Thoughts from the edge, Design Eden

2010-08-16T21:45:00.001-07:00

http://kent.greatbritishlife.co.uk/community/blogs/detail/where-we-are-at-the-moment-14th-august-2010/id/2211/

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Early summer working update - Community | Kent Life

2010-06-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Early summer working update - Community | Kent Life

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Dunkirk, Coastal Forces, the sea, remembrance and celebration - Community | Kent Life

2010-05-12T03:41:00.000-07:00

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Dunkirk, Coastal Forces, the sea, remembrance and celebration - Community | Kent Life

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Trip to France - Community | Kent Life

2010-04-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Trip to France - Community | Kent Life

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Big art in the North of England, big horse play in Kent? - Community | Kent Life

2010-04-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Garden, environment and architecture enthusiast, Andrew Fenney's blog - Big art in the North of England, big horse play in Kent? - Community | Kent Life

Working in France March 2010

2010-04-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well we are finally into what we hope is Spring, although it is still cold. Anyway at last people seem to waking up and starting to plan for the year ahead.

Last week I worked in the South of France, in a medieval village Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac and this is in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, and wonderful part of France that is reminiscent of Tuscany, full of Vines and Italian Cypress.

We traveled through the night and arrived early in the morning. Driving in France is so easy as it has a huge road network, apparently the second largest in the world after the USA!

The terrace area and garden was in quite a state after a long cold and wet winter. We were told that it had not stopped raining in this region of France since the first of January. With only three days of working and a poor weather forecast what I could achieve was down to damage limitation. In the end I got to only spend two days in the garden and then worked around the house, due to heavy rain. My client lets out the property on long lets throughout the spring and summer and now through high demand will probably also let through the winter.

My client runs courses in healing and well being and also lets out the house, details can be found on: http://www.yourlifeshealing.com/index.htm

I try whenever possible to ascertain the location of wild orchids on the land. When I first found out about them upon location I surrounded them with stones to stop the local gardeners from srimming them into oblivion, I can now locate approximately at least 10 on the site.

The main area was just starting to grow and was not as overrun as I had seen it in the past, however it is still daunting when you have a limited time to tackle the problem.

The stones would look wonderful in a Japanese garden, especially one planned for Ramsgate. I think that I I might have a bit of trouble getting them out of the ground, still I am working on this.

Still I had to plod on with the work and do what I could do in the circumstance. I didn't take photos of the painting that I did inside the house. Probably just as well as it is not my strong point.

Photos below show the local area.

Well here's to my next visit in October when at least I will get a reasonable amount of time to get things done.

On the way back home we drove across the Massif Central to visit my clients friends in the Charente-Maritime area on our way home and learned how to play cards again, so in fact I circumnavigated the whole of France in a week.

View of the mountain region.

Walk at Reculver, Kent 17th Jan 2010

2010-01-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

I am getting bogged down with the winter blues, and it was so great to get out and go for a walk in the sun. And on this the first sunny day since January the 1st, we had the ability to get out and enjoy the countryside bathed in decent light.

I have been to Reculver for quick visits but had never walked around the area for a prolonged period of time. It is of course an imposing, powerful and distinct focal point of the area and it can be seen easily along the coast from many different places. Whitstable to Margate.

The twin 12th-century towers of the ruined church stand amid the remains of an important Roman 'Saxon Shore' fort and a Saxon monastery.

This photo show the view along the coast to Herne Bay and Whitstable

View across Roman Fort area towards the Church towers and wind farm

Path Between the farmers fields and oyster farm

New Year walk Broadstairs & Deal, Kent

2010-01-04T04:53:00.000-08:00

What a dramatic day the 1st of January was. I am putting up some of my shots of sea and sky and other things as captured on a walk on cold day.

Broadstairs, Viking Bay

Kent is a county of great variety of terrain, wild seas and great light. I am always intrigued by the variety that is found across the area.

Deal fishing boats and Pier

I have been photographing landscapes as an inspiration and for reference for painting water colours. I am just venturing into this area and I am teaching myself, although I should really try to get some lessons.

