0:00:02 > 0:00:04With her can-do attitude, love of simple gardens,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06and decades of experience...
0:00:06 > 0:00:07Hello!
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Charlie Dimmock is one of Britain's best-loved gardeners.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Looking good, boys.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16But the new kids on the gardening block are the Rich brothers.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19We want to be the brothers that change people's perceptions of gardeners.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Winners of multiple medals at the Chelsea Flower Show...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24- Oh, wow. - Look at it turn.- Amazing, isn't it?
0:00:24 > 0:00:28..the boys have become known for their dramatic outdoor spaces.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Now these two different generations of gardening are going head-to-head.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38I know they've got a gold medal, but I can come up with a few ideas.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42They're meeting frustrated garden owners across the country.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45The photos made it look tiny. It is, isn't it?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I'm sure you've seen larger.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48I don't know what to do with it.
0:00:48 > 0:00:54And will need to pitch them a design based on their needs and budget.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55That looks really exciting.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57It doesn't look like it could be our garden.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58The winner...
0:01:00 > 0:01:02..brings their design to life...
0:01:02 > 0:01:03Hold on, hold on.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Sweet as a nut.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07..and the loser has to help them build it.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Oh, I'm getting irritated now. We're just faffing around.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12This is what happens...
0:01:12 > 0:01:14- Does he ever get irritating? - All the time.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16..when different styles collide.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Who chose these?
0:01:17 > 0:01:18One, two, three.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- This looks like your design!- Yeah!
0:01:22 > 0:01:26..to turn garden dreams into reality.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- Wow!- You can open your eyes.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- Whoa!- It's amazing.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31It's beautiful.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Today, Charlie and the Rich brothers are competing over
0:01:40 > 0:01:45a garden for a young family who are bursting out of their house.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47This design's going to be a bit different.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Lara and Mark moved into the house about ten, 12 years ago.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Love the house, but the children, Edward and Toby,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- are growing up and space is getting tight...- Oh, I see.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00..but they don't want to move.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Swimming coach Lara Hawkins and her husband, IT engineer Mark,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09live in Bexley in Kent with their sons, Edward and Toby,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11and their dog, Daisy.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16This is the only house we've lived in while we've had the children,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20so this is the garden that we've all grown up in together as a family.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24The boys have outgrown the house,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28preferring to play in the acres of woods that the garden backs onto.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32The boys are older now,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36so they're tending to use the garden a lot less than they did,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40so we want to try and get them back out in the garden again.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43The garden is split into two parts.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45The top section is just grass,
0:02:45 > 0:02:51while the lower part has become a storage area for bikes and play equipment,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55and it's just this bottom section that they want the garden rescue team to redesign.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59And there is one feature that it must have.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04Our wish-list for the garden and what we've saved up for is
0:03:04 > 0:03:11an outdoor cabin, so, a usable space, another room for us to use.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15This garden - it's the bottom area there - has to have
0:03:15 > 0:03:21a cabin that is a chill-out zone cum storage cum relaxation area.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23That's got me a little bit worried.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Do they want to get rid of anything that's there at the moment?
0:03:25 > 0:03:30- Sheds can go.- Ah, nice. - Tramp can move.- Nice.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33This part of the plot is only seven by seven metres,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36but has to include a multifunctional outdoor building and that
0:03:36 > 0:03:39could take up almost half of the space.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41But that's not all.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42In whatever's left,
0:03:42 > 0:03:47they'd like a garden that's inspired by their surroundings.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50What she would love to do, and Mark as well, is bring the
0:03:50 > 0:03:52woodland into that space,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55because it can't be built on and she feels like they're neglecting it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57It's quite a small space, isn't it?
0:03:57 > 0:03:59So, it'll be quite interesting how we're going to do that.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03We do appreciate that we're lucky that we have this nice backdrop of trees.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06It would just be lovely to sit down there and enjoy it,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08which is what we don't do at the moment.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10We don't really go down there.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14It's scruffy, it's tatty,
0:04:14 > 0:04:15it needs help.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19They may only want one part of their garden done,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22but with a high-spec building to include,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Mark and Lara have set a budget to match.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29So, we've saved up £4,500.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31The budget's four and a half thousand,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- but that cabin's going to make it go...- Yeah.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36It's going to be quite interesting trying to work with how to
0:04:36 > 0:04:39give them lots of space, but still keeping that cabin.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- Lots of space in a really small space.- I know, I know.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44When we get the garden of our dreams,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47we'll have a space that we can use all year round.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49The whole family can use.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52And enjoy it to the full, so, yeah, we're really excited.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Really looking forward to it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58This is a major conundrum for the designers.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Four and a half grand may be a healthy budget,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03but half of that could go on the cabin.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04And once that's in,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08will there be any space left in this area for anything else?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14With the challenge on the table, Charlie and the Rich brothers
0:05:14 > 0:05:18will now compete to make over Lara and Mark's garden.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22So, they're heading to Bexley to find out what they've let themselves in for.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Definitely a hard-working area. - It is, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Beautiful woodland, look at that.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- It's a really nice backdrop, isn't it?- Not my favourite.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- My most hated thing.- Yeah, I think we'll join you on that one, happily.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37I think once you get rid of a few of these things,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- it will be a dramatic difference how big it looks here.- Yeah.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Cos it's quite cramped, isn't it?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46To see how this small space could really help take the pressure
0:05:46 > 0:05:50off the house, the boys head inside for a snoop around.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Oh, it's quite a nice open-plan feel to it, isn't it?
