Small Garden In Cabinteely

Leafy Garden With Water Feature in Rush

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Rush, Co. Dublin

The original concept for this garden came from Oliver Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery in Rathfarnham. The clients knew of his reputation for very natural and sustainable planting concepts. My clients also wished to extend their rear garden into an adjacent plot which they had recently acquired and to integrate a painting studio into the concept. The new studio is surrounded by lush woodland planting with a water feature starting at the house, flowing with numerous cascades down to a main pond at the rear of the garden. The new section of garden was significantly lower than the existing garden but by importing a large amount of soil and introducing a drainage system the split levels were softened and the height difference became an important aspect of the new design. The photos show the garden only two years later both in spring and autumn. The growth-rate of the plants after such a short period of time indicates how the garden will mature in years to come. Eventually the garden will look and feel as if it had developed naturally over a much longer period of time. The original concept for this garden came from Oliver Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery in Rathfarnham. The clients knew of his reputation for very natural and sustainable planting ...

Kitchen Garden In Dublin City

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin

Our customer wanted a garden that for relaxing, but they also wanted to be able to grow plants, flowers and vegetables. We created a garden that has a modern feel, but uses very natural materials and works well as a traditional kitchen garden. The design process inspired several features that worked really well. We extended the roofs of the two small sheds at the rear of the garden so that they met in the middle. This created a sheltered area, perfect for rainy days. A water feature adds impact and brightens up a dark area of the garden which is bordered by walls, an idea that was proposed by Oliver Shurman of Venus Nurseries. And for the gardeners, there are two large planting bed which provide plenty of fresh vegetable and salads. Our customer wanted a garden that for relaxing, but they also wanted to be able to grow plants, flowers and vegetables. We created a garden that has a modern feel, but uses very ...

Small Garden In Cabinteely

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin

The first time I saw this garden it was dominated by a decked area, shed and a climbing frame. The deck was only slightly higher than the rest of the garden. However, it was surrounded by a balustrade which added to the overcrowded feeling. My two clients had different ideas for the garden. One wanted to pave the whole area and the other client wanted a lawn. The plan I came up with satisfied them both and they were very happy with the finished garden. The trick to giving the feeling of space in quite a small garden is to keep forms and materials simple. The shape of the lawn makes it look bigger despite being very a little area. We used as much of the existing plants in the garden and supplemented with some ground covering plants and colourful perennials. The first time I saw this garden it was dominated by a decked area, shed and a climbing frame. The deck was only slightly higher than the rest of the garden. However, it was surrounded ...

Bloom 2008 Medium Garden Medal Winner

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin

The design concept in this garden was about almost hiding the structure within the planting. It feels as if a garden has been carved from a natural nook with a stream gently flowing through it. Two curved patios emerge from the planting as if dropped from above, linked by a bridge over water. A curved lava block wall adds tones of an ancient Japanese ruins. The design concept in this garden was about almost hiding the structure within the planting. It feels as if a garden has been carved from a natural nook with a stream gently flowing ...

Templeogue Garden With Natural Planting

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Templeogue, Co. Dublin

This garden was a wide, long site, completely blank other than an existing patio. My design concept was to break this space up and create a very natural garden. In this way, the harsh boundaries lines would be softened and the garden would look larger as an added benefit. We created a raised area in the middle of the garden using large boulders and flat stepping stones. This created a secluded area at the rear of the garden with a peaceful space for relaxing. This garden was a wide, long site, completely blank other than an existing patio. My design concept was to break this space up and create a very natural garden. In this way, the ...

Dalkey Garden With Unusual Shape

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Dalkey, Co. Dublin

This garden was a little different in that it had an usual shape, and was dominated by a dividing wall which made the garden feel dark and cramped. My clients wanted to enjoy a coffee in the morning sun but that meant sitting out in the middle of the garden, which never felt right for them. The approach we took was to break the garden up into separate areas which peeped into each other. In each area you can glimpse the larger garden, but not necessarily see it all at once. A small water feature provides a gentle noise backdrop. The shed and the fencing were painted black which gives a greater sense of space to the whole garden. This garden was a little different in that it had an usual shape, and was dominated by a dividing wall which made the garden feel dark and cramped. My clients wanted to enjoy a ...

Large Garden In Kilkenny

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny

This customer brief was simple for this large Kilkenny garden - no sloping lawns, that the garden should reflect the house, and to open up the spectacular views of the countryside. This site was sloping sharply in two directions and so the concept was a two tiered design. We removed 200 tonnes of a bank of soil from the site and a neigbouring field next to open up the views to all of the rooms. The site sloped in two directions down from the house and created level areas which could be easily maintained and were fun to use. By creating stepped areas I was able to achieve intertwining level areas which were safe for even the youngest of visitors to negotiate. This customer brief was simple for this large Kilkenny garden - no sloping lawns, that the garden should reflect the house, and to open up the spectacular views of the countryside.This ...

Bloom in The Park Medal Winner

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Phoenix Park, Dublin 15

The clean lines and whiteness of Bauhaus architecture influenced the design for my first ever Bloom in the Phoenix Park. I wanted the architecture to be a somewhat neutral backdrop to an open air city garden where the plants and outdoor artworks could come gently to the fore. Over time this garden would slowly become more green than white. The pond reflects the ever changing sky with ripples created by the slow cascade of water. At the foot of this water feature is a miniature garden designed to give the rear patio a greater sense of space. This garden won a silver medal in the medium sized garden category and was deemed by the Sunday Business Post review of the show to be the best minimalist garden in the whole show. The clean lines and whiteness of Bauhaus architecture influenced the design for my first ever Bloom in the Phoenix Park.I wanted the architecture to be a somewhat neutral backdrop ...

Small Garden In Cabinteely

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Leafy Garden With Water Feature in Rush

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Rush, Co. Dublin

Kitchen Garden In Dublin City

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin

Small Garden In Cabinteely

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Bloom 2008 Medium Garden Medal Winner

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin

Templeogue Garden With Natural Planting

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Templeogue, Co. Dublin

Dalkey Garden With Unusual Shape

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Dalkey, Co. Dublin

Large Garden In Kilkenny

Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny

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Brian O Hara Design, Dublin Phoenix Park, Dublin 15

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