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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Garden
  3. Type: Formal Garden

Shabby-Chic Style Formal Garden Ideas and Designs

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A Down-Sized Dream Garden
A Down-Sized Dream Garden
Landscape Projects, Inc.Landscape Projects, Inc.
Created for a couple moving to a smaller house and lot in order to “down¬-size” after their children had left home, this garden’s design presented many challenges. The wife, an ardent gardener, had a long wish list: a water feature; specific plants (including a river birch, a gingko tree, oakleaf hydrangeas, plants to attract butterflies, and trilliums), fragrance, a small patio, and a potting shed. She also wanted to eliminate grass from any part of the property, and to have space to plant annuals (in containers and other areas). In short, she wanted a small “dream garden” created from a site that even she characterized as “disastrous-looking” at the outset. The wife wanted pathways that would allow her to visit all parts of the garden. The patio space did not need to be sizable because of the high deck off the back of the house, but the views from the deck were important. We accomplished all of the clients' goals, and designed a series of small "garden rooms" in the backyard to create the illusion of a larger space. We also designed a "faux potting shed" front to screen the area under the deck and incorporated a raised planting bed for annuals and herbs, which was featured in an article in Fine Gardening the following year as an inventive way to disguise an eyesore in the landscape. This garden received an Award of Distinction in 2009 from the DC/MD/VA Landscape Contractors Association. A view from the deck into the corner of the back yard, with a crape myrtle to provide seasonal interest.© Melissa Clark Photography
G A R D E N - Pacific Northwest
G A R D E N - Pacific Northwest
Lore PattersonLore Patterson
garden vignette | Lore Patterson In the garden, a table set with a vintage linen cloth. Under the pear tree, a sweet arrangement of purple phlox.
Back yard wedding | Artistry Landscaping Design
Back yard wedding | Artistry Landscaping Design
Artistry Landscape DesignArtistry Landscape Design
This area was planted with low spreading yews, euonymous 'Emerald gaiety', pachysandra, woodland phlox and white bleeding hearts.
Portfolio
Portfolio
Apple Blossom Landscape Concepts, Inc.Apple Blossom Landscape Concepts, Inc.
Courtyard bliss
Courtyard bliss
Dimension GardenscapeDimension Gardenscape
Annie Storey recycled copper Water Feature to top off this spectacular garden
Balades et rêveries - Jardin
Balades et rêveries - Jardin
Stéphane Larcin - Concepteur - PaysagisteStéphane Larcin - Concepteur - Paysagiste
Dans ce jardin, tout est sujet à la surprise, à la rêverie et à la promenade. Des chemins dessinent le jardin et le cadencent, des arbres en relation avec le paysage environnant le structurent tandis que les associations végétales, composées de vivaces et de graminées, lui assurent une ambiance fraîche et dynamique en toute saison.
Expansive Hidden Gardens Property
Expansive Hidden Gardens Property
Scenic LandscapingScenic Landscaping
A tranquil garden space, shady, with Buddha statue
Hastings Residence
Hastings Residence
Shape Architecture LtdShape Architecture Ltd
Photograph David Merewether
Edible and Cut Flower Sculpture Garden
Edible and Cut Flower Sculpture Garden
Wild Craft PermacultureWild Craft Permaculture
Front Yard. Mark Wolfe Photography.
Large Landscape Project in Sevenoaks
Large Landscape Project in Sevenoaks
Oakmore Green LtdOakmore Green Ltd
David Harber sculpture next to koi pond.
Myrtle Cottage
Myrtle Cottage
Aralia: Innovation in Landscape DesignAralia: Innovation in Landscape Design
Hennesy
Hennesy
UserUser
Hidden Leaf Productions
Cosy Nest for Someone Special Ranch Style
Cosy Nest for Someone Special Ranch Style
Ambiance Garden Design, LLCAmbiance Garden Design, LLC
Suzanne Wilkerson
Sharpe Ranch/ Vegetable Garden
Sharpe Ranch/ Vegetable Garden
Newhaven Builders Inc.Newhaven Builders Inc.
Church Orchard Cottage - Garden
Church Orchard Cottage - Garden
Oliver Grahame PhotographyOliver Grahame Photography
Bluestone Flagstone
Bluestone Flagstone
Finley's Tree & Landcare, Inc.Finley's Tree & Landcare, Inc.
Landscaping with new lawn and new planting.
Our Work
Our Work
PapescapesPapescapes
Hennesy
Hennesy
UserUser
Hidden Leaf Productions
Large Landscape Project in Sevenoaks
Large Landscape Project in Sevenoaks
Oakmore Green LtdOakmore Green Ltd
Tree fern planted by the lake
Edible and Cut Flower Sculpture Garden
Edible and Cut Flower Sculpture Garden
Wild Craft PermacultureWild Craft Permaculture
Key Hole Gardens for easy access. The front half of the first and third bays are reserved for annual vegetables. Mark Wolfe Photogrpahy