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Yeah, I like it. Yeah, really nice.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02A bit clean, bit modern and, of course, our beloved sofas.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Real comfy sofas, yeah.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07I think we should differently try and put a sofa outside.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Pretty dreamy having one of these.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Yeah, there's quite a few toys, isn't there?
0:06:11 > 0:06:14So, maybe having an outdoor space means they can kind of chuck
0:06:14 > 0:06:17all that down there, and just have this as a bit more of an adult area maybe.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Yeah, I know what you mean. Get the bit of the clutter out, you know.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- The kids can have that, their space. Maybe one of the TVs.- Yeah.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- I'd like to be down there. - I'd definitely be down there.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27I'd like to have the nerf gun.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31The boys can see how the family would benefit from some extra room.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37But Charlie wants to know more about why they only want to change
0:06:37 > 0:06:39the lower part of the garden.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44This has obviously been a very well used area, with the sheds,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- the washing lines, the trampoline. - Yeah.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49What do you want it to do now?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52It's such a nice place to be, down here as well.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56And it's quiet, but we don't use it, but it could be usable.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So, we'd quite like a cabin, here.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01An indoor room, but outdoors in the woods.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Space where we can come to relax.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- So, chill-out area.- Chill out, yes.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- I've also noticed it's quite subtle colours in here.- Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12There's nothing that stands out too much.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15So, I think they'll quite like that natural, quite sympathetic feel in the garden.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Yeah, I like it. Balance between contemporary, nature.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19Yeah, key.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22The boys are feeling confident.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29But Charlie is trying to manage the couple's expectations.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33I have to say, by putting the den in, it means, space-wise,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- there's not much of a garden. - It's reduced, yeah.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The trampoline - has it got to stay?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41It could possibly go up that end.
0:07:41 > 0:07:42OK.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It won't be around forever, we appreciate that.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47He will, eventually, grow out of trampolining.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50What about what's left of the garden?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53What do you envisage seeing?
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- Something that blends in with the woods would be nice.- OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Yeah, somewhere that you can look out from, from the house,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02that makes you think, "I want to go down there."
0:08:02 > 0:08:06This really could be the designers' hardest challenge yet.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09A building for a family of four could be huge and then,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13in what's left of this space, they have to create a woodland garden.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19So, it's time for them to flex their creative muscles.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Each of them has to come up with a design for Lara and Mark's
0:08:22 > 0:08:26ideal garden within the £4,500 budget.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29The couple will then choose a winner, and the loser will
0:08:29 > 0:08:33have to swallow their pride and take orders from the victorious designer.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Having seen the tight space inside the house,
0:08:39 > 0:08:44the Rich brothers understand the couple's need for an extra building,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47while Charlie seemed more keen on creating a garden
0:08:47 > 0:08:50than providing an outdoor living space.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Can they impress Lara and Mark?
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- This, here, is the den or shed. - Yeah.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00It's very modern, very sleek.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01- It's a cube.- Right.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07It's got panels of glass that open up, so it's a good, big space
0:09:07 > 0:09:10that will be able to be used for lots of different things.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Your living space in there is quite open plan,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17and it can get quite busy quite quickly, especially having two kind of teenage sons,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20so, what we wanted to do, and, like, our main element to this
0:09:20 > 0:09:22is giving you this large cabin space.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25It gives you this little escape.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Both designers know how important the new building will be,
0:09:28 > 0:09:33so Charlie's opted for small, but stylish, square cube,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37while the boys are arguing that bigger is better, and have
0:09:37 > 0:09:40gone with a giant log cabin to fit with the woods.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43But what are they planning for what's left of this tiny area
0:09:43 > 0:09:45of the garden?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48So, we've got a patio area out the front here,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50so you can open the doors up.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53It's all about relaxation.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57It'll be a lovely area to go when they've gone to bed,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01so you can sit down there and relax yourself.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04We've put in a little outdoor sofa along with the fire bowl, as well.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08We got these concrete pads, kind of very smooth, very clean,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12very modern, and that creates a kind of stylish area and somewhere
0:10:12 > 0:10:13that becomes very usable.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16We do get a lot of moles from the wood, that's my only concern.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Oh, we'll make that concrete thick, don't worry.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22A mole won't go through the concrete.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24The boys are confident they'll keep the moles out with their
0:10:24 > 0:10:29concrete staggered patio, their seating area and dramatic fire bowl.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32But, with a smaller building,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Charlie's able to include two seating areas to the boys' one,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38and instead of a fire bowl,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41she's opted for her favourite type of focal point.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43We have a water feature here.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47A globe of brushed steel with a light in it.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48So, when it bubbles at night,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50all the water lights up at the top
0:10:50 > 0:10:52as it's running over gently.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56The next challenge was how to make the surrounding woods
0:10:56 > 0:10:59feel part of the garden.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- We wanted to be able to bring in the woodland into your garden.- Mmm-hmm.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05So, we've done that by having quite large, naturalistic flowerbeds.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08We've also brought in two small trees, as you can see here,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and we did that because it really blurs the lines between
0:11:11 > 0:11:13your garden and the woodland.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18Thinking about the woodland area, I have, along the bottom here, the fence.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22So, you've got solid panels but you've also got louvered panels.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26We'd still want a gate to access the woodland.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31You'll have a solid gate, but every other panel will be louvered.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33So, you can sort of see through,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- but people can't really see in.- OK.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Charlie has also added a feature tree to create a little magic.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47This is a beautiful, multi-stemmed cherry tree,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49but I've got it uplit.
