Transformed Lawn at Hampnett House: Replacing the Vacant, Muddy Area with a 'Vibrant Blossoming Abundance' in Gloucestershire
On a sweltering summer day, the herb garden nestled beneath a grand Victorian rectory in the heart of the Cotswolds hums with pollinators and the Amin family. Alongside the buzz of bees, hoverflies, and bumblebees, they pick calendula flowers and sage leaves—the former for a snapshot, the latter to concoct a natural honey. Stray wild strawberries have rooted in the garden's gravel edges, finding refuge under the shade of a mulberry tree. Its limbs drape over a bed of lemon balm, rosemary, and mint—a concoction that will yield various tinctures, oils, and remedies.
The picturesque 1872 stone rectory dominates the top of a sloping terrain, cascading in stepped terraces that offer breathtaking vistas. Victorian builders creatively managed the slope by constructing two sturdy stone fortresses, atop one of which the herb garden reigns—commanding the panoramic view.
Beyond the formal flower garden, the eye is drawn to a meadow carpeted with an undulating golden hue, fringed by hedges, and beyond lies distant woods. The garden's planned areas, including lawns and a minimalist-designed swimming pool, encompass a mere two acres, allowing the more extensive five-acre land to flourish as an orchard, woodland, and a lake-adjacent meadow teeming with wildflowers.
The blending of landscapes into the soft, rolling folds of the Cotswold hills creates a harmonious union between property and environment.
Herbs, hybrid teas, and single-flowered perennials unfurl gently across the terraces, their colors blending effortlessly in a muted palette of dusty pinks and demure purples. Splashes of cerise-hued 'Mutabilis' and deep-burgundy 'Knautia macedonica' punctuate the scene, providing accents of vibrancy against the gentler hues.
Welcoming the family's desire for a natural sanctuary, designer Jinny Blom was brought in just a couple of years after they moved from a city flat in 2017. Upon her arrival, she found the garden devoid of life, its current design favoring hard landscaping and rigid box hedging that capitalized on structure over beauty. The family's move from urban life aimed to foster a more natural environment, full of wildlife and foraging grounds.
In the absence of color and life, the garden was a stark contrast to its tranquil surroundings. Observing the garden's desolation, Jinny set out to rescue and revitalize the space, aiming to merge it harmoniously with the landscape while maintaining the practical aspects of the hardscaping. A crucial component of her plan was the preservation of an impressive stone table, caringly crafted in the Sierra Nevada and shipped to the Cotswolds.
To create a more welcoming and inviting atmosphere, Jinny simplified the garden's layout, rearranging spaces, and incorporating flower beds where none had existed before. The primary focus, however, remained planting. After a grueling two years of clearing, the new garden was taking root.
To accommodate the shifting needs of the design, Jinny introduced new hardscaping elements. The pool area, previously mere grass, was paved to provide a sturdy base. The flagstones were softened with bedding and planting, while the surrounding garden was transformed into a gravel-inspired space. The dried-out gravel areas near the house were replaced with low-maintenance gravel paths, adorned with flower beds and climbers enveloping the house walls.
Her goals for the house's transformation were ambitious—to imbue it with a romantic charm reminiscent of Gilbert White and the enchanting Ashton Wold. In faithfully following this vision, the garden has been reborn, embracing diversity and enchantment in a breathtaking embrace of the natural world.
The Amin family's transformation of their Cotswold home and garden reflects their desire for a natural sanctuary, merging lifestyle with gardening from the design of their garden to the cultivation of herbs and wildflowers. The garden's renovation, led by designer Jinny Blom, has resulted in a breathtaking harmonious union between property and environment, blending home-and-garden, fashion-and-beauty, and home improvement into a vibrant, enchanting outdoor space that encapsulates a charming lifestyle.
