Classical Contemporary Garden Design in Chislehurst, Kent
Blending elegant architectural detailing with relaxed, naturalistic planting to create a timeless garden designed for family life and entertaining. Smooth sandstone paving, herringbone sandstone pavers, mature olive trees and layered perennial planting bring structure, softness and character to the space.
Classical contemporary refinement
Designed to complement the character of the period red-brick house, the garden combines traditional materials with a refined contemporary layout. Pale sandstone creates a warm, understated backdrop, while herringbone paver detailing introduces texture and definition throughout the terraces and pathways.
Olive trees provide sculptural focal points and a subtle Mediterranean influence, while generous borders soften the hard landscaping with layers of seasonal colour, texture and movement.
Classical contemporary social spaces
Designed by Justin Manington and Elisa Montalti, with planting design by Justin Manington, the Chislehurst garden was created as an elegant but highly usable extension of the family home.
Multiple seating areas provide distinct spaces for dining, relaxing and entertaining, connected through generous sandstone terraces and pathways.
A contemporary pergola creates a sheltered outdoor lounge, while the open lawn and surrounding planting ensure the garden retains a relaxed, spacious character.
The result is a garden that can move naturally between everyday family life and larger social gatherings without sacrificing the considered aesthetic of the overall design.
Natural materials
The material palette was kept warm and understated to complement the existing red-brick architecture. Smooth sawn sandstone forms the main terraces and paths, with smaller pavers used in herringbone detail to define planting beds and seating areas. These subtle shifts in texture divide the garden into distinct zones while maintaining a connected, cohesive feel.
Pergola & entertaining
A contemporary pergola provides a defined destination within the garden and creates a sheltered space for relaxing and entertaining. Comfortable outdoor furniture transforms the area into an outdoor lounge, surrounded by layered planting that softens the structure and gives the space a more established feel.
Olive trees
Olive trees are used throughout the garden to add height, structure and a subtle Mediterranean character. Their sculptural trunks and silvery foliage contrast with the warm brickwork and pale sandstone, while sitting naturally within the softer perennial planting.
Country Garden–Inspired Planting Scheme
Erigeron
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Erigeron provides masses of delicate daisy-like flowers that soften the edges of paths, borders and hard landscaping.
Its informal growth habit allows it to spill naturally around neighbouring plants and sandstone details, helping blur the transition between the garden's precise architectural elements and its softer planting.
Achillea Moonshine (Yarrow)
Achillea introduces broad clusters of warm yellow flowers amongst the softer purple and silver planting. Its works particularly well alongside Verbena and ornamental grasses, bringing contrast and long-lasting summer colour to the borders. Its relaxed form helps reinforce the garden's naturalistic planting style while providing a striking contrast against the sandstone edging.
Verbena Bonariensis 'Lollipop'
Verbena bonariensis brings height and movement without creating visual weight within the borders. Its slender stems and clusters of purple flowers rise above lower planting, helping create the loose, layered character that runs throughout the Chislehurst garden.
It also provides an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Lavender
Lavender brings fragrance, evergreen structure and Mediterranean character to the planting scheme. Its foliage complements the olive trees beautifully, while purple summer flowers echo the taller Verbena throughout the borders. Positioned well, lavender helps provide continuity between the more structured and naturalistic elements of the garden.
Country Garden – Design & Project Details
Style & Brief
A classical contemporary family garden in Chislehurst, Kent, designed for a period red-brick home, combining elegant outdoor living with naturalistic planting, Mediterranean influences and a refined palette.
Our Partners
London Stone for Florence Beige Porcelain Paving. Harrod Horticulture for the herbs beds, Chilstone Stone for the wall and steps, and Provender Nurseries for the planting.
Key Materials
Smooth sawn sandstone paving, sandstone pavers with herringbone detailing, original red brickwork, contemporary pergola structures, stone planters and premium outdoor furniture.
Planting
A richly layered naturalistic planting scheme combining mature olive trees, Verbena bonariensis, Achillea, Erigeron, lavender, ornamental grasses, silvery foliage and seasonal flowering perennials.