0:11:49 > 0:11:50So, at night-time,
0:11:50 > 0:11:55that'll be like an oasis of light at the bottom of your garden.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59By contrast, the boys are being more practical.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02We wanted to give you this extra storage space for mower and bikes,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06so that this area doesn't become cluttered, cos I think it's quite important -
0:12:06 > 0:12:09cos it's not going to be massive - to really utilise it.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13This area is really all about chill out, relaxation.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16A little escape to get away from the house and just enjoy
0:12:16 > 0:12:20a naturalistic, but also quite clean and contemporary, space.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22These designs couldn't be more different,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25but Mark and Lara now have to pick one.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31I think it's really difficult. I really like both of them.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35I can kind of visualise this one a little bit better than this one.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38I really like the water feature that Charlie did.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Erm, I really like this one.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I like the way that it leads you,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- the straight lines lead you to the woods.- Yeah, I can see that as well.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49I quite like the amount of trees.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- So, I think with Charlie's it was broken up a little bit more, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56We had a living space down here, which was lovely,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59because you were looking out onto the woods this way,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02so I could see exactly where she was going with that.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Yeah, they look really different. - Mmm.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07This is turning into a split decision.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13Lara seems drawn to Charlie's modern cube, spherical water feature
0:13:13 > 0:13:16and cherry tree with its sparkly fairy lights.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20But Mark prefers the Rich brothers design, with its large cabin,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23concrete pathway and fire bowl.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25But they can only pick one,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27so which one is going to be?
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Hello.- Hello.- Well, it's been a hard decision.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35We've had a long discussion and we've decided to choose this one.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- BOTH:- Aaaah!- The Rich brothers!
0:13:39 > 0:13:41The sofa did it.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46What is it that kind of swayed you to go with us?
0:13:46 > 0:13:51We really liked the clear line of sight through to the woods.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- LARA:- We like the way that the woods are kind of brought into the garden
0:13:54 > 0:13:56so that it kind of merges as one, but the fire bowl would be
0:13:56 > 0:13:59too dangerous for our children - unfortunately.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02I'm sure we're going to combine as a team and, between us both,
0:14:02 > 0:14:04we'll create a beautiful garden for you.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Brilliant, thank you.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10So, the fire bowl has to go, but the rest of the design is a winner
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and the brothers are thrilled -
0:14:12 > 0:14:15but that's a heck of a cabin they're planning to include.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18The pressure will be on to make it feel part of the garden.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24It's the first day of the build.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28The Rich brothers are away arranging for the arrival of the new cabin.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30They've given forewarning that it's a monster,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33so the landscape team are on site clearing the way.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Some of the old garden buildings have got to go,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43so garden owner Mark is adding his muscle to help the team get them out,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46under the watchful eye of the family dog, Daisy.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Once this building is out,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54the landscapers can lay foundations for the new cabin,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57but project manager Kate's seen the weather forecast
0:14:57 > 0:14:58and it's not good news.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- The weather is going to be our biggest enemy. - It's not looking good.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04We're supposed to be putting in poured concrete.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07It's saying, like, torrential rain later and the concrete will
0:15:07 > 0:15:09be running out of that bottom gate.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- Shall we go home then?- Erm...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15One thing you can't change in the garden is the weather,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19so with everything crossed, the team cracks on.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20Now the old shed has been removed,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24the team sets about getting the area ready for the new cabin.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27But, things are never straightforward.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29In the old garden, the shed faced the house,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32but the boys' cabin is meant to run along the fence
0:15:32 > 0:15:35and Scott and Adam have realised it's quite a slope.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41This means the bottom end of the new cabin will be higher than the top -
0:15:41 > 0:15:44something else the Rich brothers will have to deal when they arrive.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48So, at the moment, we're lifting some slabs.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51We've got a problem with the levels for the new cabin that's coming in.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It's always one of those things, until you get on site you're not
0:15:53 > 0:15:56too sure what you're going to have to overcome.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03The sub-frame goes in just in time, because the brothers' cabin
0:16:03 > 0:16:06has arrived and a new team of contractors gets straight to work.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11And it doesn't take long to see just how big it is.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Rather than have a bespoke structure built on site,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18to keep costs under control, the brothers have ordered the
0:16:18 > 0:16:22building from an online supplier, so it comes as a set size.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27At five by two and a half metres, it will occupy more than
