Contemporary Outdoor Living Garden The Fire Terrace
Project Story
A sequence of generous outdoor rooms gives The Fire Terrace its rhythm. Stone terraces, herringbone detailing and a sculptural fireplace create a strong contemporary framework, while layered planting, paddle stone walling, a garden building and hot tub retreat soften the garden into a private setting for family life and evening entertaining.
Project Gallery
The challenge, our solution and our approach
The Challenge
The brief was to turn a long, open plot into a series of usable outdoor rooms without losing a sense of space. The clients wanted areas for entertaining, relaxing and gathering around fire, alongside a planting scheme that felt immersive and abundant yet remained structured and maintainable. With neighbouring properties close by, privacy and a strong sense of enclosure were also key.
Our Solution
We designed the garden as a deliberate sequence of outdoor rooms, each terrace stepping naturally into the next to create a strong sense of journey. From the main terrace at the house, the space rises to a dedicated dining terrace, before moving again to a lounge setting anchored by the outdoor fireplace. A final sun lounging terrace completes the hard landscaped route, offering a quieter spot to unwind. From here, the layout softens as stepping stones lead across the lawn, drawing you through the planting and onwards to the garden building and hot tub retreat. Crisp herringbone detailing adds crafted moments within the paving, while layered, naturalistic planting and timber screening provide softness, privacy and seasonal texture, finished with paddle stone walling as a tactile endpoint.
In Detail
Our Approach
An outdoor fireplace changes the way a garden is used. For this 180 sqm contemporary garden in North London, the centrepiece fire anchors an entertaining area that extends the living space of the home well beyond its walls. The design creates a series of interconnected zones using changes in material and level, each flowing into the next while maintaining its own distinct atmosphere.
Herringbone clay paving provides the textural foundation, its warm tones and handcrafted feel contrasting with the clean lines of the contemporary hardscape. Silver birch groves introduce vertical interest and dappled shade, while layered perennial planting softens the boundaries and builds seasonal depth. The result is a garden that feels established and generous, despite the constraints of an urban plot.
We design London gardens with the same ambition and material quality as our larger rural commissions. If you are considering a garden project in North London, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help.
The services behind this garden: Garden Construction · Garden Design · Outdoor Living · Planting Design · Wellness Gardens
BALI National Landscape Award
National Award Winner, £100k to £250k
The Transformation
Complete Garden Transformation
The Build
From groundworks to the final finishing touches.
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Site Preparation & Clearance
Complete clearance of the existing garden, including removal of old paving and tired planting. Ground preparation and level adjustments to create the foundation for the new design.
2 weeks
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Hardscaping & Structure
Installation of herringbone clay pavers, large format porcelain patio, and dry stone walling. Construction of the bespoke outdoor fireplace and cedar fencing.
5 weeks
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Planting Design
Introduction of multi-stem silver birch trees, layered perennial planting beds featuring ornamental grasses and verbena, and structural evergreen hedging.
3 weeks
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Finishing Touches
Installation of contemporary outdoor furniture, integrated lighting scheme, and final planting adjustments to ensure immediate impact.
2 weeks
Project Details
Paving & Surfaces
- Herringbone clay pavers
- Large format porcelain paving
- Dry stone walling
- Steel edging details
Planting
- Multi-stem silver birch (Betula utilis)
- Verbena bonariensis
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Ornamental grasses
- Stipa
- Calamagrostis
- Structural evergreen hedging
- Layered perennial beds
- Seasonal bulb planting
Features
- Bespoke outdoor fireplace
- Cedar privacy fencing
- Contemporary outdoor furniture
- Integrated lighting scheme
Sustainability
- Permeable paving solutions
- Pollinator-friendly planting
- LED energy-efficient lighting
- Drought-tolerant species
Begin Your Journey
Every great garden begins with a conversation. Let’s talk about yours.