A long, thin space has been transformed with immersive planting, sculptures, stone and water features to provide an urban oasis in a busy part of London. The lawn and existing paving slabs were removed and replaced with a self-binding gravel pathway set in lengths of corten still, winding down the garden on an inviting journey to the seating area and fire pit towards the back. Sinuous berms on either side of the path were created from the prunings produced during the garden works and large logs left over from Streatham Common tree surgery. An owl sculpture which the client already owned has been cited in pride of place, looking inquisitively back to the house and the expansive kitchen windows. Solitary bee nesting posts are dotted down the garden to provide a further sculptural element and complement the post the owl sculpture sits atop. The stone paving outside the kitchen was replaced with a more contemporary stone pitcher to meld with the new kitchen, and the pitchers merged into the self-binding gravel which winds down the garden. COAT paint was selected in the colour 2am for the walls of the house and fences down the garden.