0:16:27 > 0:16:31a third of the space, but it's what the client wanted.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36For the same size as this cabin,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40a house extension in the UK would cost an average price of £10,000.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45It's no surprise that garden owners are putting state-of-the-art
0:16:45 > 0:16:47buildings into their outdoor spaces instead.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52The modern garden building is like mini house.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56It can come double-glazed, Wi-Fi ready and fully wired,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58and is often cheaper than building an extension.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Large, wooden summer houses are ideal as alternative playrooms,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07hobby rooms or workshops.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Modern cubes and pods cost more,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14but are so high-spec they make perfect outdoor offices or gyms.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19And an outdoor building can even serve a novelty purpose.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22After all, who wouldn't like their own outdoor bar?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28The problem with the cabin in Mark and Lara's garden
0:17:28 > 0:17:30is that the more it goes up,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33the more it's encroaching on the rest of the planned garden.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37We think that we're not going to have enough room to put all of the
0:17:37 > 0:17:40concrete slabs in, so we're just working out at the moment
0:17:40 > 0:17:45how we can adjust it to the design, erm, and make everything fit
0:17:45 > 0:17:48as closely as we can to what the boys have put on their design.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Mark and Lara loved the brothers' choice of using poured concrete
0:17:52 > 0:17:55to create a modern, staggered pathway.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57On the design, there are meant to be five panels...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04..but now Scott and Adam are constructing the wooden framework,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06there only seems to be room for three.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15We've just placed it in where we think we're going to put it and then
0:18:15 > 0:18:17we're going to send a picture to Dave and Harry and just make
0:18:17 > 0:18:19sure that they're happy with what we've done.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Scott has no choice but to send the boys the not-so-good news.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30So far, the rain has stayed off, so Scott and Adam
0:18:30 > 0:18:34make the executive decision to start laying the concrete.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Rather than using individual pavers,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46the brothers wanted big slabs to match the proportions of the cabin.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48This way, it will not only be an attractive feature,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50but serve as a pathway to the woods.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56With their design changing all the time,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00the Rich brothers and Charlie have arrived to take control.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03And, not surprisingly, the main topic of conversation
0:19:03 > 0:19:04is the giant cabin.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09The cabin is definitely taking up a large proportion of this garden.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Now, that's being polite.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13No, no, there's still loads of different elements within this
0:19:13 > 0:19:15that we're going to get stuck in to today.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- To make it look like a garden, not a collection of sheds.- Exactly.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- There's gravel. There's a green roof. There's plants...- Trees.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Yeah, trees.- Some semi-mature trees. That'll be nice.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25To make it actually a garden.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27We've got three beautiful trees to put in,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30that kind of echo the woodland and that borrowed landscape.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32So, that's going to be really nice. Me and Dave might even
0:19:32 > 0:19:34wander into the woodland if it gets too hot.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- Little bit of a... - All right for some!
0:19:36 > 0:19:39And also, the one thing that you always have to have
0:19:39 > 0:19:43to complement a really big cabin is another shed. For storage.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Because there's not enough shed space in there after the cabin.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48You've got to make sure you've got storage.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- So, what we're going to be doing is upcycling...- OK.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53..one of the current sheds they've got, but into something that
0:19:53 > 0:19:56looks a little bit smarter, little bit neater and fits into the space.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59And then we've got the sofa at the end to finish off that little seating area.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02So, there's lots of little things in this garden and hopefully
0:20:02 > 0:20:05it'll create this nice, little contemporary woodland space.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07But, being a small space, it will be done and dusted like that.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Yeah.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10Right, let's go. Let's go.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15More than half the budget had to go on the new cabin,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18so the brothers have decided to upcycle the old shed
0:20:18 > 0:20:21so Lara and Mark have an area for storage.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- Who's going up there then? - I'll go up.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Who's the lightest?- Oh!
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- No windows needed.- All right.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Luckily, Harry's wearing his climbing shorts today.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Oh, he scared now, isn't he?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38That's wiped the smile off his face.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Thank you very much.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Look at those chicken legs there.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51The building has to be rebuilt on the other side of the plot,
0:20:51 > 0:20:52so needs careful dismantling.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Meanwhile, at the front of the house, Charlie's on craft detail.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08The brothers have asked her to come up with something to dress the new cabin,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11so she's making some Japanese hanging planters.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Right, the boys have asked me to make some kokedama, which, er,
0:21:15 > 0:21:16translation means "moss ball".
