sleepers - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-28T17:26:31Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/sleepersGarden Design London: A week in the life of a London Based Garden Design and Build Company: Week 32 2011https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/garden-design-london-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-london-based-garden2011-08-12T10:17:52.000Z2011-08-12T10:17:52.000ZKatrina Kieffer- Wellshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/KatrinaKiefferWells<div><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314142109?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314142109?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a></p><p> </p><ul><li>In December 2010 <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/">Earth Designs</a> carried out a garden postal design for a client in Wales. The building was listed and the design was for a <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/funky-roof-terrace-garden-design-river-thames-east-london.html">roof terrace</a>, however not any ordinary roof garden. The architects had designed a carport the roof to which could double as a terrace. The terrace would be partly visible from the other side of a quay wall as so should incorporate planting to minimise any impact it may have on the views from the other side of the quay wall. The client has recently contacted us again with regards to designing a garden around the ground floor of the property.</li><li>Work continues on gathering content for the new website gardensbypost.com which will replace <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.gardenpresents.co.uk/">gardenpresents.co.uk</a> here details of Earth Designs garden design consultations and postal garden designs can be found.</li><li>Work continues for the hard landscaping team in Willesden Green, creating a terraced garden.</li><li>The final touches are given to Earth Designs London garden design and build in <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/generalchitchat/london-garden-design-wanstead-garden-of-light-and-movement">Wanstead</a>. The design included furniture constructed from oak <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/moroccan-courtyard-garden-design-stoke-newington-london.html">railway sleeper</a><em>,</em> dining table, benches and cubes as well as a bespoke enclosure for the client’s dog. Part of the brief was for a <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/party-garden-design-hackney-london.html">hot tub</a> which is now tucked in behind bamboos for privacy.<em> </em></li><li>Katrina and Claire are scheduled in for a consultation in Romford <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/tropical-garden-design-grays-essex.html">Essex</a> where the client has a large rear garden I need of attention. </li><li>Claire is due to present an design to a client in <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/stylish-and-modern-garden-design-maida-vale-london.html">Maida Vale</a> next week. As the property is within a conservation area a planning application had to be submitted with regards to felling a tree which had signs of disease and poor pruning. The design maximises on the space within the garden and incorporates contemporary bespoke pergola arches.</li><li>We have received an enquiry from an admirer of Earth Designs garden design and build <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/asiatic-garden-design-laindon-essex.html">‘The Asiatic Garden’</a> with a query on sourcing Perspex which is used to create a feeling of semi-enclosure within a pergola structure. The Perspex panels are removable and whilst giving a sense of enclosure do not impede views across the garden.</li><li>I have been contacted about doing a Garden Design for France. We are just setting up dates and booking ferries.</li><li>We are now booking our next batch of Garden Design courses. We have a wide range of one, two and three day garden design course tailor made for the individual please <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/generalchitchat/earth-designs-garden-design-school-garden-design-short-courses">click here</a> for further info.</li></ul></div>Using Railway Sleepers for Garden Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/using-railway-sleepers-for2011-08-01T14:00:00.000Z2011-08-01T14:00:00.000ZMark Johnsonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkJohnson<div><p>Design and structure of your garden can really be enhanced by using railway sleepers in many different ways. I am going to outline the different uses for railway sleepers in your garden and how they can help create a totally different space than what existed before. </p><p>The first thing to note in relation to sleepers are that there are two different types, new and reclaimed. Although reclaimed sleepers look great and add a brilliant rustic feel to your garden, they can only be used in certain ways - as they have been treated in creosote they must not be used where they will come into contact with growing fruit or vegetables or anywhere that they could come into frequent contact with human skin. It is therefore best to use protective gloves when handling reclaimed railway sleepers. </p><p>Best uses for them are building steps in your garden, they are a useful material to use as they are very hard wearing. To make the steps secure you will have to lay them in a concrete bed. In some places chicken wire can also be placed over the sleepers as they can become slippery in wet weather. Adding some rustic looking garden fencing can also help complete the ‘worn’ look if that is your end goal. </p><p>New railway sleepers can be used for a much wider range of things in your garden, they are still very hard wearing but do not have the charm that reclaimed sleepers may possess. They can be used to build garden furniture including decking and tables, they can also be used for inside use, for windowsills or fire places. </p><p>Building up flower beds to give some structure to your garden is a great use for new sleepers as you can begin to define paths and areas in your garden. Building a vegetable patch is also a great use for sleepers and this can be built in a size and shape to suit your garden. </p><p>The possibilities are endless really so have a think about how sleepers could be used to create the ‘wow’ factor in your garden. </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Tropical Planting, Vertical Sleepers & Sandstone Water Features in New Country Gardenhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/tropical-planting-vertical2011-02-28T16:42:32.000Z2011-02-28T16:42:32.000ZSteve Barkerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/SteveBarker<div><img class="alignnone" title="Planting" src="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/image-files/new-garden-08-proj-wtfjtg001.jpg" height="439" width="585"/><br/>A new project submission has been made to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/">www.garden-design-pictures.com</a> and the pictures can be viewed by clicking <a rel="nofollow" title="Planting" href="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/planting-proj-wtfjtg001.html">Planting</a><br/><br/>If you are a Garden Designer or Landscape Gardener you can claim your free advertisement and link to your website by emailing <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:steve@garden-design-pictures.com">steve@garden-design-pictures.com</a> and requesting more information.