Katrina Sheldon Garden Design


			About Katrina Although I trained as a designer, I am very much still a hands-on gardener at heart. I graduated from the reputable Oxford College of Garden Design, (OCGD) with a post-graduate diploma in Garden Design and followed this by gaining a distinction from The Royal Horticultural Society in their General Certificate of Horticulture. When not at my drawing board or on site, my time is unequally divided between country walks with my dogs, re-designing and looking after my ½ acre garden near Oxford, writing and giving the occasional talk on Garden Design. I am also planning to run an evening class in Garden Design for keen gardeners. I am a commercial and professional member of HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association), Europe's largest organic membership organisation, and a member of The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden. I am also a corresponding member of the Society Of Garden Designers and hope to become a full member when I am brave enough to be scrutinized by the panel of experts. I am currently working on an easy-access reference book "The Complete Planting Book" which will help enthusiastic gardeners produce professional looking planting schemes by taking them, in step-by-step detail, through all aspects of planting design eg., planting plans, design principles, colour, shape and form etc. It will also aid professional designers by significantly speeding up plant choice through the use of charts and grids which give a wealth of information, at a glance, on specific plants.

site design : pedalo limited

I offer original, high-quality designs for gardens of all shapes and sizes in either a contemporary or a traditional style. I am happy to tackle gardens anywhere in and around southern England (including Greater London) and The Midlands. I believe that good design is the one essential factor needed to create the right 'feel' in a garden. It provides the solid foundation on which to build and decorate your outside space. I also strongly believe that consideration for the Environment and ecology is not merely desirable in Garden design but is every Garden Designer's duty, which is why I go to great lengths to prove that design and environmental awareness are not mutually exclusive. As far as possible I use local materials and labour and ensure that all plants selected for planting schemes are well suited to their setting.

After the initial consultancy the process of designing a garden will probably involve many drawings of one kind and another: not only the basic Sketch Plan, (the design) but also Planting Plans, Construction Drawings, and setting out drawings, which all facilitate the execution of the initial design. I also like to create a Picture Board, which consists of photographs of plants and sketches of the defining features. This gives a depiction of the feel of the design and is especially useful for those not used to interpreting plans. Here is a brief outline of individual services and what they do .

Consultancy

This service offers an initial meeting with the client to discuss their needs and requirements. It is followed by an Appraisal of the garden, taking into account size and shape, soil type, prevailing wind direction, sun and shade, Boundaries and beyond, to name a few. A consultancy does not involve any drawings but the results of the discussion. And appraisals are mulled over and suggestions and ideas for both hard landscape (paving etc) and soft landscape (planting) are given.

Sketch Plan

This is the artistic representation of the overall design drawn to scale in plan form. It shows all hard landscaping areas (paths, terraces, steps etc), lawns and features. It also shows planting areas but does not detail plant types or sizes.Setting Out Drawing

This is a detailed scale drawing which gives precise measurements for all areas of hard landscape (paths, terraces, steps etc.,) in order that the design can be built with total accuracy. It also details Drainage, levels, gradient falls; pattern, layout and materials of these areas and gives indications of wall and steps heights and widths.Construction DrawingsThese are detailed scale drawings, which give a contractor the exact specifications of how to construct the specified areas. E.g. Steps, walls, pergolas &c. so that they will look as intended in the sketch plan. Planting PlanThis is a scale drawing detailing all the planting beds. Every single plant and tree used in the design is depicted in its exact location, in their mature sizes.Picture BoardThis aims to give an overall feel of the design using photos and drawings. Overall colour, texture, paving, planting etc Of the plan would be in shown in general terms. Only specific features of the design e.g. pot, sculpture, pond etc., would be depicted as accurately as possible.

Top quality garden design, encompassing conservation and natural materials. Includes samples of Katrina Sheldon’s designs and construction plans.

My easy-access reference book "The Complete Planting Book" which will help enthusiastic gardeners produce professional looking planting schemes by taking them, in step-by-step detail, through all aspects of planting design eg., planting plans, design principles, colour, shape and form etc. It will also aid professional designers by significantly speeding up plant choice through the use of charts and grids which give a wealth of information, at a glance, on specific plants.