Testimonials

My clients are individual, diverse and all have specific requirements. My intention is to work `with` my clients, working towards the `Vision of the garden` Or to resolve elements and issues related to their exterior spaces.

Client requirements and focus vary greatly, ranging from a consultation to a complete design and project management. And everything in-between, such as: plant design or lighting design/ installation, timber and metal work design/installation. Developing a specific area in the garden, maintenance or renovation works.

This diversity allows me to grow and develop as a professional Garden Designer, enabling me to learn new skills and add knowledge to my work.

The testimonials are written by clients who are all extremely different in themselves and their `garden` aspirations.

Project: Courtyard Garden

Out-line Design of the hard and soft landscaping ,Water Feature Design , including site supervision and management.

Conceptualized as simple, with clean-lines and geometric shapes.  Integrating natural stone paving, rendered walling, lighting and a brushed stainless steel water piece. Planting softly with an essence of lush and richness.

“I spent a year renovating a house in Notting Hill, and asked Laara to do the garden. Laara was efficient, punctual, knowledgeable, creative and resourceful. She outshone all the other professionals and contributors to the project”
- Mr.Scott, London

Project: An in-depth Enviromental Report

An in-depth report covering Environmental, Tree and Plant care issues, and an Imposing construction adjacent to a residential community.

“Laara helped us at a difficult time in a situation which would not have been a normal brief. We are tremendously grateful to her for supporting us and the knowledge which she bought to this unique landscaping problem. Laara submitted a written report on our behalf which highlighted the unsuitability of a project adjacent to our house, we our confident that this was crucial in the final decision not to go ahead with the project. Laara also bought a much needed optimism and good humour to the situation.”
- Twickenham , Surrey

Project: Crown Topiary

“We have supplied laara for the last 10 years with topiary. She is a designer who demands high quality plants and always sources the best possible for her clients.
   We have had the opportunity to work in a number of Laara’s gardens and are always impressed with the individuality and creativity she manages to capture by use of plants and other medium. Having that rare ability to conceptualise where and how to place plants and structure. We would not hesitate to recommend Laara as a garden designer and project manager.”
Anita Southwell and Wendy Hammond

 

Project: Planting Design for a large communal garden.

Oakfield Court Residents Association in Crouch End, north London recently undertook a replanting project of the large communal gardens surrounding our 1930s apartment buildings.

“Working together with Laara we were able to negotiate a plan suitable for the scale of the grounds, the limited budget available and the need to work with a committee of residents and the managing agents of the property. This is by no means a straightforward task but Laara has undertaken it with professionalism, flexibility, understanding and the sense of humour needed. ”
“Laara has produced a plan for our gardens that reflects the needs and desires of a wide range of tastes but has also been able to guide us in a clear direction. We have benefited from her direct contact with nurseries to save on the considerable cost of plants needed to fill such a large space. We are presently working with our managing agents who act as ultimate overseers of the project but look forward to starting the project proper soon and with Laara’s help seeing some long cherished hopes and garden dreams fulfilled.”
-Amanda Carrara
Co-chair, Oakfield Court Residents Association

Project: Plant Design, incorporating a lighting design, irrigation system and renovation of an existing water feature. Including Project management and site supervision

“Laara completely transformed our Large and mature triangular shaped rear garden with a beautiful sympathetic design. Her creative ideas from planning through to planting has given us a garden to enjoy for many years to come. We're thrilled and delighted with the result of the transformation and would have no hesitation in recommending her to our friends.”
-Mrs P Bloxham
Kingston upon Thames

Windsmere Stone and Granite

“Windsmere stone & granite are delighted to add our testimonial to Laara`s web site .We have been involved with Laara Copley-Smith for some 11 years , her knowledge and attention to detail is remarkable .All the jobs we have been involved in have run smoothly and on time , with the finished jobs being testament in their own right.”
-Steve Johnstone
Managing director
Windsmere stone & granite

Project: Project management and site supervision. Also a Maintenance contract.

Renovation of an existing rear garden and re-design of the front garden , incorporating planting design, lighting design, bespoke carpentry works.

“Laara and her team have provided us with a beautiful garden, with a splendid array of colours, which feature at different times, in different places throughout the year. We have limited time to spend on looking after the garden, and Laara has created an infrastructure which ensures as simple maintenance as possible. We have been impressed by the professionalism of Laara's team, and her ability to find reliable contractors - she herself is a highly-responsible project manager, and we have been very satisfied by her results. ”
- Mr.Strachan, Kensington

 

 

 

Project: Re-design of the rear garden, including planting plan and lighting design.

“Following detailed discussion and provocative thinking about our objectives, aspirations and preferences, Laara produced the most detailed proposals for a complete re-arrangement of our garden involving both hard and soft landscaping. These were beautifully presented with the most detailed and precise drawings with colour where appropriate.

These reflected perfectly the brief which we had evolved with her and bore testimony to her huge knowledge of both hard landscaping materials and also shrubs, trees and plants of all descriptions. She readily introduced contractors and suppliers of the highest quality for the execution of the work, the first stage of which has now been completed. We are extremely pleased with the result.

We consider ourselves fortunate indeed to have been introduced to Laara Copley-Smith and have no hesitation in recommending her to future clients . ”

-Mr & Mrs Stephens , Surrey

 

 

 

Project:Re-design , incorporating natural materials, water and planting.

“Laara designed our garden in Ealing some years ago. It is a small, but well used and appreciated space. I have been interested in Japanese art and culture for many years and wanted to incorporate some elements of Japanese gardens into our scheme. Laara achieved this within the confines of some existing features by the use of small beach pebbles, bamboo and a gentle water feature. She produced a number of detailed design drawings at the start of the project to allow us to see the possibilities and input a few changes. We were very pleased with the final effect and have spent many happy hours there.
She has an easy going but professional manner and attends carefully to your particular needs yet gently improves on them. She has a keen sense of design and a great sense of space, which was important in our small garden.

I think of her gardens as works of art that use natural materials in their creation.”

-Alan S (Professional Artist), West London