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."

"NFU are very exensive but are very good when it comes to making a claim apparently... but hopefully never have to. I was looking for a combined policy to cover all insurances but according to my broker there isnt one so I end up paying a broker fee…"

"Agree with you Graham, we have a client with a long run of Laurel which we only cut once a year mid june and have done for over 20 years, the client is fussy with a capital F ! It's a superb evergreen hedge which is bomb proof.
As to this so called…"

"Disagree there! I maintain a site with a couple of of large laurel hedges and one cut in July suffices and keeps it looking nice. Agree.... looks nasty immediately after cutting but quickly perks up so you don't notice the cut leaves. Pretty much…"

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

This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

LJN Blog Posts

Garden Design: Getting It Wrong!!

Comments

Highlighted blog posts

The Landscape Juice Network's Aims and Objectives

What to charge for garden services and maintenance uk

A Quick Reminder to Talk

Britmow 2020

Diversity in the Horticulture Industry

Sherriff the root to success at Milford GC

Note: this page contains paid content.

Open forum activity

Instant hedging

MAKITA ADDS TWO XGT HEDGE TRIMMERS TO ITS GROWING RANGE

Weibang 53 SSD or Weibang 53 ASD BBC or Honda HRX 537?

Moss and algae on hard surfaces

Note: this page contains paid content.

More on LJN

Featured business articles

About LJN