Walmer fishing boats

Deal Pier

Ibiza, Sperm Whales 03/09

2009-12-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

I said sometime ago that I would return to my Ibiza trip in March, and I felt that it was a good time on a gloomy December day to look back at the incredible sight that we had, while sitting waiting to watch a stunning sunset.

This gives an indication of how high we were, above the sea level on a cliff overlooking the sea towards Spain. Probably the clearest sky I have ever seen in Ibiza, and the sunsets at the best of times are pretty spectacular there.

I love the terrain here and the natural bonsai pines growing out of the rocks are an inspiration to me.

It was at this point in time while looking out to see and waiting for the sunset, that I looked down at the sea and saw:

I hope you can see this. It was a long way down to the sea!

We found out later that Sperm Whales had been seen around the island. We saw about three Whales in the pod, we think. But it was certainly the end to a perfect day.

Stodmarsh, Kent

2009-12-10T05:18:00.000-08:00

If I ever needed to look for a good as to why we moved to Kent, this is just one of them. Difficult to find but well worth the effort and so close to Canterbury. The place is full of bird watchers who in the main do not seem to want to communicate, as it is a bit of a solitary hobby. We always take our binoculars ans see lots of birds, not quite sure what they all are. We did see a Marsh Harrier in the distance.

Flocks of Lapwings, coming in to land on the marshes

Amazing reed beds that give cover for birds.

This is a picture from one of the hides for birdwatching.

I am using these images as inspiration for me to produce some watercolour paintings. I am trying to teach myself to paint. I doubt if they will make it to the blog as it may put off readers looking forever. Environments like this do provide me with inspiration for gardens. The intensity of solid monotone colour is excellent.

Japanese Garden Society

2009-11-22T03:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I attended the AGM of the South East Area (UK) of the Japanese Garden Society.
A comprehensive and quick AGM, (These can be so tedious) followed by two excellent talks on a members garden and ferns.
Excellent value for money, informative and friendly. If you have an interest in this type of garden style then I suggest you consider joining.

The society publishes an informative, member only quarterly journal, "Shakkei" that is professionally produced to a high standard.

Brief Garden - Bevis Bawa. Sri Lanka October 2007

2009-11-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

These are a few shots of the Brief Garden, created by Geoffrey Bawa in Bentota Sri Lanka.
The garden was at the home of the creator and is without a doubt one of the most simple but pure examples of how a perfect spiritual garden should look. If you want to see some excellent photographs (It is always grey when I visit gardens) of the garden please look at Dominic Sansoni's blog site and look at the three blind men photo link. Wonderful!!!

The garden has a unique quality and in style could be associated with great gardens of England, Spain and Japan. But in truth it has a magical quality that is unique to its own setting.

The Garden feature strong architectural elements that create perceptions that the garden is on large scale when in reality it is quite small. The garden house a number of exquisite sculptures that are scattered around the garden.

The garden also hosts wonderful wildlife visitors ranging from Eagles to spectacular coloured lizards

The reptile was on the ear of the horse! I will return to the garden later with more images.

Sailing in Falmouth Harbour 09/2008

2009-11-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

My first sailing experience, in the middle of a Falmouth Fishing boat race. Excellent experience.

Happy as it is possible to be!

Chiddingstone Castle

2009-11-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

I have recently been involved, as a volunteer member of the design team for the proposed Japanese Stroll Garden at Chiddingstone Castle, Edenbridge, Kent. The site lends itself to perfectly integrate a garden of this nature, as it has all the fundamental necessities, the lake, bridges, the woods and the rolling terrain. The Castle has an incredible history, far to detailed to go into here (please see link to the Castle website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk) and has strong links with Japan by having one of the best antique armour and sword collections in the country.

Working with the project co-ordinator and garden designer Marie Jackson. My role has been to take Marie's original concept ideas and turn them into suitable drawings to present for fundraising.

The proposal includes the introduction of a complete Tea House & Garden that will have views across the lake towards an existing Victorian waterfall and across to Chiddingstone Village and the Chiding Stone.

Part of the Stroll Garden Proposal will be to introduce a new Ornamental Cherry Garden to attract further visitors to the Castle in spring for the blossom viewing.