0:21:16 > 0:21:19So, it's a moss ball with a plant growing in it,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22and what you really need is some clay, but we're going to add to it
0:21:22 > 0:21:27some organic matter and we're also going to put some sand in as well.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29So, it's like making mud pies.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36With Scott and Adam making a start on rebuilding the new shed,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39the boys set about creating a seating area.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Lara and Mark loved the boys' idea of a contemporary seating space,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49a separate area outside the cabin where they can relax and
0:21:49 > 0:21:50enjoy the woodland views.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56The reason we've put it here is because we wanted to keep it functional,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59so there needed to be a route through the garden to the woodland behind.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Also, it needs to kind of interact with the cabin a little bit and,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04being on the boundary here, it feels a little bit safer.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08It's quite nice to be surrounded by something, so it will be more of a comfortable seating space.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12And we're going to construct this wooden structure. It's going to be drilled and pegged,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and that's going to give you this nice area where we'll fill with gravel.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Once the outer frame for the seating area is done...
0:22:25 > 0:22:29..they level the space and then pop a gravel mat down.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39So, this here is the gravel matting. It's going to do two things.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43It's really going to help stabilise the gravel base and also stop it
0:22:43 > 0:22:45from moving around from too much when you're walking on it.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Then it's time to pour in five bags of grey gravel
0:22:50 > 0:22:53that the brothers have chosen for its contemporary look.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03We decided to use gravel in this garden cos it's a great,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06cost-effective material. And it's very natural. So, you know,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09we've got the backdrop of the woods, so it's really fitting.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13At the front of the house,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Charlie's making good progress with her kokedamas,
0:23:16 > 0:23:21and has chosen plants that are in keeping with the woodland theme.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23So, this is a hardy fern.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Hardy ferns are fabulous if you've got a shady area,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29especially if it's quite protected, because they literally keep
0:23:29 > 0:23:31going nearly all through the winter,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34and you get different textures of leaf,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38different colours of leaf, and look really woodlandy,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41and give that really green, lush feeling to an area.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Now Charlie takes her mixture of the clay, compost and sand,
0:23:48 > 0:23:52and packs it around the fern roots to make a sticky ball.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58She then wraps the whole thing in moss.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04And then winds it in string to keep the moss in place.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11The art of Japanese kokedama began in the early 1600s.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Originally, miniature bonsai trees were taken out of their pots
0:24:14 > 0:24:16and displayed in this way.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21While Charlie indulges in some Japanese crafting...
0:24:22 > 0:24:26..in the back garden, Harry's taking a less subtle approach
0:24:26 > 0:24:28to the old concrete in front of the cabin.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31We're going to start by breaking this concrete here
0:24:31 > 0:24:33so we can introduce a bit of planting.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35And that will knit the whole scheme together
0:24:35 > 0:24:37and really soften all the edges.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44One of the biggest challenges with this project is to make
0:24:44 > 0:24:47the giant building feel part of the new garden.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51And, in North Yorkshire,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54textile designer Georgia Wilkinson has done just that.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59She needed a quiet workspace to start her new business,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03so she bought a 1930s cricket pavilion,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07moved it to her parents' farm, and converted it into a studio.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13They were going to chop this gorgeous building up for firewood,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15unless anyone wanted to give it a new home.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19So, we decided to move it, and give it a new lease of life,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22and it's been the perfect building for my studio.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Structurally, there wasn't a lot to change in it,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29considering it was built in the 1930s, it's survived really well.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32The shed has lots of original features,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34it's not just been bought flat-packed and put up.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36It has a sort of history to it.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43The pavilion works really well for my business because it has the two,
0:25:43 > 0:25:44the home and the visitor side,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48which were there originally, and I've kept the two halves separate,
0:25:48 > 0:25:53so I do have my clean designing side, and then the workshop space
0:25:53 > 0:25:55in the home side, which works really well to keep the sort of
0:25:55 > 0:25:58messiness, I can shut the door on it at the end of the day.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07To turn a cricket pavilion into a garden building,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Georgia has dressed it with the tools of her trade...
0:26:11 > 0:26:14..as well as vintage furniture and ornaments to make it feel
0:26:14 > 0:26:16like home at her parents' farm.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Back in Bexley, the typically unpredictable British weather
0:26:24 > 0:26:29means we've ended up with sun, not rain, so next to Mark and Lara's
0:26:29 > 0:26:33new cabin, the giant concrete paving slabs have set already.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38So, Harry and David are carefully removing the wooden moulds.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Now the pathway and seating area are finished,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45the brothers can crack on with their planting scheme.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50We're putting some semi-mature trees into this garden,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and when it came to choosing what species, we took inspiration
0:26:53 > 0:26:56from the woodland that's literally just beyond the garden gate.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Lara and Mark love living so close to the woods
0:27:02 > 0:27:05and liked the way the boys reflected it in their design.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13And when it came to their choice of trees,
0:27:13 > 0:27:15the boys didn't have to go far for inspiration.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23When we came to this spot in the woodland,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25we knew we had to use birch.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Really beautiful, really delicate trees,
0:27:27 > 0:27:28and with a really light-dappled canopy.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Birch really does offer a lot because it's got this lovely,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33natural foliage in the summer.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Even in the winter,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37you've got this lovely kind of white and black stripped bark.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40So, you know, it's a great tree for a smaller garden.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46The boys have two birch trees to plant
0:27:46 > 0:27:48in the new bed by the gravel seating area.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- Straight in the pot. - Don't take him out!
