Garden Design Blogs - Grounding Notes

Image of Melanie Hick, landscape garden designer — Melanie Hick, landscape garden designer. Photo: Amber Hine.

Working with a landscape garden designer is a big investment and a very personal choice. Your garden is an extension of your home, and an investment akin to a home extension. Professional landscape garden designers know the value of good design, great landscaping and quality materials. My expertise gives you beautiful, soulful, useable spaces, and solutions to issues you may not have noticed. It is very important to me that you are happy with the landscape design service I offer, and the solutions I come up with for you. Here’s what clients say about me:

“We were delighted with our garden. Mel listened to the vague hand-waving about what we wanted and produced a design that was surprising, functional, stylish, and we couldn’t think how it could have been improved.

Mel recommended the Garden Tamers landscapers who have executed the whole thing professionally and beautifully.

The thoughtful planting topped it off, and has drawn admiration from our green-fingered friends.

As a result we have re-discovered the outdoor space out the back is a place for us to play/cook/relax and eat as a family.” - Michelle and Pete, Honor Oak Park, London.

“The best thing about working with Melanie was that she combines a close listening ear with fantastic creative flair. She took the time to really understand what we wanted, then took it to the next level with thoughtful, knowledgeable suggestions to realise our vision, and then some! She's created a space where we love to spend time as a family, and to entertain friends. Can't recommend her highly enough.” Remo, Bristol.

“Melanie is absolutely fantastic, and created a stunning garden for me and my family. She transformed a blank, new-build terrace into a lush garden that is inviting (and low-maintenance) year round. So delighted.” T Barnes.

“Mel's vision for how her clients want to live in their garden & make the most of it, is inspiring to watch. As an interior designer, I strive for the same outcomes. She gets how incredible a finished project can be when we take the time to come together & plan for how the indoor & outdoor spaces interact. I can't wait to work with Mel again!” Sarah Eagle, interior designer.

"We had the challenge of a slope and dry conditions. Melanie had fantastic and practical ideas to help develop our garden and make it a place where I could carry on gardening myself. Melanie knew exactly the style of garden I wanted and implemented and interwove my vision with her knowledge and design. She's always on hand to talk about new ideas and how I can evolve my garden to the next step.” Susannah, regional Victoria, Australia.

“Our whole experience with Melanie had been great. She really listened to what we wanted, and created a garden which we are absolutely thrilled with. Each stage was carefully checked with us from the plan to the materials to the plants!” Anna, Crystal Palace, London.

“I loved the experience of working with Melanie. She has a great eye for plants, lots of creative ideas on how to make the most of a garden and even gave me several options for different budgets. The other thing I really appreciated was how clear and structured the process was - she gave very definite instructions around what she needed from me and when and what she would deliver with a clear timeframe on that. I would highly recommend her for projects of all sizes as you’ll have a garden you will enjoy for years.” Emma, Warminster.

“We reached out to Melanie to transform our large family garden and make sense of two levels. In response to a long list of desirables she was able to deliver a masterplan that we can build in stages over time. The first stage is now built and we're so happy with the transformation it has made for our family. We've got a beautiful new entertaining space that we're using all the time and has completely changed the way our home and garden connect to each other. Communication was easy and brilliant throughout the project, and Melanie was an absolute pleasure to work with.” Catherine and James, Sydenham, London.

“Melanie came up with a wonderful design for our small garden. We had strong ideas and wanted it to feel like another room to our home and give it a lush, evergreen feel. Her design was spot on and we love how it turned out. It’s meant we’ve had a new space that we’ve used all summer to entertain in. She introduced us to quality landscapers who helped bring it to life. Her relationship and communication with them meant the job was done with care and attention to detail.” Helena, Forest Hill, London.

Garden design consultations are a great way to get the best out of your landscape garden designer, so many clients take this lighter option. Here’s what they have to say.

“I had an hour-consultation with Melanie and it was super helpful. We went through all my questions and dilemma I had for a front garden refurbishment and design. Melanie was able to advise exactly which plants I should use, how to maintain them and how to plant them accordingly.” Emilie Fournet Interiors.