Central London - Granite benches

2009-11-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

August 2008
This the result of a project where I designed and then installed four granite benches, to replace some poor quality marble benches in St. Christophers Place, Central London.

The benches are designed to be light enough to be dismantled and then stored at Christmas so that a Christmas tree can be erected in this area.

Ibiza - photos 03/09

2009-11-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Just a few shots of Ibiza in spring. Wonderful place to go at this time of the year. Spring flowers, comfortable temperatures, whales!

I will get on to that later, but for now just a few shots of Es Vedra in the mist.

And the countryside, stunning.

Ibiza - garden

2009-11-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

In June this year, I was pulled in as part of a team to tidy up the garden of this original finca in Ibiza. The finca is built around a medieval tower that was used as a defence against pirates for the community of the area. It was great fun working with the locals.

You can see from the photo how prominent the tower is in this location, The pines grow like weeds.

This is a cleared area showing the wonderful views over the farmland at the back of the site.

I even got to prune huge Orange trees, odd when I am more used to Bonsai and Japanese styled pruning. Still good fun. The fresh oranges taste great too! I am hoping that this will turn in to a larger project where I can fully use my skills!

Japanese style addition to front garden Enfield

2009-11-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

This is a design for a rock feature and planting to an existing area of a front garden and drive.

I apologise in advance for my poor sketching ability, but this is something that I am working on. It can only get better with practice.

Commercial project - Installation of large bamboos

2009-11-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

This was an installation of the three large bamboos into an atrium area in an office block in Lower Regent Street. Installation carried out in January 2007.

The Bamboos had to be shipped specially from Spain and stood between 5 to 6 Metres high. The bamboo are Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis'. The actual planters used are 900 cube fibreglass planters with sealed tank irrigation.

Photos of the completed installation

Photo Time - September 2008

2009-10-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

Photo of metal man, sea and dog. Anthony Gormley statues Crosby, Liverpool

Fantastic!

Commercial property London WC1 - Courtyard Garden

2009-10-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

2008. This area was added to the add value to a commercial space in central London in order to attract possible tenants by using an open well area at the rear of the property. The area is a basement area and generally dark so lighting and the use of shade tolerant planting was required. The planters were all glass fibre and are meant are laid out to shiled the rear mounted wall uplighters and to screen the existing AC units. (CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW AT LARGER SCALE AND THEN PRESS THE BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE BLOG)

The tables and chairs were supplied to provide a cafe type feel, to again attract the occupants to use the space.

Photos showing the completed project.

Japanese Garden Chobham

2009-10-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is a design for a new Japanese Courtyard style garden.

The Garden is at the rear of an attractive Edwardian House that is internally being restored in a very sympathetic manner. The deck is proposed to be cedar with an oak pergola over the top.

The Japanese had strong cultural influence on the Architects of the Edwardian period so this is great opportunity to assimilate styles. Click on the image to view and then go to the back button to return to the blog.

My place in the world

2009-10-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

Wow! it is so long since I last added info to my Blog site that it looks as if I have been on another planet. My wife and I decided that our days of living in London had come to an end and we decided that it was time to live by the sea. Less traffic and agro all round, room to park and a larger garden. All within a few minutes walk from the sea. Sometimes it gets crowded on the beach and we meet another couple, but in the main it is just the two of us plus the dog. This was over two years ago! Now seems like a good time to catch up.

So now I had better get on with updating the site with what has been going on at the business end of things. However I may still from time to time drift into the virtues of country living and may also throw in a few photos of interest.

Roof terrace Westminster, London

2007-03-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

This is a new roof terrace where I am carrying out the planting installation and final garden design. These are the design details. It includes the introduction of a green roof sedum roof system cover the existing new felt roof.

Design for decked area and water feature garden Twickenham

2007-02-24T22:19:00.000-08:00

This is a design for a deck area to a modern all glass extension in Twickenham. The initial idea was to feature a large single rock feature in the deck. Due to the requirements of the clients budget we omitted the Rock feature, changed the deck to Cedar and postponed the installation of the water feature.

