Garden Design: Getting It Wrong!!

I beavered away over Christmas at 2 designs for client's in Glasgow. This one in particular I was quite pleased with as I had met the budget well and ticked all the client's boxes.The brief was to provide a decent patio area for dining and entertaining, a second breakfast patio, and a kids play area. It is a new build property so blank canvas. I decided to break the parallel expanse of the garden up with a pergola walkway leading through to a feature magnolia. This would divide the garden into an adult area and a childrens area since they have young children. I tried to keep it simple without becoming plain or redundant and pack the garden with functional space. I came up with this after playing around for a few ideas:

The client came back to me very impressed with the design but admitted that it wasn't suited to his requirements. I got it wrong. I submitted a report suporting my decisions and he returned that he agreed but was really looking for something like this:

Ah well, you can't win them all - at least we're still getting the contract!!CheersNicky PattersonGardenImprovements.com

Thank your stars you didn't get a mood board from the client... it is pretty heart breaking though.... In the same vein, I once wrote an extensive paper (10 pages) on a proposed approach to applying the client classification requirements under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive for my boss (I have a very boring job as you can guess) - only to find it back on my desk with a yellow post-it on it saying 'Please justify'. Returning with the report amended in hand some hours of research and rewriting later..... I find I've mis-interpreted the message.... 'Please justify' as in can you make sure that it is straight down the right side of the page as well as the left..... ARRRRRGHHHH!!!!! Followed by, "oh, and can I have a three bullet point slide as a cover piece" - translation: "No one's going to read it anyway, just give me the headlines."

"Yeah, I really struggle with quoting. I say that's the hardest part of the job for me but I'd like to get your guys help because I've expanded my business from just grass cuts to full garden maintenance. Basically I've been asked to look after two…"

Just after some input from you guysGoing to be doing a lawn scarification and overseed/top dress but because of the naff weather we have had it has taken me ages to get the weedkiller down on the lawn. I have to wait 4 weeks before seeding and that…

"Totally agree with Peter... Clay is also quite wet so fence spikes will rust off fast. I'd find a way of digging the hole, put a postsaver sleeve around a proper 10 year (UC4) post."

Comments

Charlotte Noar February 4, 2009 at 2:15pm

I get drawings like that from clients all the time! That's why they've called you in, I would have thought?!!
Cat Fereday February 4, 2009 at 4:04pm

Thank your stars you didn't get a mood board from the client... it is pretty heart breaking though.... In the same vein, I once wrote an extensive paper (10 pages) on a proposed approach to applying the client classification requirements under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive for my boss (I have a very boring job as you can guess) - only to find it back on my desk with a yellow post-it on it saying 'Please justify'. Returning with the report amended in hand some hours of research and rewriting later..... I find I've mis-interpreted the message.... 'Please justify' as in can you make sure that it is straight down the right side of the page as well as the left..... ARRRRRGHHHH!!!!! Followed by, "oh, and can I have a three bullet point slide as a cover piece" - translation: "No one's going to read it anyway, just give me the headlines."
Kerrie John-The garden design Co February 4, 2009 at 7:04pm

Vision dear boy, vision. Some have it, some can't see it even in 3d. Soul destroying but hey, you got the contact!
Paul-Mark vincent February 4, 2009 at 7:49pm

I think the Leylandii hedge is a masterstroke you should have thought of that!
Keep at it- don't let the ********s get you down.
Sarah Russell February 5, 2009 at 8:47am

And the artificial turf is a master stroke... think I had better give up and work in the supermarket....
Shelley Barnes February 5, 2009 at 10:08am

You gotta laugh really- what a shame! (at least you got the job- but you're always going to be thinking how great it would have been your way!).
Maybe the client will think about it a bit more and come round to your way of thinking.
Like Niall- i am curious tho about your software- its very effective, what is it?
Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com February 5, 2009 at 10:25pm

Yeah the client is still paying for the design but I've got to wonder - perhaps he could have given me the sketch at the survey and I could have adapted it!

Anyway we are going ahead with a hybrid of the 2 with a view to providing scope for development further down the line so not wholly bad.

Glad it made you all smile though!

Nicky