0:27:55 > 0:27:58It's easy when they're not heavy. Sit him in.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I think when you've got trees like this,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03it really helps connecting with the natural landscape
0:28:03 > 0:28:06that's just beyond your garden, beautiful woodland here,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09so this is really just going to help draw the eye, make the garden feel
0:28:09 > 0:28:12a bit bigger, and just make it feel like part of the woodland.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15This soil's great, so we're not going to add any compost
0:28:15 > 0:28:17when planting the tree.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19But what we are going to do is give it a big drench
0:28:19 > 0:28:22and then top-dress it with compost so it keeps the moisture in.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Costing just under £300 for the pair,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28it's really important these trees are planted
0:28:28 > 0:28:30with a lot of care and attention.
0:28:32 > 0:28:38Meanwhile, out of harm's way, Charlie's kokedamas are nearly done.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- Look at these, these look great! Amazing!- I love them.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43This looks super fun, I'm quite jealous, actually.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I'm having a great time, so I don't need a hand at all, boys.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- It's like little antlers on that one.- How heavy are they?
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- Let's have a look. - They're not ridiculous.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- But you can feel the weight of the clay.- You don't need them
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- to be watered, probably.- You just stand them in a tray of water
0:28:56 > 0:28:59for ten minutes, and it sucks it all up.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Of course, the Sphagnum acts like a wick,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03drawing the moisture into the clay.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05If you wanted to hang them...
0:29:05 > 0:29:07Well, you just use string and tie them up.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- Or you can just place them on the wall.- It's stunning.- It's great!
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I'm really enjoying myself.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15I'm glad I've only got to do this and nothing else.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- I think you've done an epic job, Charlie.- Good.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20You're having fun out here, we're going to do some digging.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Sat in the sun. You've got cream on you, boys, haven't you,
0:29:23 > 0:29:24- in this sun? - No, I need to find some.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32Unfortunately for Charlie, this isn't the only job for the day.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36The lads need her skills to help plant tree number two.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38Lift that up.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40One, two, three.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41- Oh!- Oh!
0:29:41 > 0:29:42CHARLIE LAUGHS
0:29:42 > 0:29:43Did you bump heads?
0:29:43 > 0:29:48- There's not a lot of space for our big heads.- Too much hair, isn't it?
0:29:48 > 0:29:50It's like a hair battle, isn't it?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53And it's a good job, because the hole they've dug...
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Is that big enough? - One, two, three...- Let's find out.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58..isn't big enough.
0:29:58 > 0:29:59One, two, three...
0:29:59 > 0:30:03The trees will grow steadily but it will take 20 years for them
0:30:03 > 0:30:06to reach their maximum height of 18 metres.
0:30:06 > 0:30:07Oh, yes.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09One, two, three.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12There we are, that's better.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- Might need a little bit of water once it's in.- Yeah, yeah.
0:30:18 > 0:30:19One more tree?
0:30:19 > 0:30:23The third tree the boys have chosen for this space is an Amelanchier
0:30:23 > 0:30:26which produces white flowers in the spring.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Very nice tree.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29It is a beauty, isn't it?
0:30:29 > 0:30:33The boys want to train the tree so it spreads nicely along the fence.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37So, I'm just going to do it loose.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Whoa, too much! Up a little bit more.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Perfect, that's beautiful.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47So, with Charlie's expert help,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50they tether it so it'll grow into the shape they want.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Beautiful.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55That totally screens that fence panel, doesn't it?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Merges in with the oak, doesn't it?
0:31:01 > 0:31:04The under-gardener's next job is to start planting
0:31:04 > 0:31:05in front of the cabin.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09In the boys' design, the concrete slabs are interplanted
0:31:09 > 0:31:11to break-up the solid hard landscaping.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Righty-ho.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19So, the area I'm going to plant up now is between
0:31:19 > 0:31:20these concrete pathways.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25And the planting will just make it look sort of softer and more
0:31:25 > 0:31:28attractive, whilst still making it practical.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33And we've got a really gorgeous array of plants that will put up
0:31:33 > 0:31:36with someone treading on them, and it won't kill them,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40as well as looking very pretty because they all flower.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42They've got really gorgeous scents.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45So, we've got thymes, different thymes.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47This one's a more upright one.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50This one's a mat-forming one.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Oh, that one's lemon. Oh! Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59We've got Corsican mint, Which is very low and flat to the ground.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01And then we've got some chamomile,
0:32:01 > 0:32:06which won't take so much traffic, but we can have those on the edge,
0:32:06 > 0:32:10sort of, where people don't walk quite so often.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12And this is a bit looser.