Strawberry Hill, Twickenham - Civic Pride Project

2007-02-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

This is a design scheme that I prepared for the local residents association in an area that has been neglected for some time. The work was executed by a local contractor. And when it has settled in I will post some photographs of the installation.

Pool and terrace design Dorset

2006-12-11T22:35:00.000-08:00

Stepped terrace with swimming pool and spa design on a spectacular site.

Garden Studio Twickenham

2006-11-16T04:36:00.000-08:00

Design proposed for a new garden studio workshop in Twickenham. To provide a japanese influenced pavilion building with oversailing roof and decked terrace. All timber construction with cedar shingle roof, larch cladding and cedar decking.

Repair to tree Twickenham

2006-07-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

I had to go back to attend to a Cercis that although we had staked it quite high (A method that I normally avoid) had drooped significantly, largely due to not having a strong enough stem and also due to the weight of the new growth. I tried to work out how to do this but largely drew a blank.
I took advice from an highly experienced plantsman and we both agreed that the best thing would be to cut the tree down, pollarding in effect. When I turned up on site to explain this to the client he had propped the tree up with a broom from his metal fence.
At this point I then felt that supporting the tree with a bamboo frame also from the framed from the fence would hold the tree upright, I then balanced the tree out but cutting off some of the new growth. Lets hope that this now allows the tree to grow and mature successfully.

Hampstead Japanese garden maintenance

2006-07-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Photos of a very nice Japanese garden in Hampstead that I carry out maintenance of the trees and visit twice a year. I will be carrying out some modification work at the entrance later in the year.

Farmboy leaves the team

2006-07-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

Sad to say that the farmboy could not resist the call of the country and has returned to his roots. Probably the sight of this tractor drew him back. Anyway we wish him well for the future.

Design for Garden Nottingham

2006-06-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting site, triangular and running uphill. The brief was to create a contemporary design creating distinct areas and surprises within the garden. Providing screening from overlooking from neighbours house. Introducing water, areas to entertain. The distinct view is from inside the house to the tree at the tree and beyond this to the open wooded area beyond.

Garden Richmond upon Thames

2006-06-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

This is a garden that I designed last year and due to budgetary constraints we installed the front garden and the decking in the rear garden but held of until the client was ready to complete the works.

The client had a clear understanding of how he wanted the planting to be carried out being primarily topiary plants in painted pots. We are now installing irrigation to the front and rear gardens, completing the hard landscaping to the rear garden including a large granite set circular seating area and installing willow screens around the perimeter.

japanese garden Hackney, East london current photos

2006-06-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

We have been carrying out alterations to the 'roca' over the deck area and have added to this a shingle roof to improve the weather protection. I have also added a photo of the garden from a different angle, unusually this is in the sun.

Twickenham courtyard garden update

2006-06-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been quiet with postings over the past few weeks. I have a number of new projects on the go and have been finishing off others. Photos below of the courtyard garden complete apart from the clients cushions that she is preparing.
I cant wait to see the final result and to get some night shots.

Photo's above prior to planting.

Photo's above after planting

Japanese garden Hackney, East london current photos

2006-05-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

My current photo's of the garden now the Azalea's have flowered. Apart form the white flowered plants.

The Moss is not doing to well as the birds have been stealing it to build there nests. We will just need to be patient and wait for it to develop. I am trying to grow some for the future but it is not easy!

The garden is based upon the my clients wifes family garden in japan. His wife’s family is a Saki producer and the family business is “Tsuji Honten” and this is in the town of Katsuyama in the prefecture of Okayama. The house and garden have stood on the same site for over 200 years. So our garden has some way to go before it develops the maturity and ‘Sabi’ of the original. The Landscaped area of the garden is 14 x 20 feet and the whole garden is 14 x 36 feet.

I will photograph the garden again after the Azalea's are clipped following flowering. I will also be introducing some Iris "ensata" and hopefully a cloud pruned tree.

South of France

2006-05-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well we had a hard working holiday in the South of France. The site was heavily overgrown and we had to clear all the wood that I had cut down last year. We took a chipper shredder with us, building tools and items for the client like new doors, pictures, screens and glass. We borrowed a horse box to carry all the materials and tools.
On arrival we were dissapointed to find that the French builders who are in the middle of building an extension adjacent to our clients land had not completed what they had supposed to and this left us unable to work on the terraces adjacent to my clients house. We carried out site clearance, internal repairs, prepared areas for planting and built the seating areas.

