Explore the hidden charm of a secluded beachside garden, complete with a personal dock, situated in the UK's priciest neighborhood.
In the picturesque county of Dorset, England, a modern seaside house boasts a contemporary coastal garden that seamlessly blends with the surrounding landscape. The garden, designed by Helen Elks-Smith, covers an area of 790 square metres and is located near Europe's largest natural harbour, Poole Harbour.
The garden's design prioritises local materials, such as timber, limestone, lime plaster, and terracotta, to mirror the surrounding landscapes and create a serene, textural, and sustainable outdoor environment. The house, designed to settle quietly into the landscape, occupies half of the garden area, including the drive.
The garden's colour and texture choices reflect the local environment, with hardy, drought- and salt-tolerant plants thriving in coastal conditions. Ornamental grasses, mediterranean herbs, and coastal shrubs are common features, though specific plant lists were not detailed in this case.
The unique character of Poole Harbour is emphasised in the garden's design, with the garden's planting strong and simple, designed to withstand the restless winds and constantly changing light. The garden creates a sense of journey from the house to the sea, helping the house blend in such a way that it is almost unnoticeable from certain views across Poole Harbour.
The climate in the area is generally frost-free but can be fiercely windy. The owner, Stephanie Atkins, appreciates the garden's ability to make one feel they are in Poole Harbour. She emphasises that the house should blend with the landscape rather than be a statement.
Designers like Katerina, who created a Mediterranean-inspired garden at RHS Hampton Court using natural materials and a smart, layered planting approach, and architectural firms including Architecture for London, which is noted for contemporary coastal house refurbishment in Dorset, are often associated with such projects. Although no single project titled explicitly as "a contemporary coastal garden around a modern seaside house in Dorset" was found with full plant lists, these insights from recent Dorset coastal garden designs and projects reflect common themes, plants, materials, and designers working in this region and style.
Some parts of the garden have pockets of sticky clay, while the soil in the garden is mainly free-draining greensand. The designers emphasise spacious, sociable areas with soft, textured planting that complements the coastal context and enhances the connection to the sea. The garden's design is a testament to the harmony between modern design and the natural coastal environment.
- The coastal garden in Dorset, designed by Helen Elks-Smith, incorporates various plants like ornamental grasses, mediterranean herbs, and coastal shrubs that thrive in the region's salty and drought-resistant conditions.
- The garden's layout prioritizes local materials such as timber, limestone, lime plaster, and terracotta, reflecting the surrounding landscape and fostering a sustainable lifestyle.
- Katerina, known for her Mediterranean-inspired garden design, and Architecture for London, which specializes in contemporary coastal house refurbishment, are often involved in projects similar to the modern seaside house with its blending coastal garden in Dorset.
- The contemporary coastal garden acts as a bridge between the house and the sea, creating a seamless transition while emphasizing the unique character of the Poole Harbour landscape.
