Building gothic style arches into reclaimed stone wall

I haven't landscaped a garden since 2004 and I have to say I've kinda missed working with plants and being creative with materials.

The only consolation for me is I've been able to get stuck into the renovation of our old French farm.

It's only now, after seven years, that I can start to think about the finishing touches that will help create a relaxing sensory space for us.

Even though there is scope to continue renovating, a lack of money means our 144 square metre barn (one day to become the main living area with four new bedrooms and en-suite showers) and the old cow barns, will have to remain as they are.

I'm currently working on a +100 square metre terrace so we can sit out in the evenings: it's been three years under construction but I'm finally starting to get into the decorative bits - previous to that I'd been working on a large retaining wall and the septic tank etc.

I've just completed a retaining/decorative wall and raised border.

The wall partitions what will eventually be a one bedroom cottage but in the meantime the wall becomes a partition between developed and un-developed areas.

I've recycled as much of the material from the site as I could. Stone which has been buried, fallen or demolished from the dilapidated cow barns has been used for facing the walls with all of the old concrete and unusable stone filling the void in the centre. Old clay roofing tiles have been used to create the arches.

The finesse of tile edge helps to keep the arches looking delicate and not too bulky.

The only material I've bought in is sand and cement. I've created a down-lighter at the top of each arch so I've also installed new wiring and a switch.

I intend, though not finalised, to cast some imitation coping stones for the top of the wall. For the top of the lower wall I will use tile fragments to create a decorative top.

I've been detailing progress of the walls here if you'd like to see more photos?

Comments

[Rob (OurFrenchGarden)]

Good stuff Phil, and the down lighters over each arch is a great touch.

cheers

[Simon]

Glad to see you have been working hard. Did the lights go to plan?

[Philip Voice]

Thanks Rob. Looking forward to having the wall lit up:)