Garden Tour: A contemporary and geometric garden outside Paris

Garden Tour: A contemporary and geometric garden outside Paris - This extensive French garden in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, covering 3230 m², has undergone a total renovation. The work was carried out by landscape architect Nicolas Bertaudiere. "The garden needed to be modernized. The owners had remodeled their home with the help of architect Eric Gizard and now wanted me to create a new garden, more contemporary, "says Nicolas.

He was a perfect fit for the new house. "It is more important to them as their main living room has a glass roof and is completely open to the garden. They wanted more formal lines and more contrasting materials, "says Nicholas. So he created a geometric design with lots of squares and rectangles.

Garden A look
Who lives here A couple of young grandparents
garden size 3,230 sq ft
Location Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Yvelines (Paris region)
This is interesting the garden is dominated by the living room of the house renovated , which has a roof glass

garden TROTTER

"When designing a garden one needs to plan for structural plants, and also for those of ornament, which are much easier to replace. We must begin by structural plants before even thinking of the rest, "says Nicolas. The details will come later.

One of the challenges of this garden was to work with the naked 16ft stone wall. To make it more visually dynamic, Nicolas decided to go with two bay trees cylindrical jasmine and four columns. "We should not build a wall to hide another wall. The right way is often to visually isolate different structural elements, "he said.

GARDEN TROTTER

The Central gateway leads to an artist's studio and a utility area with a laundry room, and is called the dry lane. "It connects the two ends of the garden and allows the dry path. It has the same Burgundy stone that is used on the floors of the house. This choice shows the continuity between inside and outside, "says Nicolas. The fence separating the garden from the neighbor is in exotic wood.

GARDEN TROTTER

Here see that the full depth of the garden and all the different levels, have been used to position the structure of plants. Grass units are rectangular, adding to the geometric design of the garden.

GARDEN TROTTER

The square fountain was custom in Belgium, and is made of zinc. "Customers want to hear the sound of running water, but in a delicate way," says Nicolas.

gARDEN TROTTER

"We needed to stay low so as not to hide the depth of the garden and the fountain could not run deep for reasons of security, "said Nicolas.

GARDEN TROTTER

the fountain leads to an area made of crushed gravel of white marble that makes the shaded seating area perfect sunny days. Hydrangeas and a Japanese maple beautify the background. "These are all shade plantations "says Nicolas.

a row of plants defines the area, including perennials and grasses, such as Pennisetum and Anemones from Japan. "The idea was to break the rigidity of the geometric design. I decided to use this combination of plants because they have different flowering times, "says Nicolas. A Amelanchier introduced the row of plants, and brings structure and elegance to the area.

More geometric garden designs

GARDEN TROTTER

A close-up of Pennisetum .

GARDEN TROTTER

The anemones Japan begin to bloom in the fall.

GARDEN TROTTER

The owners wanted have a space dedicated to water plants, so that Nicolas has installed a large pot Milliput, which is full of water. It allows Equisetum to grow in the garden. "They are very invasive plants with roots, it was important to include them in a pot, he said.

GARDEN TROTTER

Small pots serve vegetables like miniature gardens. "We planted herbs, including chives and sage, said Nicolas. The pots were kept very low so as not to block the view from the dining table outdoors.

GARDEN TROTTER

Three pots standing in a row to maintain the geometric pattern.

GARDEN TROTTER

lights are integrated in the small concrete walls, taupe painted. These walls define the dining alfresco. "Ambient lighting is also present here and there in the garden, said Nicolas.

GARDEN TROTTER

For the room outdoor dining, Nicolas went for a low line and light the plants, because "it was necessary to keep the view of the open garden. Again, there are perennials and grasses, "he explains.

GARDEN TROTTER

Here you see the Stipa grasses. "These are also known as angel hair. They grow in spring and fall in a beautiful blond color, "says Nicolas. There are also some Gaura plant that pretty little flowers.

Visit a beautiful English garden

GARDEN TROTTER

to the dining room, Nicolas necessary to meet the requirement of customers to accommodate a minimum of eight people around the table. "Therefore, I decided to go with a concrete bench L-shaped, legless he said. A very durable leather-like coating was made to fit the exact dimensions of the bench, and we finished the area with a rectangular glass table with a stainless steel frame.

TELL US ...
you love this French garden? Share your thoughts in the comments below.