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Again, so yummy.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Using scented plants in the pathway means that when the family walk
0:32:18 > 0:32:22on it, they'll brush against them, sending fragrance into the air.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26And because Lara and Mark are not dedicated gardeners,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28this bed is deliberately low-maintenance.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33These plants will happily thrive on little water and in poor soil.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40We now know that many beautiful plants can flourish
0:32:40 > 0:32:43in poor conditions, but back in the 1960s,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47garden designer Beth Chatto was one of the first to experiment
0:32:47 > 0:32:51with the concept in our changeable British climate.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57She transformed a disused car park into a wonderful gravel garden.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01We're in one of the driest parts of the country with
0:33:01 > 0:33:04only 20 inches of rain each year,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07and Beth really wanted to create
0:33:07 > 0:33:10a garden which looked beautiful,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12which didn't need irrigation.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18The soil here is very, very sandy, very poor, free-draining.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20All the plants are chosen
0:33:20 > 0:33:23because they're adapted to the dry conditions.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28And the gravel actually helps to keep or lock in the moisture.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33You can say it's a Mediterranean style of planting,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36but the plants come from all over the world.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Among the plants that thrive here are the sedums, verbenas,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41we have got Nepetas.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44It's really important to have all-year-round structure.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47In this garden, we use Cistuses and lavenders,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50so there's something there even through the winter months.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55This garden is not really about flower colour at all.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59It's about the contrasting shapes and textures.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00What they have got in common
0:34:00 > 0:34:03is that they thrive in these kinds of conditions.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Back in the Kent garden,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Charlie is busy planting her low-maintenance pathway.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17So, when you plant these, you want to make sure that
0:34:17 > 0:34:21they're sort of slightly lower than the surface.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26That way, they'll sort of mould into the concrete structure.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28And, to keep them looking good,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30you don't want them to go all woody and straggly.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34So, the best thing to do, once they finish flowering,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37is get a pair of scissors and just trim them over.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41That'll keep them nice and compact, and looking good.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Chamomile tends to be quite floppy.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Again, when it's flowered,
0:34:45 > 0:34:48just trim it up and that'll just keep that nice mat shape.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Meanwhile, the bosses are planning the next planting beds.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05In their design, the boys have chosen beds that mirror the shape
0:35:05 > 0:35:09of the cabin, and they're using wood edging to create a neat finish.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17But it's not long before landscaper Adam needs their muscle.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21He's created a frame for the upcycled storage shed.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Now all it needs is a roof.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Beautiful. So, we're just finishing upcycling this shed
0:35:32 > 0:35:33that we've recycled from the shed
0:35:33 > 0:35:35that was existing in the garden already.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38It's solid, it's sturdy, and it's looking really, really good.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40What we're going to do with this one
0:35:40 > 0:35:42is we're going to put a green roof over the top of it.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45So, what we've done is we've braced the roof, cos that's one of
0:35:45 > 0:35:47the first and most important things. You can't put a green roof
0:35:47 > 0:35:49on a roof that isn't strong enough.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51It's going to collapse, and that's not good.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53So, we've got some 3x2s here, just supporting that.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56The next thing, we've got a waterproof membrane, which is
0:35:56 > 0:35:59going to stop water permeating through and rotting the roof.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Then we're going to put a framework on top,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03and that holds all the plants and substrate in.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11David's adding 100 golden thymes.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14This evergreen perennial will provide all-round interest
0:36:14 > 0:36:17and pink flowers in late spring and early summer.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Dream on!
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Keeping the plants in their trays like this is definitely
0:36:24 > 0:36:26one of the easier ways to create a green roof.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29This really gives Lara and Mark the opportunity to change them up,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32mix and match the plants, and really have some fun with it.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39With the new shed in place and less boots on the ground,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43Charlie is helping Scott create a final concrete panel.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45There'd better be enough of this.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48This links the steps up to the house and will complete
0:36:48 > 0:36:49the brothers' staggered pathway.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58When this concrete panel is set, all the hard landscaping
0:36:58 > 0:36:59will be finished.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Harry and David have moved on to planting
0:37:03 > 0:37:05the three main beds in their design.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09With so much hardscaping in the garden,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13it's critical to choose the right plants to soften the space.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17We really wanted to keep the woodland theme in this garden
0:37:17 > 0:37:19but, because the aspect is a lot more sunny,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22it gives you the opportunity to use more ornamental plants.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26We've got things like Thalictrum, Astrantia, Calamagrostis,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29and all these kind of knit together to give this really lovely
0:37:29 > 0:37:31kind of understory feeling,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33and, you know, it's very green and very luscious,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36and with just a very muted colour palette,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39it knits this garden together really nicely.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42The team are now on the home stretch.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45And, while the boys beaver away,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49it's time for a final Japanese touch, courtesy of Charlie.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50Here we go.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53First two kokedama - I've made them so they're hanging ones.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- So, on the side of the...cabin. - They look epic, don't they?
0:37:56 > 0:38:00I love the authentic string. They're quite heavy, aren't they?
