Nothing enhances the value of your home more than a garden – in monetary, social, spiritual and aesthetic terms.

A garden gives you space to breathe, space to be, space to be social, and space to play. It’s where your children will learn to walk, where they’ll play, and where they’ll create fantasy worlds that will sustain their creativity. It’s the green extension of your home, and the space that defines your relationships. The quality of that green space, and the quality of the relationships that form and reform on your lawn or patio, are directly proportional to the quality of the original design.

“Design matters,” says Andy Scrivener, the MD of Distinctive Designs Group (DDG).

According to the dictionary, “Design” is a plan or drawing produced to show the look, function and workings of something – art in action – and “Distinctive” is the quality or characteristic of being unique. Put these two words and their meanings together, and you have the perfect definition for what DDG is. A strong team of creators, with over 20 years experience in the design and creative industries, they deliver a wealth of originality and innovation in their fresh and unique approach to residential and commercial design projects.

Understanding the relationship between the interior and exterior of a home, and tailoring both spaces to suit your lifestyle, both practically and aesthetically, is the essence of good functional design. With this in mind DDG has three turn-key divisions: Distinctive Interior, Silk Plants and Trees and Distinctive Gardens.

“We are a dynamic, creative team that strives to offer our customers the very best products and services in these niche premium market sectors.” Andy says.

“One of our prime powers lies in our design,” he continues. “Design is all about the creation of beautiful and effective imagery in illustrating the ideals of our products and services. We believe in structuring a distinctive vision from start to finish. From pots and plants, to hard and soft landscaping elements, to troughs and enchanted water features and sculptures, to incredible art pieces and furnishings, we offer it all. The Distinctive Design Group embraces effortless adaptation in meeting our client’s desired environment, and delivering an end product that will best suit our client’s needs.”

DDG has won more awards over the past 16 years than any other company in its field, which is testament to their commitment to quality of product. The group has been a member of the Interior PlantScapers Association (IPSA) for the past 15 years. The IPSA endorsement is a guarantee of professionalism that assures clients that the company they’re dealing with has committed to a code of conduct.

When Andy talks about gardens he can get a bit carried away. “We believe your garden should hold an air of magical mystery to its form,” he says. “An exquisite reminder and pure reflection of your own personality, dreams and creative side. In putting the Wow! factor into everything we set our hands to, we take in the design elements of your buildings, and transform your surroundings into a powerful, yet harmonious and balanced environment...an ambience with an impact!”

While outdoor landscaping is a focus, DDG offers a range of complementary services that, together, can help transform domestic or business interiors into restful, plant-enhanced havens. For example, there is a resurgence of popularity for indoor atriums, which can add value to your home. However, if they are not correctly installed and properly maintained, they can cause rising damp. A simple and effective solution is to superior silk plants and trees – either exclusively or in conjunction with some selected live plants. Vertical gardens, a range of containers and other clever innovations enhance the look and feel of an indoor space. We here at Estate Living have used this design element to improve the overall appearance of our workspace, creating a positive ambience that has contributed to increasing our productivity.

Homeowners on estates such as Eagle Canyon and Silver Lakes can attest to the professionalism, creativity and superb service of Andy and his team of experts. It is for this reason that homeowners welcome them into their homes for a distinctive consultation – and revel in the beauty and style of the resulting design.