Chiltern Garden Design

We are absolutely delighted with both our front and back gardens – designed by Sam Proctor from Chiltern Garden Design. At the back, she has turned a very boring piece of grass into a multi-layered oasis which looks as good from the front door, the hallway, the kitchen the dining room and the lounge as it does from the garden office and when we are sitting in it. When people come round, the overwhelming comment is, “Wow!” Others comment on the clever way the design makes quite a small space look bigger. Sam was able to take all our ideas and develop a clear plan. It was really useful to have the overall master plan, detailed planting plan, irrigation plan and lighting plan. The planting plan in particular was amazing with full name and photos of the plants and key information like deciduous or evergreen, scented or not. I have really enjoyed watching the different plants in the garden have their time in the spotlight. There has always been something new to see. Another highlight has been the care Sam has taken when choosing the architectural trees. She has really thought about the colour, shape and the space. Sam has also been flexible to change the masterplan several times and to split the project into two for affordability. Her recommendation for landscape contractor (Paul from Thames Valley Landscapes) was spot on too. Whilst neither Sam nor Paul are cheap, they have been so lovely and easy to work with and we get value from our garden every day. It won’t have done our house price any harm either. We 100% recommend Sam for any garden design project.

Charlotte Babes, Marlow

We approached Sam at Chiltern Garden Design to help us completely rethink the garden we had inherited when we bought our property in 2020. The space was a blank canvas and needed real creativity and careful thought to turn it into an interesting and attractive space to entertain, play outdoors and enjoy for our family. Right from first contact Sam was an absolute joy to work with. She was attentive and thorough in understanding our vision for the garden and the creativity she applied to the design was fabulous. She incorporated our ideas but built on them and took them in directions we never would have considered. Incredible attention to detail and a deep understanding of everything to do with plants and gardens, lighting and materials, all came together to produce a wonderful design. Sam then guided us step by step through interviewing and selecting a landscaping firm to construct the garden and was hugely hands on throughout the build process, helping us chose materials, solve problems and navigate what is a complex and lengthy process. She is always available for questions and concerns, and we really felt like she was there to help at every step of the journey, not just the design phase. Her love of plants and incredible knowledge continue to prove invaluable now that the garden is installed and we are very happy in the knowledge that she will continue to guide us as the garden matures. We have hugely enjoyed working with Sam and are looking forward to continuing to do so. The garden is fabulous, far better than we could have hoped. We are very lucky to have found Sam and would not hesitate to recommend Chiltern Garden Design to anyone looking for the very best they can achieve for their garden.

N. Riddle, Little Chalfont

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of working with Sam to imagine, design, build and plant our beautiful new garden. Sam is a talented designer, who took time to really understand our needs and ideas, and to come up with a design that has exceeded our expectations. Sam is always helpful, professional and approachable. She stayed engaged and proactive through the whole process, including working well with our landscapers to ensure the build was delivered to plan. Ours is a relatively small garden but Sam treated the project with the same attention and professionalism that she would for a large commission. I cannot recommend Chiltern Garden Design highly enough.

J Allen, Hazlemere

‘From beginning to end Sam listened to what I was looking for, completely revamping my very small garden. She supplied ideas, mood boards, sketches, comprehensively detailed planting schemes and generally supported by email and video calls as well as phone calls. I decided to set out and plant myself but she came the following spring to have a look and give me further advice. She even researched a company that could fit an electric awning in a tricky place! It is very nice to work with an individual who ‘knows her stuff’ and works for herself. I wish her every success and would thoroughly recommend her.’

R. Mitchell, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire

“Sam has done an amazing job for us, from initial consultation, through to garden design and finally the finished garden is just fabulous”

L. Mackenzie, Chesham Bois

Sam designed a beautiful garden for our family. The flowers bring new colours with the seasons and it is a real delight to see the changes over time and enjoy our family garden. Sam is professional on every level and has a strong design eye, translating client requirements into a garden design vision which does not disappoint. Five stars.

Pamela Brown, Winchmore Hill, Buckinghamshire

Sam supported us in a Garden Room and Garden redesign project in 2022. We envisaged knocking down a derelict garage and making use of the space to position a Garden room and open entertaining area at the bottom of our garden to make the most of the view. Sam was instrumental in taking a vague idea and shaping it into a comprehensive design which not only was very imaginative but also extremely detailed and practical. Sam saw opportunities to make the most of the Garden and consistently provided sound advice on the types of product to integrate into the project to ensure longevity and quality of the build. Sam’s approach was to consult and be open to both a phased approach to the work but also to make amendments to the plan as we input our own views and ideas. Aside from quality of vision and pragmatism, Sam was always available to answer questions and make site visits. She spent time explaining the work involved, the options available and the pros and cons of various decisions along the way. Without a doubt, we would not have been able to envisage the final product without Sam’s experienced eye and creative mind to call upon. Always reliable, Sam would always deliver on a commitment and remain personally involved in the project from start to finish. We look forward to continuing to work with Sam as we continue to invest in the garden and develop it into the truly special place we can enjoy and share with friends and family for many years to come. We have no hesitation in recommending Sam and her work. She will bring creativity and reliable pragmatism to any project.

Antonia Hanlon, Seer Green, Buckinghamshire

We met Sam with a view to creating a garden that worked for us and blended in with our home and surroundings. Both our front and back gardens were bland, non descript and had no character. Sam very quickly offered us designs with everything and even more than we asked for. The exact detail involved in the numerous drawings and the entire process thereafter ensured that the contractor (who Sam sourced for us) has given us the highest standard of workmanship. The plants and trees are stunning and so quickly we have a garden in bloom, and every week, another pop of colour appears! We have no hesitation in recommending her. Trust her, she is a true professional.

Karen and Derek McManus, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire

Sam recommended design and planting to revamp my garden and add much needed spring colour, with many bulbs as well as border coverage - can't wait to see the full results in the spring next year! Sam and team were super knowledgeable and professional and we will continue to work together to keep our garden looking top-notch!

Julie , Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire