Gardens
Photos due 2025
About
Hello!
I offer imaginative garden design and planting design to homeowners and commercial clients.
​I started designing gardens as a way of combining my love of plants, the outdoors and great design.
​I studied at the Oxford College of Garden Design, where I was taught by some of the industry's leading designers and specialists.
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Think of a beautiful garden you've visited. What made it feel so special?
You can have that in your own home. Plants, great materials and great design make all the difference.
​If you'd like to start making memories in your own beautiful garden, get in touch - info@sonyapinto.com
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I'm based in Addiscombe, Croydon (SE London), and work mainly in:
London - all areas including Clapham, Wandsworth, Dulwich, Putney & Streatham.
Surrey including Purley, Sanderstead, Coulsdon, Oxted, Woldingham, Wimbledon & Kingswood.
Kent including Sevenoaks, Orpington, Chislehurst, Beckenham & Bromley.
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​I started designing gardens as a way of combining my love of plants, the outdoors and great design.
​I studied at the Oxford College of Garden Design, where I was taught by some of the industry's leading designers and specialists.
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Find me on Instagram @sonyapintogardens
Services
FAQ
If you have a burning question that isn’t answered here please email or call me on 0777 960 9715.
Why do I need a garden designer?
A garden designer can offer you a range of creative, technical and horticultural knowledge. They can help you get the most from your budget, saving you time and money by avoiding trial and error. In that sense, our fees often pay for themselves. Ultimately a garden designer can lead you to a better, more cohesive result whether you're extending your home or just want to transform the outdoor space.
How much will it cost?
Planting design and a full garden design and build are very different in terms of cost.
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If you don't feel ready to commit to a full garden redesign, I can offer you a detailed consultation for a fixed price of £300 (no VAT). This includes a site visit, discussion with you and follow-up advice. If you then want a full redesign, I'd deduct the cost of the consultation. I typically do these visits within an 8km radius of Addiscombe (CR0), but I can travel further. To arrange a consultation, contact me by email or phone 0777 960 9715. Read more about consultations here.
​Planting design & container gardens - Changing your planting or adding containers can give you amazing results, with a much lower time and cost investment than that of a full redesign.
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A full garden redesign - The cost of a newly designed garden is sometimes compared to the cost of a new kitchen. It's certainly similar in terms of the enjoyment and value it can bring to daily life and to your property.
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A full redesign and build starts from around £25,000 for a smaller garden with simple built features. The cost will increase based on the size and complexity of your project. This broadly encompasses a design fee, the builders' fee, cost of materials, cost of plants and the cost of planting up the garden. Many garden designers typically recommend that you also keep a contingency reserve of 10 to 25%.
What's the best time of year to have your garden designed and built?
Should I wait until I'm living in my "forever home"?
Whatever time of year you contact me, I can work out a plan and timetable for the best time to design, build and plant your garden.
Don't wait to enjoy your garden!
A well-designed and maintained garden can improve the value of your home and help you sell later down the line. Re-designing your front garden can give your home instant appeal and demonstrates that you've cared for the property. Plus you get to enjoy it until you sell!
I'm not green-fingered and all my house plants have died. How can I be trusted with a garden?
All gardens need some maintenance to look their best, even the ones that haven't been professionally designed.
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At the start of the project we'll discuss how your garden will be cared for.
If life is busy or you just want some extra help, I can help arrange garden maintenance for you. I can even design "lower maintenance" planting schemes.
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That said, many people find their interest in plants grows as a result of having their garden designed. You might be one of them! You'll receive a plant care guide, telling you how to look after your new plants and, crucially, your soil.
I'm having an extension built. At what stage should I bring in a garden designer?
The earlier the better. That way the landscape can be designed concurrently with the house, helping us achieve a harmonious transition from the indoor to the outdoor areas. It may also mean the design and build processes can run in tandem, saving you time.
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Gardens are completely different from interiors. Garden designers and garden builders specialise in the outdoors. They're thinking about the effects of the weather, your soil, the broader local environment and all the other things that an indoor builder or designer never needs to consider!
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A extension wall or roof line can make a difference to the way the light falls in your garden, where you'll get the sun (and where you won't) and what you can grow. You'll want to position doors, windows and outdoor taps in a way that works in relation to the garden.
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Your plans for the garden might inform your interior design. Maybe you'd like your indoor/outdoor paving to match or co-ordinate.
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There might be changes in ground level - a garden designer can make the steps a beautiful part of your garden rather than just an access route.​
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The best time to have this input is early in the process, before your extension is designed and built.
Garden design process
Phone consultation
& a site visit
What do you want from your garden? Let's talk.
​A free 15-minute phone consultation, followed by a site visit.
You might already know what you want from your garden, or maybe you need ideas.
​You'll receive a written brief setting out agreed goals for the project, our process and our fees.
1
Concept design
An initial plan, focusing on layout
A survey will capture the current layout of the site, including ground levels.
We present a initial layout plan for your new garden, plus 3D images and mood boards. After discussion with you and any adjustments, this "concept design" forms the basis for all subsequent work.
2
Developed design
A final "master plan" for your garden
We turn the concept design into a detailed master plan. You'll have input on paving materials and a sample planting palette.
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4
Planting plans
Selecting your new plants​
A full planting plan for your new garden.
Once the garden is built, we supply the plants, set them out and plant the garden, following the planting plan.
You receive a plant maintenance guide which includes pictures to help you identify each newly-added plant.
We can put you in touch with local gardeners to help you maintain your new plants.
5
Build & site inspection
Experienced landscape builders and a point of contact for you
We can help you find an experienced landscape builder.
​During the build, we can conduct site visits to monitor progress, act as your point of contact and ensure the garden is built according to the plans. The frequency of site visits is up to you.
We will set out the plants when the build is complete.
3
Technical drawings
Drawings for the landscapers who will build your garden.
These detailed plans include dimensions, lighting locations, drainage, re-shaped levels/contours, irrigation and construction details.
For more complex projects we can involve a structural engineer.