<br/></div>Maintenance Free Railway Sleepers Encircle New Turf and Flower Bedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/maintenance-free-railway2011-02-24T13:55:50.000Z2011-02-24T13:55:50.000ZSteve Barkerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/SteveBarker<div><img class="aligncenter" title="Railway Sleepers" src="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/image-files/maintenance-free-12-proj-dwsyrk001.jpg" height="439" width="585"/><br/><br/>A new project submission has been made to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/">www.garden-design-pictures.com</a> and the pictures can be viewed by clicking <a rel="nofollow" title="Railway Sleepers" href="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/railway-sleepers-proj-dwsyrk002.html">Railway Sleepers</a><br/><br/>If you are a Garden Designer or Landscape Gardener you can claim your free advertisement and link to your website by emailing <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:steve@garden-design-pictures.com">steve@garden-design-pictures.com</a> and requesting more information.<br/></div>Gravel Paths to Pond Bridge with Railway Sleepers for Stepshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/gravel-paths-to-pond-bridge2011-02-08T17:21:16.000Z2011-02-08T17:21:16.000ZSteve Barkerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/SteveBarker<div><img class="aligncenter" title="Pond" src="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/image-files/pond-bridge-05-proj-wtfgor002.jpg" height="435" width="585"/><br/>A new project submission has been made to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/">www.garden-design-pictures.com</a> and the pictures can be viewed by clicking <a rel="nofollow" title="Pond" href="http://www.garden-design-pictures.com/pond-bridge-proj-wtfgor002.html">Pond</a><br/><br/>If you are a Garden Designer or Landscape Gardener you can claim your free advertisement and link to your website by emailing <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:steve@garden-design-pictures.com">steve@garden-design-pictures.com</a> and requesting more information.<br/></div>Garden Improvement Ideas Using Railway Sleepershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/garden-improvement-ideas-using2010-10-19T16:00:00.000Z2010-10-19T16:00:00.000ZMark Johnsonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkJohnson<div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Gardens can very quickly become unruly and require your attention. Next time you get in there and tidy it up why not upgrade it with some extra features?</span></p><p>Railway sleepers are an extremely low cost addition to any garden. They are extremely versatile and can be used to enhance the look and feel of your garden<br/>and home. The only limits to what you can do are your imagination and your<br/>ability to move around the railway sleepers.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Protect and distinguish your flower beds by raising them with railway sleepers. Laying a <span>railway sleepers</span> lengthways on its side as a border to your flower bed protects your flowers from creeping weeds and adds a permanent section to the garden. This will raise the depth of the flower bed so you can add another layer of soil when planting for next spring.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Railway sleepers add a much more natural touch than a brick wall and as a single object you do not need to worry about parts falling down, as you would with a brick wall.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314138181?profile=original" alt=""/></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.avsfencing.co.uk/retail/products-by-type/railway-sleepers/new/new-railway-sleeper-range/new-hardwood-railway-sleepers/" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hardwood <span>railway sleepers</span> can be used to landscape your garden, acting as retaining walls. In this case hardwood sleepers are your best bet as they are more</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">hardwearing and will potentially be withstanding a considerable load of earth<br/>and turf. Once again, the wood looks much more suited than brick work, however<br/>other types of rocks can be used to create a natural and aesthetic landscaped<br/>garden.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Garden walls can be very troublesome as plant roots and the weight of earth and turf push them over and weaken them. An advantage of using railway sleepers as an<br/>alternative is that as a large, solid object a single railway sleeper is<br/>considerably stronger than the equivalent length in bricks. Oak railway<br/>sleepers can make excellent garden walls if you prefer a lighter coloured wood.<br/>Treated used <span>railway sleepers</span> are great if you prefer a darker coloured wood and<br/>are cheaper!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you are getting garden decking then why not use a railway sleeper or two to create the steps? You can get railway sleepers in a range of woods, so can get one which</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">matches your decking, or simply treat the sleepers so that they match.<br/>Depending on the length of your steps you could get away with only using one sleeper or may need three. As they are solid they are more secure than constructing steps, they simply need to be anchored to the decking and ground<br/>and each other. This would add a more natural, interesting look than brick steps or uniform steps which match the decking.</span></p></div>Creating a Family graden in Wallingford, Oxford with a contemporary twisthttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/creating-a-family-graden-in2010-06-08T10:09:46.000Z2010-06-08T10:09:46.000ZKatrina Kieffer- Wellshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/KatrinaKiefferWells<div><p style="text-align: left;"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314100753?