A new-build garden gives you a blank canvas but there were two primary challenges with this project, at a property in the west of the Surrey town: an awkward shape; and a large retaining wall that dominated the space. We designed a courtyard-style garden blending ornamental and edible plants to create a potager (kitchen garden) feel. Porcelain paving and resin-bound aggregate paths strike a contemporary note, mirrors create a sense of space and strong circular geometry detracts from the triangularity of the garden. The owner requested a shady, secluded spot in which to sit, hence the pergola.