Michael Lote, MJL Garden Design in conversation with Anna Roochove - Arbour Landscape Solutions

MJL Garden Design is the practice of Michael Lote, a landscape architect and garden designer with a BA Hons in Landscape Architecture and memberships of both the APL and BALI. With show garden credits including RHS Malvern, Michael brings a designer's eye for structure and cohesion to premium residential projects, working closely with specialist contractors, suppliers and growers to deliver gardens that feel personal, considered and built to last. Sustainability sits at the core of his approach, from the reuse of high-quality materials to the sourcing of specimen planting with an existing history, and his work is defined by a commitment to creating outdoor spaces that genuinely reflect the lives of the people who inhabit them.

Creating a Sustainable, Design-Led Garden Inspired by Mondrian

Tell us a little about this project. What was the client's brief when you first became involved?

The clients wanted a complete redesign of their rear garden while the house itself was undergoing a major renovation. Alongside the garden, I was also commissioned to transform the former garage into a garden room, so the brief quickly became about creating a seamless relationship between all of the spaces.

Although the garden isn't particularly large, the clients wanted it to support a variety of uses, from entertaining and outdoor dining to providing a calm space to relax and enjoy throughout the year.

One of the most exciting aspects of the project was incorporating specimen trees and plants sourced from previous RHS Show Gardens, including material from a Gold Medal-winning Chelsea Flower Show garden in 2025. The clients personally selected the trees, which were then cared for by Jamie Butterworth at his nursery, Form Plants, until we were ready to install them.

Sustainability is something that sits at the heart of my approach, so wherever possible we looked at opportunities to reuse high-quality materials and planting.

Looking around the garden today, what are you most proud of?

The thing I'm most proud of is how established the garden feels despite being relatively newly completed.

Clients can sometimes be apprehensive about using large specimen trees because of the investment involved, but in this case they trusted the vision completely. Those trees immediately brought structure, maturity and drama to the garden and have become some of its defining features.

The planting has settled beautifully and the garden already feels as though it has been there for many years. Most importantly, the clients love it, and that's always the ultimate measure of success.

How would you describe the design style of this garden?

The overall framework of the garden was inspired by a Mondrian painting, using strong geometric forms to organise the space and create a series of interconnected areas. Known for his strictly geometric, abstract art, Mondrian's work embodies a sense of balance, which was a fitting inspiration for the garden design that sought to achieve balance of the indoor and outdoor space available.

Within that structure, I sought to bring a naturalistic approach to the planting, with texture, movement and seasonality playing a central role throughout the scheme.

The material palette is deliberately restrained, with muted tones and natural textures used across both the garden and garden room. The hard landscaping helps define the individual spaces while allowing the planting to remain the hero of the design.

The result is a garden that feels calm and contemplative during the day while also functioning beautifully as an entertaining space in the evening.

What were the biggest challenges you faced from concept through to completion?

One of the biggest challenges was delivering the project alongside a full house renovation. Multiple trades were working on site throughout the build, so communication and coordination were critical from start to finish.

The installation of the specimen trees also required significant logistical planning. Forklifts were used to transport the trees from the roadside into the garden, and managing the health and safety aspects of that operation was essential. Careful planning ensured the trees could be installed safely and efficiently while keeping disruption to a minimum.

A huge credit goes to Staffordshire Restoration, with whom we worked throughout the project. We developed an excellent working relationship and collaborated closely to overcome challenges as they arose. The partnership was so successful that we'll be working together again on another project very soon.

Can you walk us through your design process from the initial consultation to the finished garden?

Every project starts with understanding how clients want to live in and use their outdoor space.

For this project, the clients came with a clear vision, a healthy budget and a huge amount of trust in MJL Garden Design to guide the process. From a designer's perspective, that's a dream scenario.

The early conversations focused on understanding how they wanted the space to function, whether that was entertaining friends, enjoying family time outdoors or creating a stronger connection between the garden and the new garden room.

Once those priorities were established, the design evolved around them. From there, it becomes a collaborative process involving layout development, planting design, material selection and detailed coordination with suppliers and contractors to ensure the original vision is carried through to completion. The garden's successful outcome is not possible without the team that worked on the project, including Nadine Charlton who ran both the project management and procurement of all materials and also Andrew Ball of Big Fish Landscapes who assisted with the installation of the mature trees selected for this project. I knew Andrew's experience with this specific kind of project having worked with him on a garden at RHS Hampton Court. The beauty of this industry is the collaborative working relationships that form to reach the excellent standards we expect.

How important is it for you to fully understand the client's lifestyle before putting pencil to paper?

It's absolutely fundamental.

The best gardens are always a reflection of the people who use them. Understanding how clients spend their time outdoors, whether they enjoy entertaining, cooking, gardening or simply relaxing, allows every design decision to be made with purpose.

Without that understanding, it's impossible to create a truly personal space.

What inspired the layout and structure of this space?

The geometric framework was inspired by a Mondrian painting, which provided the starting point for organising the garden into a series of clearly defined yet connected spaces.

Beyond the visual inspiration, it was important that the layout strengthened the relationship between the house, the garden room and the garden itself. Every element was designed to encourage movement through the space while maintaining a strong sense of balance and harmony.

This garden feels incredibly cohesive. How do you ensure every element works together as a complete scheme?

