When I look at Swedish gardens, I always feel so optimistic. Especially this time of year (winter). It is always so hard for me to imagine the long, bright green days of summer when everything outside is short, dark, and white. Sweden is notably like New England (except a little darker and a little colder) in many ways and seeing a garden emerge from that landscape always makes me more optimistic that my own winter browns will refresh to lush greens.
Ogling over Swedish gardens (and especially a garden makeover) makes me feel better. By my logic, if they can make amazing gardens (with their even colder, even darker winters), certainly we (in all places outside of the Arctic Circle) can too.
So here is a little before and after of a Swedish sideyard. Designed by Mariana Sjoberg, it should spur you on to think about possibilities for your own unused outdoor space.
Before & During – Adding The Circle Wall (Or Do we call it a Moon Gate?)
I love how the whole place feels so much more special with the addition of the circle gate. Entrances always matter to garden design. They really set the stage for how you will feel as you pass through them and into whatever is next.
After the Addition of the Slatted Circle Gate
The circle is making the whole space feel a little broader and more substantial (it is actually narrow and awkward in shape and size). It offers a different focal point (i.e. the center of the circle) and distracts from the skewed angles of the raised beds and the trellis that aren’t as welcoming.
It is a great study in how to make a small and awkward space feel bigger and more inviting.
Another point of design inspiration to take from this project is to think about the traffic flow you are creating. Maybe the sideyard doesn’t always have to be a pass-through. It is ok to make a dead end. By changing the traffic pattern, you might find that you can use the area in a whole new way.
Side yard gardens often suffer from a lack of interest and are an afterthought for the garden design – but this gate puts this side yard front and center.
To see more images and read more about the transformation, visit Mariana’s Blog.
images Mariana Sjoberg
What a nice moon gate. I also like the very dark grey houses.