A garden built for time

How the right materials turn a compact garden into a genuine sanctuary.

Lisa Norton of Harrogate Garden Design is one of the few qualified biophilic landscape design practitioners in the UK, with a specialism in creating outdoor spaces that do more than look good. Her work is grounded in the science of how natural environments affect us, and every material decision reflects that thinking.

This project, for a recently retired couple in North Yorkshire, is a good example. The brief was simple but meaningful: a true sanctuary, somewhere to lose themselves after decades governed by the clock. To achieve it, Lisa specified Kast Sand Concrete Effect Outdoor Porcelain alongside Dijon Blend Tumbled Limestone Cobble, a combination chosen as much for how it feels underfoot as how it looks. We asked her how it came together.

Can you tell us a little about the brief?

Our clients were recently retired PE teachers, governed by the clock and the academic calendar for over thirty years. Their brief was to create a true sanctuary within their garden, a space where they could lose themselves and relax away the time. Claire loves clean lines and an uncluttered feel, which is why we chose Mandarin Stone large-format tiles to reduce jointing lines and create a feeling of scale within a compact space. Above all, they wanted a beautiful view from their sunroom to enjoy throughout all four seasons.

The Kast Sand and Classic Dijon Blend cobbles are a really interesting combination. Was that contrast always part of the plan?

We chose the Kast Sand tiles for their clean, expansive look and generous size, bringing a sense of openness into a smaller footprint. The 1m-wide tiles form a generous pathway leading seamlessly through the garden toward the relaxing areas.

Rather than creating a harsh colour contrast, we wanted a contrast in scale and texture. The Dijon Blend cobbles act as a subtle frame around the seating zones, creating a tactile “rug effect.” Both products look and feel incredibly premium and harmonise beautifully together.

How do material choices, texture and tone contribute to the feeling of a garden?

Kast Sand tiles have a soft, subtle grain which offers the warmth and tactile feel of natural stone while retaining sharp, clean-lined edges. Complementing this, the Dijon cobbles bring a slightly tumbled, organic texture into the layout. Together, they create a balanced sensory experience: smooth and expansive underfoot on the main pathways, yet textured and grounded within the framed seating nooks.

Is there a detail in this project you’re particularly proud of?

The precision planning behind the layout is what really sets this project apart. Exact spatial mapping of the tiles alongside the threshold and slot drainage meant that as you step out from the back door, the 1m tiles align perfectly, creating an uninterrupted, level-threshold journey straight to the pergola seating area.

The planting scheme elevates the hardscaping by softening its edges. We used Iris for clean, architectural foliage, Geraniums to spill gently over the stone borders, and Hakonechloa macra to provide a lush abundance of green leaves that pop against the warm tones of the Kast Sand.

Your work has a strong biophilic design ethos. How does that influence your material choices?

As one of the few qualified biophilic landscape design practices in the UK, we are passionate about weaving scientific principles and human-nature connections into all our work. Every specification decision links back to this ethos. We purposefully select materials that evoke and re-establish our connection to the natural world. Mandarin Stone products align with this approach effortlessly, consistently elevating our designs through their authentic textures, organic tones, and enduring quality.

Finding the right materials for your outdoor space.

The right outdoor tile does more than perform. It sets the tone for how a space feels, how it ages, and how much you want to spend time in it. Whether you re designing a considered garden scheme or simply looking for a surface that works as hard as it looks good, our teams across all showrooms can help you find the right combination for your project.

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