Some gardens don’t just need “a bit of decking” – they need a complete rethink.
This recently renovated home in Chalfont St Peter was left with a drop of over 1 metre from the new doors down to the garden. The potential was huge, but so was the challenge.
The solution was a two-level Millboard terrace in Limed Oak, designed by Karl Harrison and built by his professional in-house team. It is practical, beautiful and tailored to the architecture of the house.
Design first – solving the level change with elegance
From the start, the function of the design was clear:
- Make the new doors feel safe and inviting, not exposed.
- Turn a 1m drop into an opportunity for terracing and views.
- Connect house and garden with a calm, modern structure.
Planning consent for the decking was included in the main building application, so the scheme could be integrated with the renovation from early on. Karl used the height difference as a feature, shaping a two-part outdoor space:
- An upper balcony terrace for dining and enjoying the view.
- A lower main terrace for cooking, relaxing and daily life.
Every line and level is considered, so the solution feels effortless rather than “bolted on”.
An upper balcony for dining and views
Step out from the house and you arrive on the upper balcony deck finished in Millboard Limed Oak, Enhanced Grain. This is the “front row seat” to the garden:
- A generous dining area for everyday meals and longer evenings with friends.
- Clear sightlines over the lower terrace and planting.
- A feeling of height and openness, without losing privacy.
The decking layout reinforces the architecture of the building, running with the lines of the façade so the balcony feels like a natural extension of the home.
Simple steps, inviting terrace
From the balcony, a simple run of steps leads you down to the main lower terrace. Here, the focus shifts to relaxed living:
- A BBQ zone for outdoor cooking.
- A comfortable seating area to unwind, read or enjoy a drink.
The steps act as a calm transition rather than a barrier. The proportions are generous, the treads are consistent and the whole route feels intuitive and safe.
Pocket planting, soft light and a black backdrop
Hard surfaces alone rarely make a welcoming garden. So Karl included pocket planting zones that slip between the structures and soften the deck edges.
These beds are:
- Subtly downlit so the planting glows at night without glare.
- Set against a black backdrop that makes the greens and textures really pop.
The result is a strong, modern garden frame where the plants remain the stars.
Bespoke balustrades – and those incredible fins
Safety is critical at height, but in this garden it also became an opportunity for detail.
- The upper terrace and steps are enclosed with a custom-made balustrade, designed to sit lightly against the architecture while still feeling solid and secure.
- On the lower terrace, the star of the show is a bespoke railing made from vertical steel fins.
These fins deserve their own moment.
- They stand 1.8 metres high, crafted from 10mm steel.
- They are set as rhythmic vertical blades, catching light and shadow through the day.
- The steel is left to weather naturally, developing a rich patina that sits beautifully with both the Limed Oak decking and the planting.
You rarely see this kind of treatment in private gardens. It feels more like a piece of architectural sculpture – a subtle screen, a backdrop and a design statement all in one. The fins give the lower terrace its own identity while still tying back to the clean lines of the house.
Why Millboard Limed Oak, Enhanced Grain?
For this project, Millboard Limed Oak in Enhanced Grain was the perfect match:
- The tone is soft and contemporary, echoing the interior finishes and helping light bounce around the space.
- The Enhanced Grain texture brings the look of real timber, without the ongoing maintenance.
- Millboard’s durability and slip resistance are ideal for elevated terraces and regularly used steps.
As with all Millboard projects, the deck is:
- Resistant to rot and warping
- Low maintenance, with no regular staining or painting
- Designed to handle British weather for the long term
The colour choice and the steelwork are key to the atmosphere here – warm timber tones underfoot, cool steel fins and dark backdrops for the planting. The combination is understated but powerful.
Professional installation by a dedicated team
A design like this only works if it is built with care. The Karl Harrison Landscapes team, who work with Karl day in and day out, handled the full construction:
- Precise substructure to manage the 1m level change safely and discreetly.
- Accurate setting-out for the balcony, steps and fins, so every line reads true.
- Clean detailing at edges, junctions and interfaces with the building.
Because the design and build teams are one integrated group, details are carried through from drawing to finished deck. Nothing is guessed on site; it’s planned and delivered with a clear intention.
Thinking about your own Millboard deck?
If you are renovating your home and facing difficult levels, tired patios or a garden that simply doesn’t match your interior, Millboard decking by Karl Harrison can transform how you live outside.
With Karl, you get:
- A design-led approach that starts with how you want to use the space.
- Honest conversations about style, function and investment.
- A professional in-house team to build your deck and terraces to a high standard.
Your next favourite room might not be inside the house at all.
