The house is an elevated riverside dwelling on Eel Pie Island with a large garden accessed off the main path, with a direct path leading to a timber covered walkway for the houseboat berths and to the front door.

The clients requested a sociable vibe led garden to reflect quirky and artistic nature of the island and its rich history. It has to sit well with the unique timber house and take design inspiration from the building as well as separate the ‘public’ access path from the private garden. They also requested ivy as it’s mentioned in the house name, but there is none in the garde!

The solution was to create a long deck running along the far side of the garden mirroring the patterns on the house and allowing space for a sunken trampoline, sauna, ice bath and seating in the sun. The dining area is nestled in the shade of the existing trees with paths leading around the garden to the concealed cooking area. There is a tall hedge around the entire garden for privacy and to attract wildlife. The planting is soft, wild and unmanicured with an abundance of native wildflowers, arching grasses and ivy to cover the fences and provide year round shelter, food and nesting spots for birds and insects.