A Mediterranean Retreat in the heart of cheshire

This town centre courtyard had loads of potential thanks to being a south-facing sun trap, so the aim was to create a Mediterranean-style space that felt warm, inviting and practical, that reminded our clients of holidays in Europe.

We used the stunning Luxury Old Provence 350mm paving from Westminster Stone, which has a lovely terracotta look. One of the best things about these slabs is how they change with the weather. They darken when wet and then dry back to that sun-baked Mediterranean finish.

To make the most of the space, we revamped a small step to create different levels, giving the customer more room for pots, planting and a dining set without the courtyard feeling cramped. We also gave the existing sleeper border a new lease of life with a good sand down and fresh varnish.

The transformation wasn't just cosmetic either. The old patio was made up of tired concrete flags, had become home to millions of ants, and regularly suffered from standing water. The new patio has been laid with the correct falls into a linear drain, so those pooling issues are now a thing of the past.