The Design Studio

Richard Miers’ award-winning practice has been designing gardens both in the UK and abroad for nearly 30 years. From country houses to the London town gardens, Richard’s team of talented designers and landscape architects combined experience covers a wide range of projects all of which is brought to bear in every new design.

Recognised as a respected leading light in the industry and named ‘People’s Choice’ award winner at the Chelsea Flower Show 2022, the studio prides itself on its ability to transform ordinary outdoor spaces into the extraordinary. Working with specific craftsmen chosen over many years through careful selection and cultivation, the studio delivers high-end finishes to gardens which are unique, distinctive and exclusive.  

The practice puts its clients at the heart of the design process, working closely with them every step of the way to deliver truly exceptional, classically contemporary and timelessly elegant gardens which have a positive impact on the environment. 

What can you expect when you work with us? It’s a six-step process...

Step 1: Initial consultation

In this visit, you can tell us about your aspirations for the space and how you’d like to use it. We’ll discuss ideas – including options for the style, plants and materials. Following this, we will send you a design brief, including these initial ideas.

There is a fee for this initial consultation, which is refundable if you proceed with a full design.

Step 2: Garden design masterplan

This stage brings together your wishes and our creative ideas. We will create a design concept, scale drawings, 3D models and perspective drawings showing the use of space. This will indicate where trees, shrubs and hedges might be planted, as well as the location of mixed beds. The designs will show areas such as terraces, paths, sculptures, water features and containers.

We will present these ideas to you and then finalise or adapt, based on your feedback.

Step 3: Getting into the detail

At this stage, we produce working drawings and written instructions - including detailed layouts of hard landscaping, lighting and further detail on the plants to be used - as well as sourcing materials. Our involvement in this process allows the garden to be constructed to the highest standards, and it means you can benefit from our years of experience.

Step 4: Selecting a contractor

At this point, the garden can be priced - using a scope of works document. We will meet potential contractors on-site to explain the design, drawings and written instructions. They then submit detailed costings, from which we can recommend the best team for the job.

Step 5: Build

When involved from concept through to completion, we can ensure every detail of your garden is perfect. We can make any little tweaks needed as the garden takes shape. Being on-site also means that we can help resolve any unforeseen issues.

We like to help our clients select and lay out plants and trees, as well as providing advice on the finer details of your garden – from furniture to plant supports to string for roses!

Step 6: Your garden’s evolution

Once your garden is built, we’d love to continue to help with its evolution. That might mean advising your gardener on how best to maintain it. Or, further down the line, it might include considering new ideas - from introducing a colony of snowdrops to a quiet corner, to rejuvenating an herbaceous border, or adding or rethinking an area of the garden...

Interested in finding out more? Please get in touch using the contact details below.