Hi there fellow bloggers! Feels like ages since my last blog update, suppose I had a busier year last year than expected. I promise to commit to more regular updates and posts from this day forward.
2011 and so mush to look forward to! Not only am I starting to make some differences in my lifestyle (as we all do at this notorious time of year) but also starting new and exciting projects lined up. One such project is House Coetzee.
Upon first impression, I immediately fell in love with the house built in classical Victorian architecture. From sash windows, to the old-school Oregon pine flooring in the interiors. When it comes to this style of architecture, the landscaping has to balance the house in a perfect way.
Victorian houses are stately and bold but have a definitive femininity to them with a romantic style. The art of combining masculine elements with the feminine detail, the Yin and the Yang if you may, is what sets this style apart.
In the Victorian era (mid to late 19th century), class, prosperity and development was key. When it came to the landscape surrounding these bold buildings, the romantic theme was carried forward. These gardens were, and sometimes to this day are immaculate, elaborate yet classic and elegant.
Today’s day and age has had it’s toll on the style. And sadly architect after architect tried to copy the style as it became quite fashionable. The demand for these houses became large, and spread their way across the globe. And even here in South Africa, they mark the age where British immigrants made their stamp in this country.
The demand for space in Cape Town turned these once elaborate and grand buildings into split units, post-stamp sized properties and with no proportion to scale whatsoever. Such is the ordeal of the project I’m currently facing. The backyard is sized at about 100m² turning it into a huge design dilemma. You simply cannot capture the essence of the architecture with a tiny garden like that. The only real alternative is to go about it the same way the architects used to in that era, bold structure, with a soft touch.
People tend to believe that when they have a small garden, everything has to be scaled down, from miniature plants, small sized paving tiles, hundreds of pots and sometimes, god-forbid, a collection of garden gnomes! (Sorry mom – I know you’re into your “collectables”)
In fact it’s quite the opposite that applies. When you rather use one large pot, it makes much more of a statement than a selection would. This means bold structure, and over-the-top planting.
Iv'e attached the concept plan for the back garden to show just how these elements could be captured in a small garden. Enjoy the updates!
2011 and so mush to look forward to! Not only am I starting to make some differences in my lifestyle (as we all do at this notorious time of year) but also starting new and exciting projects lined up. One such project is House Coetzee.
Upon first impression, I immediately fell in love with the house built in classical Victorian architecture. From sash windows, to the old-school Oregon pine flooring in the interiors. When it comes to this style of architecture, the landscaping has to balance the house in a perfect way.
Victorian houses are stately and bold but have a definitive femininity to them with a romantic style. The art of combining masculine elements with the feminine detail, the Yin and the Yang if you may, is what sets this style apart.
In the Victorian era (mid to late 19th century), class, prosperity and development was key. When it came to the landscape surrounding these bold buildings, the romantic theme was carried forward. These gardens were, and sometimes to this day are immaculate, elaborate yet classic and elegant.
Today’s day and age has had it’s toll on the style. And sadly architect after architect tried to copy the style as it became quite fashionable. The demand for these houses became large, and spread their way across the globe. And even here in South Africa, they mark the age where British immigrants made their stamp in this country.
The demand for space in Cape Town turned these once elaborate and grand buildings into split units, post-stamp sized properties and with no proportion to scale whatsoever. Such is the ordeal of the project I’m currently facing. The backyard is sized at about 100m² turning it into a huge design dilemma. You simply cannot capture the essence of the architecture with a tiny garden like that. The only real alternative is to go about it the same way the architects used to in that era, bold structure, with a soft touch.
People tend to believe that when they have a small garden, everything has to be scaled down, from miniature plants, small sized paving tiles, hundreds of pots and sometimes, god-forbid, a collection of garden gnomes! (Sorry mom – I know you’re into your “collectables”)
In fact it’s quite the opposite that applies. When you rather use one large pot, it makes much more of a statement than a selection would. This means bold structure, and over-the-top planting.
Iv'e attached the concept plan for the back garden to show just how these elements could be captured in a small garden. Enjoy the updates!
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