For garden designers the temptation is often to overcomplicate. With this project – a multi-level outdoor space of a family home in Frensham, near Farnham – we made a concerted effort to keep things simple. Materials that are traditional but also give a contemporary feel were utilised, dovetailing with the aesthetics of the main property. The design included brick and stone paving, and planting around the large lawn featured a mix of formal and informal plants including lavender, stachys and topiary.