Frome Garden Transformation – A Complete Garden Design & Landscaping Project in Somerset

Design Brief

This garden transformation in Frome, Somerset began with a large lawn that offered very little character or usable structure. The clients wanted to replace the uninspiring open space with a garden that felt beautiful, practical and welcoming, while creating areas for relaxing, dining and enjoying the garden throughout the year.

Our brief was to completely rethink the layout and create a garden with strong structure, interesting materials, lush planting and distinctive focal points.

At SilverBirch Gardens, we developed a design that combines contemporary garden design with softer, natural planting, creating a space that feels both stylish and comfortable.

The finished garden is a complete transformation from the original lawn — and, most importantly, a garden the clients love spending time in.

3D Garden Design

Before any work was completed, we designed the garden in 3D so the client had a complete understanding of how the finished project would look, with paving, borders and planting areas all in place.

 

Materials

We selected a combination of complementary materials to give the garden its distinctive character.

Cream Porcelain Paving

Cream porcelain paving forms the main patio and creates a clean, contemporary surface for outdoor dining and entertaining.

The pale paving provides a strong contrast against the darker and warmer materials used elsewhere in the garden, helping the planting and Corten steel features stand out.

By orientating the paving to be 45 degrees from the house, we created a focal length across the garden, making the space seem wider than it actually is.

Antique Red Clay Pavers

We introduced Antique Red clay pavers around the patio and raised planting areas, helping to “zone” the garden and create more interest in a large patio area.

Their smaller format and rich colour provide a detailed border around the larger porcelain slabs, adding texture and definition to the design.

Corten Steel

Corten steel raised beds form one of the most distinctive elements of the garden.

The warm, weathered appearance of the steel works particularly well alongside the Antique Red clay pavers and cream porcelain paving. The curved shapes also create a softer transition between the hard landscaping and planting.

A Corten steel water feature provides another strong focal point within the garden.

Planting

The planting scheme plays an important role in softening the contemporary hard landscaping.

We created lush, layered planting within the Corten steel raised beds, introducing different heights, textures and seasonal interest, then repeated plants through the garden which creates continuity and pulls the large garden together.

The planting contrasts with the clean lines of the porcelain paving and the architectural character of the Corten steel, helping to create a garden that feels established and full of life.

Careful planting also helps integrate the new landscaping with the existing hedging and wider Somerset countryside beyond the garden.

Construction Methods

The transformation required much more than simply replacing the existing lawn.

We first reworked the layout to create clearly defined areas within the garden. The large open lawn was removed and replaced with a series of functional spaces, including the main paved seating and dining area and structured planting zones.

The cream porcelain paving was carefully installed to create the main patio, with the Antique Red clay pavers used to form contrasting curved borders.

The Corten steel raised beds were positioned to create strong geometric forms while following the curves of the garden design. Their raised construction provides additional planting depth while giving the garden a clear architectural framework.

We then introduced the planting scheme and integrated the Corten water feature as a central focal point.

Finally, garden lighting was incorporated to highlight key features and allow the clients to enjoy the garden during the evening as well as throughout the day.

Challenges

One of the main challenges was transforming a large, open lawn into a garden with character and purpose without making the space feel cluttered.

The design needed to introduce structure while retaining a sense of openness.

We achieved this by using large areas of cream porcelain paving alongside flowing, curved Corten steel raised beds. The curves help break up the larger space while creating a natural flow between the different areas.

Another consideration was balancing the strong contemporary materials with the planting. The Corten steel, porcelain and clay pavers provide plenty of hard architectural detail, so the planting needed to soften these elements and create a more natural feel.

The result is a carefully balanced garden where hard landscaping and planting work together rather than competing with each other.

Finished Result

The transformation has completely changed the character of this Frome garden in Somerset.

What was previously a large, uninteresting lawn is now a carefully designed outdoor space with defined areas for dining, relaxing and enjoying the garden.

The combination of cream porcelain paving, Antique Red clay pavers, Corten steel raised beds, lush planting, a Corten water feature and garden lighting gives the garden a distinctive identity.

The finished design combines practical outdoor living with strong visual interest, creating a garden that changes throughout the seasons while remaining enjoyable throughout the year.

Most importantly, we transformed the space into a garden the clients love.

Garden Design & Landscaping in Frome, Somerset

SilverBirch Gardens specialises in garden design and landscaping in Somerset, creating bespoke outdoor spaces that combine thoughtful design, quality materials and carefully considered planting.

From complete garden transformations and patios to planting, raised beds, garden lighting and bespoke landscaping, we can help turn an uninspiring outdoor space into a garden you’ll love.

Looking to transform your garden in Frome or elsewhere in Somerset? Contact SilverBirch Gardens to discuss your project.