Shabby-Chic Style Formal Garden Ideas and Designs

A beautifully designed shabby-chic style garden is as important as the emphasis we place on the designs of our interiors. After all, our grounds (however modest) frame our homes and contribute to first impressions not only of our houses, but also of the households within. Options for garden designs can be as elaborate or low maintenance as your lifestyle and preferences permit – consider both your aspirations for how it should look and how much time you can invest in garden maintenance. Consulting a gardener or landscape designer will ensure you have a garden that suits your lifestyle, the local climate and soil conditions. But don’t forget that with Houzz your first stop can be collecting images of garden ideas and designs you love in order to inspire your garden plans and potentially share them with a landscape gardening professional.

How do I come up with a shabby-chic style front garden design?

The priority for a front garden is kerb appeal. Begin by considering the area immediately around and leading up to your front door. You may want to opt for front garden designs that blend well with the style of your home – for example, abundant foliage and flowerbeds will perfectly complement a period property, whereas man-made materials, geometric shapes and contrasting textures are great ideas for a contemporary garden design. Even if your front garden is a small space, keep it tidy – if you have more space, make the most of it with garden ideas and features such as a manicured lawn, gravel driveway, water feature or garden fencing. If you don’t have the time or commitment to devote to gardening, then neatly pruned hedges, statement paving, hanging baskets, garden benches and outdoor lighting are all decorative, low maintenance garden ideas for your shabby-chic style front garden design.

How should I design my shabby-chic style back garden?

Back gardens typically offer more space than front garden designs and serve a more recreational purpose, so it’s important to know how you want to spend time in your garden before you design it in order to build in the features that you will enjoy. If you love relaxing in the garden and dining al fresco, think about patios, decking, garden furniture and BBQs. For the more horticulturally-inclined, incorporate flower beds, greenhouses or vegetable garden designs. Your landscape gardening professional can help you install structures such as sheds, pergolas and gazebos that complement your garden design, and artfully-placed garden ideas such as lawn edging and lighting will add definition to your chosen design.

How do I create a low maintenance garden?

The great news is, gardens aren’t exclusively for the green-fingered. Whether you’re not horticulturally-inclined or simply don’t have the time for a bit of landscape gardening, you can still have a shabby-chic style garden design that looks the way you want by making some smart design choices. While many of us favour low maintenance gardens like urban gardens, roof terraces and patio gardens, lovers of greenery don’t need to sacrifice grass for paving slabs. Whatever you want from your garden, there are a variety of gardening solutions that can be built in to make life easier. For example, labour intensive features such as vegetable patches, greenhouses and flower beds can be optimised with an automatic irrigation system. These can be offset with fuss-free garden ideas such as hard landscaping, including gravel, paving or decking, and hard-wearing evergreens that require minimal upkeep. You might even consider replacing your garden fencing with slow growing hedging, which can be maintained less regularly than wooden fence panels. If having a lawn is important, there are different types of grasses in varying degrees of durability and maintenance. You may choose to take a more relaxed approach to your lawn – “wild” garden designs can have great charm if the grasses and flowers are chosen carefully. If you prefer a manicured lawn, it’s a good idea to invest in a “mulching” lawn mower that will recycle clippings and remove the need for cleaning up. Finally, there isn’t a more low maintenance garden lawn than artificial grass which can look highly realistic and keep your garden looking green. Garden ornaments are a great way to add interest to your low maintenance garden design – go for smart garden ideas such as solar garden lights which are both decorative and functional. Find some of the most popular design ideas on Houzz.
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