The young couple who took on this doer-upper project really saw the potential in the derelict barn and breath-taking views from this North Yorkshire plot. They set about transforming the barn into a stunning country retreat, staying true to the intrinsic patina and character of the place. At the same time, we went about creating a garden for the family to play, entertain and relax in. When working in a setting like this one has to be subservient to the wider landscape, once shouldn’t seek to compete.  At the same time the garden must sit respectfully next to buildings like this, taking cues from rough stone walls, old layers of paint and rustic time-served details. The garden is split across a number of levels, the principal of which is an open lawn, a foil to a magnificent old oak tree which frames views to the valley and low-lying lake. On the upper level, breakout spaces frame the house, responding to huge simple window openings and the views they offer from inside. We chose species for their resilience against the desiccating wind, with multi-stem cherry-leaved hawthorn repeated across the upper level to subtly define space and frame views. In rural situations like this we prefer a crushed stone chipping to a pea gravel, to give the effect of fragmented local stone. This is a garden that improves as it relaxes and gets to know its environs.