The Rule of Thirds – Luxury Garden Designs
The Rule of Thirds
One of the fundamental design principles I was taught with the Oxford College of Garden Design was ‘The Rule of Thirds’, a concept developed by the late great designer John Brookes MBE.
Ultimately it helps inform what shapes we might use in different parts of the garden as well as the types of materials that are to be applied. In the areas closest to the house, the first third, shapes and materials that compliments the main property will be used. This will be the most formal area, built upon geometric shapes with strong bonds. This could include for example a dining terrace and formal pond.
In the middle third, you move away from hardscaping of stone or porcelain paving, to an area of cut lawn or well laid shingle paths with a less formal feel developed through the materials and the planting schemes, maybe allowing for more naturalistic planting.
In the final third, in larger gardens, you might see mown pathways cut through rough grass or areas of wild flowers maybe alongside an orchard or a large natural pond – where possible taking in the borrowed views and influences of the local countryside. This ‘third’ may move into curvier and sweeping shapes pulling you further into the garden.
Garden Design Experts
This is one of a number of principles in Garden Design that we would use that will help deliver a garden you can be proud of and enjoy to the full. Whether you want a modern garden design or something more traditional.
You will see many gardens designed with what look like isolated shapes dropped into the garden or very amoebic shapes that sit uncomfortably with their surroundings in an attempt to be creative. As John Brookes would say, ‘you wouldn’t put an amoebic shaped carpet in a rectangular room’. What we will create at DP Garden Design are gardens that are harmonious with their environment, use a combination of strong interlocking shapes alongside planting schemes that soften the overall feel so you have a garden that sits comfortably with your property and your eye.
Your Landscape Garden Design Journey
To find out more about our garden design services, packages, or gardening services, please get in touch or email us on info@dpgardendesign.co.uk.
We provide pristine, professional garden design solutions in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Surrey, Berkshire and West Sussex.
