The season is almost here, and it’s time to start planning your deck and garden. Spring and summer are meant to be enjoyed outdoors, and preparations are in full swing for many people. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about building a new deck or sprucing up the old one. Plant some new plants, buy new outdoor furniture, or maybe invest in a made-to-measure balustrade.
In a series of three, we have worked with garden engineer John Block – Garden By Block – to help you with your planning.
Space-defining elements
John Block is a landscape engineer and has worked as both a garden designer and a gardener in various roles in Sweden, Australia and Norway. Today he helps private individuals and management companies create high-quality garden plans with a focus on aesthetics and function.
A major trend he sees at the moment is space-defining elements. People want private places in the garden where they can spend time with family and friends without being overlooked. But it is also about using space-defining elements such as glass balustrades, plants and larger furniture to create a more interesting and attractive outdoor space. According to John, glass balustrades play a big part when you want to create “barriers” in the garden without shutting out the rest of the plot. Made-to-measure balustrades are often used when the seating area is created. The balustrade is then adapted to the deck or site, not the other way round.
In the photo you can see our stainless steel glass balustrade, where the customer has added sections with a windbreak. The raised terrace becomes a secluded “room” but does not shut out the fantastic surroundings.
Natural colours with vibrant details
According to John, colour and form are key components of garden design. A garden can vary in colour and appearance, both during daylight hours and throughout the year. As the seasons change, the garden shifts in colour, and you can experiment with this through your choice of plants and materials. You can vary and control which colours you want to highlight not only through your choice of plants but also through your choice of materials.
John says he often draws in balustrades and trellises as room dividers, privacy screens and plant supports. He usually colours these in earthy tones such as grey-green, grey, dark brown, green or black. On glass balustrades he makes sure not to add any colour at all, so the surroundings can speak for themselves.
“Sometimes I get a bit more daring and use a bolder colour palette on individual planters, for example. I recently saw a really beautiful example where the colour of a season’s flowers had been matched to the colour of the surrounding furniture. Incredibly effective that at one particular time of year there is a ‘perfect match’ between the different elements.”
When it comes to colour trends for 2023, John believes in adding colour to more details and keeping the “base” of the garden design subdued.
Where you need a slim yet safe balustrade, a wire balustrade is a good fit. Here, the customer has chosen a subtle “base,” but opted to paint the furniture a beautiful light yellow.
Materials and textures in 2023
The demand for more natural materials is growing. John believes in emulating nature as much as possible, increasingly through subtle combinations with industrial solutions. In other words, using materials such as natural stone, timber, and gravel in combination with steel and glass. He hopes that people will prioritise the aesthetic value of materials over their functionality and therefore choose among different natural materials rather than considering artificial materials like composites and artificial turf.
He also believes that matt finishes may make a comeback. Glossy materials can easily dominate and draw attention, so he sees a trend toward powder-coating details with a matt finish.
The frameless glass balustrade gives an uninterrupted view while still providing an exclusive frame.
What role do custom-made glass balustrades play in garden design?
John has noticed a trend toward spending more money and time on gardens. People want to make the most of all their outdoor spaces as spring and summer approach. Areas such as raised terraces, pool areas, and balconies are often places where people spend a lot of time – places where they socialise with family and friends, enjoy delicious dinners, and simply relax. In such cases, a classic metal or timber balustrade can easily “enclose” a space, cutting it off from the surrounding environment. To fully enjoy your beautiful garden, you should therefore choose a glass balustrade so you can continue to enjoy the garden while sitting and eating, swimming, or relaxing in the lounge area.
Would you like help designing your garden?
Contact John Block
www.gardenbyblock.com
Instagram: @gardenbyblock
In our next blog post, we'll discuss the best ways to furnish and design your patio.
Stay tuned!