My client is going to use the house and grounds to provide workshops for personal development, art and healing. Therfore we are trying to develop areas where people can sit, meet, reflect and take in the views of the site. To this end we created the seat nestled in the rocks at the top of the site and created a quiet area under a pergola to to provide shade.
While in this area and being very close to Anduze we visited the finest Bamboo garden in Europe, La Bambouseraie. We worked for seven days with one day off in the middle of the period for a break.

You can see below how the site looked towards the end of the period

Area using natural rock formation and new introductions to prepare an area for later planting. We were advised at the local nursery to plant in the Autumn as it was now moving in to the hot period.

Cleared area

Seat made out of one piece Beech bench cut to follow the contours of the rock face

Pergola area to provide shade and quite area for treatment

Boys on the bench

On the way to the ferry home

France working in the Languedoc

2006-05-01T03:24:00.000-07:00

For the next two weeks I will be away with the team working in the South of France, on a large wild garden that I hope we will bring order to. If i get a chance i will update the site to show the progress or I will just do it on my return.

Twickenham low maintenance garden

2006-04-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is a garden that we completed a month or so ago. The space was quite confined as the it runs uphill and is only 6'/1.8metres wide at its narrowest point. Japanese influences are strong in the stone layout and planting. The tall fences are all wired for the climbing plants and will look quite powerful when they are established. The client tells me that the garden looks superb at night so I will be going along to photograph the garden at night.

Twickenham courtyard garden update

2006-04-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

Its nice when the decking starts to go down and create useable space. The client can then see the space develop.

We are now leaving to work in the South of France for the next two weeks, we left the site in as tidy a state as possible giving the client space to use. The deck is Ipe and is superb. Hard to lay and takes time to put down properly but the end result looks superb. We fix our hardwood decks with stainless steel screws and oli the deks to add further protection.

Twickenham terrace, water feature and decking

2006-04-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

Design for a terrace, water feature and large rock feature. Will look visually exciting.
Using hardwood decking built around the rock. I anticipate the rock will be at least a ton in weight. Should be interesting to instal.

Twickenham courtyard garden update

2006-04-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

Fences all up, walls all up, ready now for building decking steps and built in seats.

Home Garden

2006-04-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend was spent clearing my own garden. And apart from the fact that we can not clean the York stone paving due to the hose pipe ban it was a good start. The garden had been invaded badly by ground elder and this is a tough and difficult plant to remove. It does not even respond well to weedkiller. Anyway job done for the moment as it was all dug out. It will return, they say that one years growth of weed is five years misery. I will now be dealing with the other problems in the garden including replanning some of the beds.

Kingston upon Thames formal front garden

2006-04-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Formal front minimalist garden

Twickenham courtyard garden update

2006-04-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

First week on site carrying out the groundworks and installing retaining wall and perimeter fences. Short week due to Easter holidays and weather variable from sunshine, heavy rain and furious winds. Progress good considering conditions.
Next week we will be putting in the services and decking.

Twickenham courtyard garden

2006-04-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

This is a town garden that we are about to build.
We have made amendments to the scheme in order to meet the clients budget and this has been acheived. However this will have little effect on the overall look. The look is very modern and cosy with Willow screen walls, built in seating, hardwood decking, steel planters simple low maintenance planting

Drawing test 2

2006-04-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Ibiza - Makeover time

2006-04-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Once yearly maintenenance & makeover carried out on clients garden in Cala Vadella, Ibiza. What a job 20degrees plus in March.

Twickenham sweeping garden, deck and waterfall

2006-04-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

Little Japan in Hackney, East London

2006-04-05T05:23:00.000-07:00

New garden in Hackney based upon a three hundred year old family garden from West Japan. The Design and installation was a colaboration between the owner Mike Dean and designer Andrew Fenney to try to acheive in a short period of time a reflection of the Garden of Mike's wifes parents garden in Japan.
More photos to follow following flowering of Azaleas.