As you step into Julie Aldridge’s garden, the wider world seems to slow down. Behind her picturesque cottage, she has created a serene collection of secluded outdoor spaces away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Dotted around the periphery are the most perfect of private pockets, each designed in a cohesive contemporary cottage style with a wealth of handmade details and inspiring ideas.

The garden presented an intriguing opportunity to unearth and untangle overgrown and forgotten areas. An existing pond garden was past its best, outbuildings requiring some TLC and feature walling hidden from view. The space was in need of a gentle helping hand.

Over time, Aldridge has given this garden a new sense of purpose. She considered how it could be used with the aim of being able to spend every free hour outside. She first observed the light to see where the best suntraps and shaded areas might be. She then worked with nature to help the garden flourish. Crops and flowers for cutting were helped to thrive, and the existing structures and inherited shrubs carefully examined to decide what should be encouraged, revamped and rescued.

Particularly rewarding was the chance to update the garden buildings with reclaimed materials and furniture. A potting shed was reborn from a cluttered and down-at-heel cabin. Blighted boards on the walls were replaced with wooden cladding and linoleum was laid on the floor to make it easy to keep clean. An existing wooden bench was sanded down and practical shelving was made from upcycled delivery crates. Further storage is provided by a beautiful old dresser/hutch, an antique-shop find that now houses a collection of vases and garden pots.

The greenhouse was another rescue project. Once a local gardener had fixed the broken panes, a few low-cost changes made a big difference. First, Aldridge painted the framework with a black eco-friendly wood stain to give it a contemporary look. Inside, she added simple floorboards, hessian drapes, a repurposed table and festoon lights. Now the space beckons to be used at all hours, for all manner of purposes.

The summer house, which had been cherished by the previous owners, was also saved and strengthened with side wall supports. Over the years, repainting work on both inside and out, hessian drapes, new furniture and lights have kept it looking fresh. Overlooking the pond, it offers a chance to watch the wildlife or to wind down and enjoy the reflection of the light on the surface of the water.

The garden is very much a private place, but Aldridge has created a summery suntrap that is ideal for cooking, dining and socialising when she has guests. In this formerly overgrown area, which she has cleared of cobwebs, clutter and a run-down shed, masonry paint has been utilized to make a beautiful floor on a budget. Fruit beds and trees offer plot-to-plate inspiration, and bamboo and grasses have been combined with stylish shading. The small outdoor kitchen can accommodate slow-roast Sundays or quick-fire pizza parties.

Every garden vista has been designed to promote a peaceful and soothing experience. A measured tonal mix of white and green planting blends with monochromatic furnishings. Texture can be found in the worn vintage materials, which lend a comforting and informal touch.

The garden offers mood-boosting benefits, too. Well considered lighting creates an enchanting atmosphere at dawn and dusk, seating areas are surrounded by beautiful scented herbs and there are plenty of opportunities to observe and engage with the local wildlife. There is a simple satisfaction in being able to disconnect on a daily basis within one of its many secluded spots. This is a place to rebalance and restore.

Seats in a variety of heights and styles are on offer in this casual outdoor sitting room. The rug, pouffes, garden bench and upholstered sofa reflect the monochromatic scheme, with a cohesive mix of geometric patterns. It is an inviting place to sit and relax.

One of Julie’s favourite garden projects was the greenhouse. Saved from the scrapheap, this year-round room features simple hessian drapes, wooden flooring and adaptable furniture. The rustic textures of these reclaimed and recycled materials are well suited to the garden environment. The overhead lighting is magical when the evenings draw in.

The perfect recipe for an outdoor kitchen space features plenty of storage, as well as space for food preparation and cooking. Julie’s kitchen is made of cast concrete and birch ply, and was finished with an exterior paint and stain from Protek. The work surface has been designed to fit around her outdoor grill and stove, and there is room for an occasional pizza oven, too.

The styling and revamping of the old, existing summer house is one of the garden’s success stories. Making good the wall panelling, updating the interior and exterior paint and covering unsightly roofing structures with hessian drapes have brought a contemporary country feel. The building now has many uses and is best seen and occupied at sunset when the lighting is at its most beautiful.

From: Gardens for the Soul: Sustainable and Stylish Outdoor Spaces, by Sara Bird and Dan Duchars, published by Ryland Peters & Small (€30). Photography by Dan Duchars © Ryland Peters & Small.