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt=""/></p>I March i received this email.Dear KatrinaI came across your website today and I have left a rather garbled message on your voicemail this afternoon – sorry for that!In the meantime, until we have the opportunity to speak on the phone, I thought I might drop you a note to tell you more about what I am looking for. Your website and style used in the portfolio of projects has inspired me and and I am very excited about the prospect of a professional planning such an important part of our home and would welcome your thoughts on what is possible.We have been thinking about a garden design for some months now and in an ideal world it would be wonderful to have someone visit but I’m afraid that I don’t think our budget will not extend to that and as we are keen (and capable DIYers) I am mostly interested in the postal design planning service as featured on your website.The garden is 33m long by 12m wide. The patio area is a little lower than the lawn and flower beds – at the moment is accessible by two steps and is very traditional in layout and not very imaginative. We have lived here for about 4 years and in the meantime I made some attempts with the end of the garden but despite spending endless weeks trying to work out how to fit my ideas together I cannot come up with a plan. A attach a couple of photo’s of our garden to give you an idea.The two sheds are quite important as we have no garage and would be cumbersome to move (I wonder whether you could work around these) – it would be good to hide them. I built a live-willow wigwam when we moved in (shame to loose it now as it has become quite established) and included a bark circle around the swing/trappese and treehouse.I would like a contemorary looking garden, and admire the “rooms” that you have created in gardens for other clients using wooden structures/walls. I don’t like the shape of our patio or the shape of the steps but do like the size (we have a very large patio table) but its current location is not particulaly in the best place so would be good to have two seating areas.We plan to put in glass bi-fold doors across the back of the house (6 metres) so should give you an idea of the style we are after. Features I would like to see in my perfect garden would include lots of different textures (decking, paving, bricks, low walls, wood, pebbles, sail shades, and plenty of things that bring the inside out (and the other way round)).A path from the house to the sheds is also essential.We do have two children (12 and 9yrs) – so garden toys are becoming less of an issue but it is important the style and design are quite robust!I have been collecting pictures of things I like from articles, magazines, Internet but do of course appreciate that not all of these ideas might be possible or even appropriate for our garden and am happy to be guided by an expert – I am not sure if this makes your job easier or more difficult!Sam called Earth Designs a couple of months ago as her garden need new life breathing into it to bring it up to the same level as the interior refurbishments that she and her husband Neil were planning. Matt and I visited them in April to discuss the garden and what they wished to do with the space. They live in an 18th century Oxfordshire cottage and whilst their garden is perfectly serviceable they wanted to add some more structure and bring it up to date with the contemporary style their interior had been treated to.Sam and I discussed their likes and dislikes, she was very clear on what they wanted and they planned to do it as a self build, so we needed to bear then in mind when looking at the complexity of the design an dskill level required to build it. Having said this – they were both keen DIYers and fancied a challenge so we briskly drew a garden sketch pooling all of Sam and Neil’s requirements as well as drawing inspiration from the mood board they had put together detailing some of the ideas they liked.Sam and I discussed their likes and dislikes, she was very clear on what they wanted and they planned to do it as a self build, so we needed to bear then in mind when looking at the complexity of the design an dskill level required to build it. Having said this – they were both keen DIYers and fancied a challenge so we briskly drew a garden sketch pooling all of Sam and Neil’s requirements as well as drawing inspiration from the mood board they had put together detailing some of the ideas they liked.Once we had agreeed on the layout and Matt had finished the garden survey we left ready to complete the tailor made design service we had quoted Sam.In the interim, we sent her and Neil some dimension drawings, so they could be sure of the layout of the space.A few dimensions tweeks and a bit further clarification on certain areas and materials we were ready to proceed with getting producing the full drawings and delivering to Sam and Neil a garden they could not only build themselves, but be proud of.The gardencreates a space for the whole family. The patio area directly from the back of the house will be laid to formal lay stretcher course Indian Sandstone. A cut out planting bed in this space will be filled with either Elegia tectorum, Equisetum hymale or Elegia Capensis.To the left of the space a ‘room outside’ will be constructed form Railway Sleeper stained dark brown, with intermittent shelving for the client to add accessories and other object d’art. Cited within this area will be a table and chairs allowing for an optional sail to be placed over this space to keep both sun and rain off. To the right of the garden a curved tapered wooden wall, sees an opportunity to not only provide screening from the garden beyond, but also to allow for some extra seating or loungers. Long ‘gankplanks’ made from hardwood decking bisect this area and become a recurrent motif through the garden. two large circular lawns help to divide the garden into two sections and allow of a better platform for planting. To the corner of the pergola structure there is a level change and a pathway to lead you down the garden via the children’s play area. This is currently in position and is to be retained. The pathway then leads third seating area to make the most of the morning sun. A circular decked area bisected again by decking, allows for sun loungers or a cafe style table and chairs. Mesh screens, help to hide the two sheds, but also frame the attractive wall at the bottom of the garden, where a focal point in the form of a sculpture of specimen plant can be cited in time.To see more drawings please visit the full article at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/generalchitchat/creating-a-family-graden-in-wallington-oxford-with-a-contemporary-twist">http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/generalchitchat/creating-a-family-graden-in-wallington-oxford-with-a-contemporary-twist</a></div>