Discover the distinguished garden design projects by Raphael Grangeon. If you have a vision for your outdoor space, we invite you to contact us through our form to explore how we may assist you.

Raphael Grangeon’s passion for garden design began long before his formal studies at the prestigious Inchbald School of Design in London. Growing up on the lush, vibrant island of Réunion, he developed an early love for plants and flowers, inspired by the island’s rich botanical heritage. Later, after moving to London, he became captivated by the UK’s unparalleled horticultural tradition and discovered garden design as a profession.

 

Accepted into the renowned Inchbald School of Design, Raphael’s garden design journey reached new heights. Graduating with distinction, he honed his ability to blend the artistry of design with the natural beauty of plants. The Inchbald, celebrated globally for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on innovation, provided the perfect environment for Raphael to refine his craft. His studies emphasized both technical precision and artistic expression, enabling him to master the creation of gardens that are as functional as they are breathtakingly beautiful. This exceptional education laid the foundation for Raphael’s distinctive approach to garden design, where timeless elegance and thoughtful planning come together to create extraordinary outdoor spaces.

 

 

Explore a selection of Raphael Grangeon’s exquisite designs and technical drawings, created during his time at the prestigious Inchbald School of Design. These works showcase his mastery of blending artistic vision with precise technical execution, reflecting the rigorous training and creative excellence that define his approach to garden design.

 

A Garden For Creativity and Entertainment

 

 

The garden design, titled “A Garden for Creativity and Entertainment,” was conceived as an extension of the home, blending functionality with beauty. The concept emphasizes relaxation, al fresco dining, and creativity, offering distinct garden rooms tailored for entertainment and practicality. The design harmoniously integrates the Mediterranean aesthetic with modern functionality, featuring geometric tiles, Belgian brick paving, and a custom-built pergola that provides dappled shade.

 

The garden is structured into tiers, beginning with an informal al fresco dining area adjacent to the kitchen. This space is adorned with stylish geometric tiles and framed by raised beds planted with wisteria, small trees, and climbers to attract birds and insects. Progressing deeper into the garden, a series of wide, gentle steps leads to a formal dining and entertaining space, the sunniest part of the garden, with ample room for hosting large gatherings. The entertainment area is enriched with Roman-patterned paving and lush raised beds that add visual interest and fragrant blooms.

 

A key feature of the garden is the custom-designed studio room, a tranquil retreat for creativity and relaxation. With its bi-folding doors, the studio allows for an open, light-filled environment. Adjacent areas are surrounded by strategically placed planters and beds featuring evergreen hedges, multi-stemmed trees, and seasonal flowering plants. The studio’s placement at the far end of the garden invites exploration while creating an intimate focal point.

 

The planting scheme further emphasizes sensory engagement. Carefully selected perennials, aromatic shrubs, and colorful blooms encourage visitors to stop, smell, and immerse themselves in the garden’s ambiance. Japanese stepping stones and an informal bench add playful touches to the space, guiding visitors through this thoughtfully curated landscape. This garden merges functionality with artistic vision, establishing an inspiring outdoor sanctuary.

 

The Formal And Nature Gardens, Two Gardens into One

The garden, titled “The Formal and Nature Gardens,” seamlessly merges classical elegance with the raw beauty of nature. The design captures the essence of Queen Anne style, with formal layouts around the house, and transitions into the softer, organic curves of the lower garden, showcasing the natural landscape. This duality celebrates both human craftsmanship and the glory of nature.

The hard landscaping reinforces this balance. The front garden features formal brick paving and cubical shapes formed by hedging plants like Taxus baccata and Buxus sempervirens, creating a structured entrance. The terrace and courtyard use Van Der Moortel bronze-yellow clay pavers, complemented by classical Cotswold stone steps, emphasizing timeless sophistication. A walled garden encloses six raised beds for vegetables and flowers, providing functionality alongside charm. The design also repurposes the footprint of an old tennis court into a greenhouse and lush areas for growing fruit and vegetables, ensuring sustainability.