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- They're very heavy, yeah. - They're nice and wet.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Yes, I soaked them, and let them just drip dry.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Yeah, you need to face it up because I want the Hosta looking this way,
0:38:10 > 0:38:12- all right?- OK, boss.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15I think they're really cool.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17They look epic. Really, really cool, Charlie.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20All they need is a bit of a trim, and the cabin,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23like the rest of the garden, is complete.
0:38:26 > 0:38:27Just stay few days ago,
0:38:27 > 0:38:31the bottom half of Lara and Mark's garden was a scruffy, cluttered
0:38:31 > 0:38:36area, filled with two sheds, ugly concrete slabs, and a trampoline.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41Now it's had a £4,500 transformation.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46The cabin may dominate nearly half the space, but it's an essential
0:38:46 > 0:38:50part of the garden design, giving the family the extra room they need.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54But it's swallowed £2,500 of the budget,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57so the boys had to come up with a host of clever ideas to make
0:38:57 > 0:39:00the garden around it work for the money.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Rather than expensive stone pavers, they used concrete that was
0:39:06 > 0:39:08set in moulds to create a staggered pathway.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13The lines draw the eye towards the woodland behind,
0:39:13 > 0:39:18giving the illusion that the garden is bigger, all for £170.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21The boys built a contemporary seating area for the couple
0:39:21 > 0:39:23to enjoy the woodland view.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29They used £160 worth of grey gravel to achieve a sleek, modern feel.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35A new sofa that cost just under £250 completes the look.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40The brothers' choice of trees were inspired by the woods behind.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45They spent £350 on two birch trees and an Amelanchier.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Lara and Mark wanted a low-maintenance planting scheme,
0:39:52 > 0:39:58so the boys spent £550 on a mix of fragrant herbs, ferns,
0:39:58 > 0:40:00grasses, and ornamental plants.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06The boys upcycled the couple's tatty old shed into
0:40:06 > 0:40:08a new storage space.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12They then created another planting opportunity by making a green roof.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19Finally, Charlie made some Japanese kokedamas that now hang
0:40:19 > 0:40:20by the side of the cabin.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22At just £10 each,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26these are the quirky touch to complete the boys' garden scheme.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Harry and David have transformed this dilapidated area
0:40:32 > 0:40:35into a practical and stylish space.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- But is it everything Lara and Mark were hoping for?- There's a step...
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- now.- Here we go.- A little bit further, a little bit further.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Eyes closed tight.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Ready? Open your eyes and have a look at your new garden.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Ooh! Oh, wow!
0:40:54 > 0:40:56- What do you think?- It's beautiful.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- MARK:- It's fantastic. - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Really, really, really nice.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Oh, big smiles!
0:41:04 > 0:41:06It's brilliant.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- Yeah, it's brilliant. - MARK:- Loads of plants.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- HARRY:- It's definitely greener, isn't it?
0:41:10 > 0:41:12So much planting, love the gravel as well.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14It all looks so clean and fresh.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17We've got the low-lying scented plants here.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- We've got things like thyme, chamomile, Moroccan mint...- OK.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23So they'll smell beautiful.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26And if you walk over them, if you brush them, that's really nice.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Checking out the beautifully aromatic herbs.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31- LARA:- We've got some ferns.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- Yeah.- That's the only one I recognise! And a grass.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- Perfect.- There we are. So, we've got your cabin here.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39And given you a sofa over there.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Do you feel like, as a family now, you'll use this space a lot more?
0:41:42 > 0:41:46Definitely, yeah, without a doubt, it's a proper...
0:41:46 > 0:41:47Well, living area, isn't it?
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- MARK:- It's been transformed from something that was disused
0:41:51 > 0:41:54in the summer and abandoned for the rest of the year
0:41:54 > 0:41:56into something that we'll use all year round.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Exactly, that's what's so nice about having the cabin, isn't it?
0:41:59 > 0:42:00This has really made sure
0:42:00 > 0:42:03that they've got enough space for everyone.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- Oh, look!- Can you guess what that is?- Perfect!
0:42:06 > 0:42:08- MARK:- That's our old shed.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09LAUGHTER
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Recycled bike shed, looks like it's going down well.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Oh, it's perfect.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- It's been chopped about a bit. - I imagine!
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- Well, it doesn't look like the old shed.- It's stronger
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- than the old one, I can tell you that.- Brilliant.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22That's fantastic.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24We've got these little things that Charlie did,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26they're called kokedamas,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28so they're like a really cool way of having a hanging basket.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31- And then a little bit of thyme, gold thyme, on the roof.- It's perfect.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33It's lovely. Thank you.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35- HARRY:- No worries.- Pleasure. - Brilliant.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37With two growing sons,
0:42:37 > 0:42:41Lara and Mark's home has been feeling the squeeze.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Now they not only have an extra room but also
0:42:44 > 0:42:48a stylish, contemporary garden that they can all enjoy.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51I really like the redesign.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54I think it looks fantastic, it looks really light, it's spacious,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56it's got everything in there that we want.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58We couldn't have done the work ourselves,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and ended up with something so nice.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Now we've got a whole different garden. It's beautiful.