features, rills & the occasional bespoke 'damp-ditch' for local newts & other friendly amphibians. We've created orchards, wind-breaks, sculpted topiary, wild-flower meadows, veg patches, raised planters, boxed planters, plinths, sculptures, lighting schemes, irrigation schemes & the occasional ha-ha.


Whatever your requirements, as a home owner, architect or developer, we focus on creating well structured, contemporary gardens and landscapes that are creative & will work for you. Our garden design packages are tailored to suit your requirements and seek to enhance your investment in your property.

Got a garden project & think we might be able to help?

 Use the form below to get in touch - we'd love to hear from you!

Garden Design Enquiry

Great Garden Design Ideas

Garden Design Process

Typically, a garden designer will visit you at your property to get a feel of your requirements and to enable us to develop a brief for the project. We'll ask questions to get an understanding of your lifestyle, your garden ideas, your style and if there are any existing problems or issues that need addressing.


This is also a great opportunity for you to find out about eagle eye design , to ask questions and decide if you are comfortable working together. We aim to be as flexible and accommodating in our approach but generally the process will include the following;

1 Project Brief

The Brief is a key document in the design process setting out amongst other things the goals, design parameters, time frames, budgets, any non-negotiables you might have, essentially what you want to achieve, when, where and how much you're prepared to invest in the project. A few pointers at this early stage:
  • As a guide, and depending on the size and complexity of the project, you should realistically expect to invest around £100/sqm on the project;
  • In terms of 'seasonality', garden designers plan and design throughout the year but target the drier and warmer months for construction. Tree, shrub & herbaceous planting is ideally completed late autumn or early spring, although with suitable irrigation this can often be delivered into the summer months;
  • If possible plan well ahead - its often cheaper and less stressful; and
  • If you're inclined to offer tea to your contractors, start buying in sugar supplies for all those cups of tea - its a good ploy to keep both the builders and their tea sweet.

2 Garden Survey

The basis for an excellent garden design is an accurate & detailed survey which measures and records the position, level & height of existing buildings, the existing layout, principle features, planting, level changes and where necessary, underground services. 

We are keen to innovate wherever we can and use drone based aerial photography and photogrammetry, utilising geo-tags and GPS, to create a reliably accurate 2D plan and in some cases 3D model. This is further enhanced using laser and traditional staff & 'dumpy level' measurements.

The collated data is inputed on to our AutoCAD system and forms the basis for detailed garden plans. On occasions where previous surveys have been undertaken, we will use the survey as a base drawing but will check dimensions & scan for any minor changes or alterations. If you are consulting with your architect or surveyor please ask for drawings in a 'DWG' format.

3 Garden Sketch Schemes

This is where the fun starts for the garden designer who normally produces two or three concept drawings, generating garden design ideas and exploring how the garden might be laid out and gives an indication of where the principle features, materials, trees and plants are used and how they are connected. In essence they drive towards the clients brief but at this stage its more about the creative thinking process. The detail is addressed at a later stage.

Once completed and coloured up, the sketch schemes are presented to the client with the intention of inspiring, exploring options and possibilities and stimulating reactions. Often elements from different sketch schemes can be combined, taken forward and blended into the Masterplan. On occasions, clients like to take a few days to mull the options over and talk it through at their own pace which is a helpful process for them. We're always keen to impress to our clients that we are the designers, not the people who are going to live with he project, so while we might enthuse about our creations, its your opinion that really matters.

4 Garden Masterplan

The Masterplan pulls together all the elements of the scheme into a single scaled, and often rendered garden design drawing that conveys a refined layout that demonstrates the textures, finishes and the details of an area. 

Where Planning Permission is sort, it is often this drawing that Planners give weight to as it conveys the layout and design of the whole site. It reads easily and is a great work of art often to be found, neatly mounted, on the cloakroom walls of past clients!

5 Garden Technical Drawings: 

Detailed garden design drawings are an important part of every design project and demonstrate how structures and features are to be built. They might range from a structural engineer's detail for a retaining wall, a planting plan for a garden design, an electrical drawing outdoor lighting or a drainage plan for a driveway. In the case of landscape design, the Masterplan is often developed as Hard and Soft Landscape Strategy.

6 Garden Visuals

Visual are developed to help the client visualise the proposed layout and arrangement of spaces within a project. Produced as hand drawn or computer generated drawings, the proposals show how levels, heights, features and garden furniture interact within the garden design and are an art form in themselves. Mood boards can be a useful tool to develop and visualise design concepts at various stages of a project.

7 Garden Specification

A written document describing in detail what each element of the masterplan is and how landscape gardeners should construct the garden design project. The Specification is a key part of any subsequent contract and something every building project should include.

Our Professional Reputation

As a Licentiate Member of the Landscape Institute and with bases in Stafford and London, eagle eyedesign works in the domestic and commercial garden design market throughout the UK and abroad, continually delivering high standards as recognised by our prestigious clients and partners including:
  • The BBC: RHS Chelsea, BBC Breakfast, BBC Homefront
  • Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) 
  • Design For London (DfL)
  • Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
  • Baily Garner LLP

Benefits of Hiring A  Landscape Architect To Design Your Garden

A beautifully designed garden can elevate the overall aesthetic appeal of your property & provide a relaxing & refreshing outdoor space for you & your loved ones. While many people may consider designing their garden themselves, there are numerous benefits of hiring a qualified landscape architect to do the job.


First and foremost, a landscape architect has the expertise & training to create a comprehensive design plan that meets your specific needs & preferences. At eagle eye design we have an eye for detail & can create a cohesive & functional design that complements your home's architecture, natural surroundings, & your personal style. We have an understanding of how to create sustainable & eco-friendly designs that will benefit your garden & the environment.


A landscape architect can help you make the most of your outdoor space & ensure that it is not only beautiful but also functional. They can help you create different zones within your garden, such as a seating area, an entertainment space, or a productive vegetable garden. We also advise on the best materials to use, the ideal plants to incorporate, & the best lighting & irrigation systems for your garden.


In addition to creating a beautiful and functional garden, a landscape architect can also help increase the value of your property. A well-designed garden can significantly enhance your home's curb appeal, making it more attractive to potential buyers should you decide to sell your property in the future.


Finally, working with a qualified landscape architect can save you time and money in the long run. We can create a realistic budget & timeline for your project, help you choose the right materials & plants, & oversee the entire process to ensure that everything runs smoothly.


In conclusion, hiring a qualified landscape architect to design your garden can bring numerous benefits, from creating a beautiful & functional outdoor space to adding value to your property. If you're considering redesigning your garden, it's worth investing in the services of a professional to help you achieve your desired outcome.


Sounds like we might be your kind of people..?

Click here to make contact


Share by: