Think back to your favorite book. The introduction drew you in, you followed the key characters with interest as the story was woven through a series of events and in the final chapter you were left feeling…..what? Surprise because there was an unexpected plot twist that you didn't see coming? Contentment as you read the satisfying 'happy-ever after'? Perhaps you just wanted to sit in that final chapter for a while, soaking in all the unified threads, not ready to move on just yet because you had identified with it all in some way? In the final part of this mini design series we'll look at how to tell your garden's closing chapter. This will be some sort of destination within your garden – the main entertaining patio, or a simple bench overlooking a view. The style and colors might be a complete surprise, or make you laugh. Or it could be a final knitting together of all the garden elements revealed up to that point. So often garden seating areas are just a generic space for furniture with little consideration given to how that space will make you feel, yet the choice of materials, shapes, styles and color all play an important role as we bring our garden story to a close. Here are a few ideas for inspiration.

Surprise!

1. Hidden in plain sight

When I designed this front garden for our daughter and her family, the primary objective was to create a private sitting area in the front garden. It's been fun to watch this mature. although truthfully we are now at the 10 year 'editing' phase as the sun/ shade balance has shifted.  From the street there is only a glimpse of the sitting area but the neighbors enjoy the foliage-focused plantings. The discovery of a family sized patio with colorful patio furniture, containers and artistic details is always a surprise to first time visitors, as small spaces rarely afford the opportunity to hide anything, let alone a patio!

2. Double take

Placing chairs or a bench beneath a wide spreading tree is not a new idea. Yet one wouldn't expect to see those chairs painted in a wild animal motif in the heart of rural Pennsylvania!  Chanticleer is known and loved for its artistic details, but this vignette shows that they also like to have fun.

Happily Ever After

1. Tying it all together

The Chelsea show garden shown above is a beautiful example of carefully weaving all the details together. Color echoes between foliage, flowers and hardscape materials create a unified theme while the elevated patio offers a clear destination and conclusion to this charming story. It seems to be the quintessential 'happy ever after'. Had the pergola been black, or made of wood that connection would have been lost. Details matter.

2. Sit back and soak it all in

Personally I love a good story that ends with a sense of reflection. The sitting area at East Ruston Old Vicarage garden shown above feels like the perfect ending to a remarkable story. It is generously proportioned, the hardscape clearly defines the space while the furniture materials connect to the weathered greenhouse whose open doors extend an invitation to linger. It looks like the perfect spot to share thoughts about the garden with a friend over a cup of tea.

3. Quiet connection

Have you ever visited a garden that literally moved you to tears? I certainly have – most recently at Omaio in New Zealand. I can't even really explain it in words except that I somehow connected to that sense of place deep in my soul. After experiences like that I need to sit quietly and reflect; allow the moment to speak to me. Perhaps you would like to create such an ending to your garden story? Can you add a single chair or small bench overlooking a view, or set within a meadow, or perhaps adjacent to a small fountain? Somewhere that you can listen to the wind and the birds and reflect on the story you have woven together?

Reading More Garden Stories

I discover so many design ideas when visiting  gardens. Sometimes it's the way a familiar material has been used in an unexpected way. Sometimes its a color palette. Often it's the organization of a space. Look for local garden events this season and start a notebook of ideas. At the very least add captions to your cell phone images that highlights what appealed to you.

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