David Domoney: How Garden designers mix and match paving
9 August 2023
David, How do I design my dream garden? A common question for sure, is not an easy one to answer. But, if you start with your hard landscaping, you’re off to a good start. The landscaping part of gardening is all about creating the structure and framework of your garden. I like to take a step back, close my eyes and do a walk through in my mind. I consider the features, planting, and flourishes. But throughout this internal journey, I think about the paving on which I will travel, as I wander through the finished garden.
Now you don’t want to just look at a brochure or website and pick the first thing you see. Take your time. There are a lot of options available, particularly within the Pavestone range that suit gardens large and small. This endeavour promises to yield a result that is not only distinctive but also exudes a sense of style and practicality.
Venturing into the realm of Pavestone's offerings, you'll uncover an assortment that encompasses both visual appeal and functional prowess. This is where innovation meets tradition, allowing you to blend various elements in a harmonious symphony. Take a glimpse into the enchanting world of a Pavestone garden, where a masterful interplay of tones, textures, and decorative accents transforms outdoor spaces into havens of beauty and tranquility.
But this isn't merely an exhibition of design; it's an invitation to take the spark of inspiration and infuse it into your very own garden. Each feature, each arrangement, and each artistic touch is a testament to the boundless possibilities that lie within the realm of outdoor aesthetics. As you walk through this curated garden, let your imagination run wild, envisioning how you can translate these principles into your personal outdoor haven.
Contrasting shades
Within this garden, a captivating fusion emerges through the integration of two distinct shades of Pavestone's Dolomite Porcelain patio paving. These large element paving tiles are inspired by some of the world’s finest examples of natural stone.
Italian Dolomite Porcelain
The extensive range of surface textures offered ensures a harmoniously balanced natural stone aesthetic.
Moreover, the paving boasts an Italian heritage, embodying the legacy of artistry and craftsmanship that the region is renowned for. Beyond its cultural lineage, the practical benefits of porcelain are equally impressive. Being inherently stain-resistant, it guards against the wear and tear of everyday living, preserving its pristine allure over time. This durability stands as a testament to the meticulous engineering, providing you with the peace of mind that your patio will remain a haven of elegance for years to come.
At the core of this garden's design lies the bedrock of Pavestone's Dolomite Grey porcelain patio paving.
This palette of warm, slate tones serves as an exquisite foundation, from which you can pair and contrast brightly coloured furniture, plants and patio dressings.
Consider enhancing your outdoor space with a touch of refined leisure by introducing a charming bistro set with jewel-toned cushions to add both comfort and style. This addition creates an exquisite corner where you can relish the simple pleasures of life, such as sipping on a steaming cup of coffee or indulging in a freshly baked treat. Elevate this experience further by adorning the table with the vibrant splendor of blooming cut dahlias, resplendent in shades of apricot and fuchsia.
Infuse a sense of intimacy into your area by framing your paving with charming flower beds. These flower beds offer a canvas for a diverse selection of scents and textures, crafting an atmosphere that invites relaxation and sensory pleasure.
Consider incorporating the serene whites of Astrantia major ‘Masterwort,’ intermingled with the opulent purples of elegant Verbena, and the soothing movements and fragrances of Lavender. These hues will create a striking contrast against the nuanced shades of Dolomite Grey and the cooler, mottled tones of Dolomite Moon.
Shape & form
These wilder plants draw a fabulous contrast when planted beside traditional, trimmed topiary. Why not infuse your garden with an air of sophistication by adding box balls, as well as cone-trimmed yew trees? You can mix these structures around soft-textured plants to strike the perfect balance between modern and manicured, and chic and untamed. Topiary can also be used to clearly define entrances and exits to your garden, to your front door, or a garden path, for example.
Distinguished block paving
Because Pavestone’s Dolomite paving is so versatile, there are lots of options for potential pathway paving. This garden incorporates Pavestone’s Slimsett Block paving, the shade ‘Brindle’, framed by the natural stone block paving, in the shade Kadapha. Slimsett offers real distinction over conventional blocked paving.
Slim and versatile
The slim form means that they are easily manipulated and can form curves. You can see this in action with the sweeping pathways that encourage you to explore every inch of your space. This is a great choice for those looking to strike a balance between classic and contemporary, as Slimsett block paving brings a sense of time-worn cobbles yet sits unassumingly beside the more modern Dolomite tones and a carefully curated lawn.
Sunken stream
As well as using paths to dissect your garden space, you can also use brighter tones to highlight features and areas with specific purposes. This garden uses Dolomite Moon paving to draw attention to a unique, sunken water feature. The paving both reflects the warmth of the sun, whilst acting as an unofficial, yet graceful, trip hazard warning!
This stream and paving then feed into the main event: a gorgeous, plant-filled pond. Not only does Dolomite Moon create a sleek and established border, but it also works to establish a sense of welcome separation from the rest of the garden. Here, it has been used to create an ‘island’ type structure. This curates the perfect space for cool drinks on those balmy summer evenings. The physical retreat from the rest of the garden allows you to better connect with yourself, others, and nature.
To make the most of this intimate space, add plants in colourful pots. Consider, for example, an elegant lily, planted in a hot pink pot, on your table. For some more subdued colour, embrace pots of turquoise and sky blue. These will draw out the blue flecks present in Dolomite Grey, and create a tranquil, united feel to your garden design.
Jon Layton, Group CEO of Pavestone says:
This grand garden was thoughtfully designed by Jacquie Gordon with the build meticulously executed by one of Pavestone’s Preferred Installers, Jon Avery of Avery Landscapes. The design makes the most of Pavestone’s paving and is an excellent example of what you can achieve when you combine paving of different tones, textures, and sizes. You can choose a neutral shade like Dolomite Grey, to pair with pops of colour. You can use the lighter Dolomite Moon to highlight borders and features and create a sense of individual spaces in the area. Lastly, you can link these areas with warm cobbled pathways that guide you through your space, allowing you to appreciate your beautiful outdoor space.
Click on the pictures with the 'drone' image to fly through these beautiful gardens I've featured in this blog.
There are many more stunning videos of beautifully landscaped gardens using Pavestone landscaping and building materials featured on the Pavestone website for you to explore here.
David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert ,and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related. We look forward to seeing you back again next month.