 

As visitors move deeper into the garden, the focus shifts to celebrating nature. The formal lawn leads to the Nature Garden, which is designed in three planting tiers: meadow, shrubs, and trees. Vibrant native species such as Viburnum, Hazel, and Cornus create seasonal interest while supporting local wildlife. A pond adds tranquility, with aquatic plants enhancing its natural aesthetic and providing habitat for fauna. The observation deck, framed by Yellow Balau timber, offers elevated views of the garden’s harmonious blend of formal and natural elements.

 

The planting scheme is crafted to delight the senses. Fragrant shrubs and structured hedging provide year-round interest in the formal areas, while the Nature Garden and meadow bursts with color and pollinator-friendly flowers like crocuses, tulips, irises and a naturalistic, self-seeding annuals. The result is a garden that evolves beautifully with the seasons, offering spaces for quiet reflection and dynamic visual appeal.

 

This design is a testament to thoughtful landscape architecture, harmonizing structured elegance with ecological diversity, and creating a versatile space for relaxation, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.

 

Redesigning Polesden Lacey

For his final project at the Inchbald, Raphael undertook a highly personal and ambitious endeavor: the redesign of Polesden Lacey, a garden deeply connected to his life. Living nearby, he had always admired its grandeur and historical significance, and this project allowed him to reimagine its landscape while honoring its legacy. The goal was to create gardens that resonate with the house’s elegance and period, enhance its visitor appeal, and provide a variety of moods and experiences for all who enter.

 

 

Having access to no formal plan of the existing garden, Raphael had to show resourcefulness and take screenshots from Google Earth to be able to draw the original layout which then formed the basis for the new design.

The design draws inspiration from the estate’s South-facing and East-facing views, framing them with thoughtful landscaping to maximize their beauty. At the heart of the South-facing garden is a large reflective pool, bordered by York stone paving and rows of topiarized Taxus Baccata. This area is designed to draw the eye toward the spectacular views, encouraging quiet contemplation and reflection.

 

The Long Borders Garden serves as an exquisite focal point, planted with a mix of evergreen plants, shrubs, and perennials that provide year-round interest. A Roman-style temple folly punctuates the western end, adding a classical touch that echoes the estate’s grandeur. The design further introduces a Long Borders Café, ensuring modern functionality by accommodating refreshments and facilities for visitors.

 

Beyond formal elements, Raphael incorporated personal touches and designed spaces that encourage exploration. The West-facing garden extends the reflective pool concept, framed by lavender and box hedges, while the Sunken Garden adds an element of surprise with sheltered planting. To honor the estate’s historical significance, the memorial area is adorned with bulbs and grasses, offering a tranquil spot for reflection from winter through autumn.

 

The planting schemes are deeply considered, blending structured topiary with bursts of seasonal color. The Contemplative Room and the Rockery, featuring drought-tolerant plants and alpines, add diversity and charm to the overall layout, creating moments of discovery within the formal framework.

 

This project was not just a creative challenge for Raphael but a meaningful tribute to a place that holds special significance for him. He has spent many long summer afternoons walking the huge estate or just sitting down and enjoying the beautiful views of the English countryside. It was the culmination of his learning at the Inchbald, combining classical principles with personal storytelling to breathe new life into one of Surrey’s most cherished gardens.

 

Above is a perspective view of the South-facing garden.

 

 Above is a perspective of the propose design for the East-facing garden.

 

Technical Drawings

Technical Drawings can be very attractive when executed with passion. Many years later after Raphael drew these technical drawings, he came across Walter Isaacson's biography of Leonardo da Vinci, he instantly felt a connection to the beautifully executed drawings of anatomy and engineering. He had finally found someone else who seemed to also see technical drawings as something artistic. Da Vinci, a Great Master of Painting, has since become one of his greatest source of inspiration. Below are technical drawings for the Polesden Lacey redesign. Here are the proposed drawings for the steps, rill down the steps, the circular pool, stepping pad...