Cohesion starts with establishing a clear design language and remaining disciplined throughout the project.

The Mondrian-inspired geometry provides the framework, while the planting palette, material choices and muted colours create continuity across the entire scheme.

The hard landscaping helps define different areas without interrupting the flow of the garden, and the linear lighting design reinforces those connections after dark, linking the garden room and external spaces together.

When all of those elements work in harmony, the result feels effortless and unified.

Were there any features that evolved significantly between the original design and the final build?

One of the standout features was the focal wall within the garden room, which incorporates reclaimed cork sourced from a previous RHS Show Garden.

As the project developed, that feature became increasingly important and evolved into a strong focal point that brings character, texture and a unique story to the space.

Natural limestone paving and setts play a huge role in this garden. What drew you to these materials?

Natural stone was always my preferred choice for this project.

Although porcelain was considered during the early stages, once the clients saw and handled the different materials, they were naturally drawn towards the authenticity and character of natural stone.

What makes natural stone so special is its individuality. The subtle variations in colour, texture and surface character create a richness that manufactured alternatives simply can't replicate.

The paving and setts also play an important architectural role within the garden, helping define spaces, guide movement and reinforce the structure of the design.

We specified pre-sealed natural stone paving and setts from Arbour Landscape Solutions, which offered practical benefits during installation whilst also making ongoing cleaning and maintenance easier for the homeowner.

Natural stone continues to develop character over time and, for me, remains the benchmark material for premium residential gardens because of its longevity, authenticity and timeless appeal.

We often talk about collaboration in landscaping. How important is the relationship between designer, installer and supplier?

It's absolutely essential.

The best projects happen when everyone is working towards the same goal and communicating openly throughout the process.

This garden was a great example of that. Designers, suppliers, contractors and specialist trades all played an important role in delivering the finished result.

What do you value most in a supplier when you're specifying materials for a project?

Reliability and expertise.

Good suppliers don't just provide products; they provide support, advice and technical knowledge throughout the project. Knowing you can pick up the phone and get the right information when you need it is incredibly valuable.

How does working with a trusted supplier help reduce risk during a build?

Experience and technical knowledge help identify potential issues before they become problems.

Having confidence in both the product and the people supplying it allows the entire project team to move forward with certainty.

Have you found that supplier expertise can sometimes influence or improve design decisions?

Absolutely.

Experienced suppliers often have practical insights that can improve both the specification and the finished result. Those conversations can be invaluable, particularly when working with premium materials.

From your perspective, what makes a supplier a genuine project partner rather than simply a materials provider?

A genuine partner remains invested in the success of the project from beginning to end.

They're proactive, knowledgeable and willing to provide support throughout the process rather than simply delivering products to site.

From an installation perspective, what were the key challenges you found in bringing your vision to life?

The biggest challenge was coordinating the garden build alongside the ongoing renovation works while managing multiple trades operating within a relatively compact site.

The specimen tree installation required particularly careful planning, both from a logistical and health and safety perspective. Ensuring those trees could be moved safely into position while maintaining progress across the rest of the site demanded a high level of coordination.

The strong working relationship that developed with Staffordshire Restoration played a major role in keeping the project moving forward smoothly.

How long did the construction phase take from breaking ground to completion?

The build took approximately four months from start to finish and remained on schedule throughout.

Considering the complexity of coordinating a major house renovation alongside the garden works, that was a significant achievement and a reflection of the teamwork between everyone involved.

Looking back, what aspects of the build are you most proud of?

I'm proud of how successfully all of the different elements came together.

The planting, materials, detailing, garden room and overall layout all feel connected and balanced. Most importantly, we've created a garden that feels mature, welcoming and completely tailored to the way the clients want to live.

What trends are you currently seeing in garden design that excite you?

To be honest, trends don't play a major role in the way I approach design.

My focus has always been on understanding the client's brief and creating a garden that transforms the way they use and enjoy their outdoor space. The best gardens are personal, timeless and rooted in the needs of the people who use them.

That said, there is undoubtedly a growing appreciation for natural materials and a stronger focus on sustainability, both of which align closely with my own approach.

I'm also encouraged by the increasing interest in reusing materials and incorporating plants with an existing history. Those decisions often create gardens with more character and a more meaningful connection to place.

Are clients becoming more interested in natural materials and long-term quality?

Absolutely.

Clients are becoming increasingly informed and are looking beyond immediate visual impact. Once they can compare materials side by side, many naturally gravitate towards products that offer authenticity, longevity and character.

There's a growing appreciation for quality materials that will continue to improve with age rather than simply look good on the day they're installed.

What advice would you give to younger designers and landscapers entering the landscaping industry today?

Get as much practical experience as possible.

Understanding how gardens are built is one of the most valuable things a designer can learn. Spending time on site, working alongside landscapers and understanding construction processes provides knowledge that simply can't be gained from drawings alone.

The strongest designers are often those who understand both design and construction.

Finally, standing here in this completed garden, what do you hope the owners will still be enjoying years from now?

I hope they're still enjoying the way the garden makes them feel.

Gardens should evolve and improve over time, and I look forward to seeing the planting continue to mature and develop. If the space continues to bring enjoyment, relaxation and memorable moments for many years to come, then we've achieved exactly what we set out to do.

Thank you Mike for your time.

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