Case study — Coastal
Sandwich
- Location
- Sandwich, Kent
- Style
- Coastal
- Completed
- 2022
- Scope
- Full design - 30m2 - £30-50k
01
The project
As garden designers in Kent, we took on this project in Sandwich with a simple design brief: transform a bare, slightly neglected small courtyard garden into a modern, subtle coastal retreat. We believe every garden has the potential to become a special place, and this one was no exception. Our aim was to create a calm space, using a palette that blended with the interior.
02
Materials
- Derby clay pavers – London Stone
- Porcelain planks in Cinder – London Stone
- Antique brick – London Stone
- Light grey porcelain tiles 900 x 600 mm – London Stone
- Dove grey limestone – Jewson
- Wicker panel
- Gate – Jacksons fencing
Ivy & Whyte listened closely to my thoughts and wishes, we love our garden, so pleased with the outcome - Celine.
03
The approach
As garden designers in Kent, we made sure every element of the design worked. From the outset, we chose materials that would build a soft, natural colour palette — selected carefully to echo the tones inside the house so the transition from indoors to outdoors would feel seamless. The aim throughout was a garden that feels calm, achieved through textures and colours that stay gentle and unforced rather than bold or busy.
The planting scheme is taken from the coast. We chose a range of species that thrive in coastal conditions, so the garden stays healthy and full of interest through every season. Beyond the colour this brings across the year, the layered planting adds real depth and texture — low grasses and groundcover in front, taller perennials and shrubs behind — so there’s always something to catch the eye, whatever the season.
04
The result
The finished garden lets the house and its surroundings work as one, with the design flowing naturally from indoors to out. A garden should feel like a natural extension of the home — somewhere that draws people outside to relax, not a separate space tacked on at the edges. Every choice, from materials to planting, reflects that thinking, and the result is a space that feels both serene and genuinely welcoming.
Set close to the Kent Coast, this garden was built with relaxing and dining in mind. Comfortable sunbeds create a spot to unwind, while a small dining area makes room for eating outdoors with family and friends. The layout was carefully planned to make the most of the space available while keeping it open and uncluttered — ideal for a garden living so close to the shore.
The paths and zoning are just as central to the design. Wood style boardwalks do more than provide practical walkways; they bring warmth and a natural feel to the whole space. Gravel laid between the boards adds a decorative finish while helping with drainage, giving the garden a relaxed, beachy character throughout. It is a small courtyard but feels much bigger.
To finish the design, we chose a range of lush Sedum album, Thymus and Eryngium to fill the spaces between the gravel and timber. Selected specifically for coastal conditions, these plants bring movement, colour and texture to the garden across every season, softening the hard landscaping and helping the whole space settle naturally into its coastal surroundings.
If you’d like a garden designed around your own outdoor space, lifestyle and stretch of the Kent coast, we’d love to help you create it.
05
About
Build by Carid Landscaping & Groundworks
Designed and planted by Ivy & Whyte Garden Design
Plants from Palmstead
Q&A
Questions about this project
Yes, salt can be carried in the air for up to 3 miles inland; if you are within 1/2 mile of the shoreline, it is definitely something to consider when purchasing plants. This scheme was created to highlight the coastal feel in Sandwich.
Project costs vary wildly depending on the quality of the materials and the amount of detail that goes into the space. If you have just a lawn, you can look at something like £100 per square metre. Whereas if you use high-quality materials with lots of features, this can easily be £350 per square metre. Small gardens are great though because you have flexibility to keep the price low or spend as needed for your perfect space.
The Hazel hurdle screen is in place to hide the shed but also add to the textural feel of the garden. The tones also blend with other materials, and the height leaves you guessing what is round the corner. Screens are very good at creating mystery.
In a small space it provides interest and increases the spatial feeling by mixing the materials used on the floor. With this garden in Sandwich we were not using massive amounts of colour, so texture plays an important role.
Project gallery
