A stones’ throw from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew…

In search of a greenhouse that would not only compliment an evolving garden design, but potentially become a focal point in its’ own right, our clients first spotted us in the RHS members magazine. With the Chelsea show on their doorstep, a thorough review of the alternatives was easy. But it didn’t result in a preferred design solution.

“After looking at all the other options we didn’t find anything that was going to work in the space as well as the White Cottage Croft”.

The space, albeit generous by London standards, is of modest proportions. Anything too big would have dominated rather than complimented this garden of a sympathetically renovated and extended Victorian villa. With a more contemporary glazed structure where the family’s open plan kitchen is now located. Taking its design cues from the proportions of the original windows of the main house and finished in black (contrasting with the traditional white frames of the rest of the house). There’s a pleasing familiarity to this new addition, whilst still delivering on modern lifestyle demands.

This ethos is continued in the garden, which until relatively recently, had always taken second place to family activities. Our clients engaged garden designers to help them work out how to make the most of the space. Already established were a gazebo halfway down the garden and a contemporary structure at the bottom. Both finished in black to reflect the kitchen extension. It was important that the greenhouse fit in with this design language. Its orientation, at an angle and facing the gazebo, solidifies the greenhouse’s role as a key feature in the layout.

To see the Croft in other colours visit our Signature Gallery and filter on Range and Colour.

This is the first time our clients have owned a greenhouse. Experimentation is the name of the game when it comes to the growing. Inspired to grow salad and vegetables during the lockdowns, as so many of us were, produce for the table accounts for most of the effort. A few bedding plants are thrown in for good measure. Reluctant to get rid of anything that has successfully germinated, the greenhouse is at absolute capacity with tomato plants.

“I’m already thinking we should have got a bigger greenhouse”.

The greenhouse has quickly become an integral part of the next phase of this family garden. Suiting its situation so perfectly and inspiring the owners to take more time out of their busy schedules, it delivers on aesthetics, functionality and contentment.