Carraig na Mara, amongst many similarly styled and recognisable houses along Killiney beach, was built in the late 19^th Century by the English architect, George Wilkinson. Comprised of a rustic granite blockwork with battlemented towers and wings, collectively their presence created a defensive appearance along the shoreline. The interior very much followed the styles and comforts of the typically Victorian era.

Now a well-loved family home, offering expansive views taking your gaze from Dalkey Island to Bray Head. An active family that fully engages with and utilises all aspects of the outdoor living Killiney has to offer whether it be swimming, paddle boarding, BBQing, gatherings or relaxing around a fire pit in the evenings.

Upon the first meeting, the rear garden revealed a long expansive lawn demarcated with sturdy hedging on either side. The lawn gently sloping down towards the beach, varying levels which we would need to incorporate and address during the design approach. Evidence of all the family activities and areas of preference were dotted around the lawn, it became apparent how ‘zoning’ the most desired areas would make the space more organised and appealing. A weaving pathway would interlink and connect the main house to the newly laid-out areas. The carefully selected hard landscaping materials and planting scheme repeated throughout the design would bring further unity and cohesiveness to the bespoke design. Included within the brief was a modern upgrade of the existing patio attached to the main house and the potential zoning of a future outdoor sauna.

Emphasis lay in that the existing views and privacy be retained where possible. Our approach would ensure that the life and energy of the home would continue to be preserved and further synchronised in a bespoke and unique design that would bring life anew to this well-loved green space.

To the front, the existing planting, car parking allocations and access to the house required an tasteful upgrade and reorganisation to suit the evolving needs of the family. The informal entrance down through the lower kitchen would receive a chique upgrade with a modern tiled pathway, a gentle ‘nod’ to the traditional Victorian tile styles. The slightly steep slope that usually connects the car parking spaces with the kitchen doorway would receive more appropriate treatment with some gentle steps.

Materials used here, a mix of sandstone gravel and granite sett cobbles would be repeated through the newly rearranged parking space. When viewed from within the house the cobble setts reflected the existing stone of the building and its neighbouring structures whilst being elevated with the lighter and warmer beige gravel in between.

The careful selection and integration of plants would play a part of softening the presence of the existing hard landscaping and providing a subtle and soft screening from the car parking towards the lower kitchen windows. Planting would play a part in ensuring there would always be a presence of colour, texture and pollinators.

Further consideration of our design approach included the views from within the house looking outwards. Upon the three varied levels, what would those windows offer? Our design approach would ensure that there was a deep connection and continuity between the house, its purpose and its wider surroundings organically integrated and continuing to ‘borrow’ and enhance the existing views beyond. Where appropriate we elevated and sunk the seating areas to create a little variation without compromising views.

The slightly sunken down larger dining space is nestled into the rear corner of the garden ensuring the privacy and views are maintained. The retained existing Yucca plant brings interest of height and lovely silhouette in the evening light. The materials selected take inspiration from the existing granite blockwork and were enhanced further with the inclusion of warmer tones in the use of timber in the seating, pergola and Corten steel elements. The lighter beige gravel pathway provides the link from the house through the garden and to the different areas, interwoven with strong areas of coastal-style planting.

A stylish Irish-made set of dining table and chairs continues the warm selection of tones and is further offset with the oceanic-coloured cushions and pillows. As the light dims, a glow is emitted from the carefully placed Corten steel lights, fashioned to emulate the mariner and fisherman’s lighting. The intentional incorporation of warm woody tones, orange Corten steel and pops of planting colours against the varied blue backdrop brings an instant feeling of calm and peace.

The slightly smaller and equally inviting and cosy ‘chill’ area is identified with its bright pop of turquoise-toned tiles and warm sturdy timber pergola gently enclosing the outdoor seating and fire pit. A perfectly natural segue from the dining area to the more intimate and relaxing quiet space where one can curl your feet underneath and settle into the comfy seating to take in the views over the dancing of flames into the long evenings.

The footprint of the existing patio attached to the house was extended outwards and the existing steps up to the garden were relocated more centrally allowing the views to be revealed either from within the house or sitting within the lower seating area. Raised planters and ground-level planting offered the opportunity to integrate soft coastal planting, subtle screening and privacy. The inclusion of herbs ensured that rich scents were carried by the breeze as soon as you approached the rear doors intermingled with the familiar scent of the ocean breeze and spray.

Our planting design continued to provide an explosion of contrasting pinks, oranges, purples and blues bouncing and weaving around the pathway and different areas, playing in the breeze. From the smaller seating area, the planting would reveal a set of stepping stones bringing you further towards an area allocated for washing off the sea and salt on coming up from the beach after a swim or surf before joining the family to relax and warm up.

We were delighted to be able to visit the garden recently, months after its installation, to see how it all had settled in. The owner was delighted to to show us all the different viewpoints from within the house and outside what continued to catch their eyes each time and how it would make them pause and stop to take it in. The different zones had merged with the whole garden and its surroundings effortlessly and when the weather proved in good form, very much utilised and enjoyed by all.

This was a project that we thoroughly enjoyed designing and putting together for the family, there quite a few elements to incorporate and consider and we believe we have done so with an organic and natural design that brings you from the front garden and on into the rear green space continuing to be used and enjoyed by the family for many more years to come!