A Surrey-based Creative Director turned garden designer with a passion for thoughtful design and beautiful contemporary outdoor spaces.
David Savage Gardens
After nearly twenty-five years in the design industry, much of which spent as Digital Creative Director at the UK’s largest creative agency, I’ve turned my design expertise outdoors. I now bring that same strategic thinking, visual storytelling and client-service discipline to residential garden design in Surrey and South-West London. I work with homeowners whose outdoor space is as important as their interiors — transforming gardens into distinctive, liveable landscapes.
This isn’t a sudden leap into something different, but a natural evolution almost a decade in the making. I’m firstly a passionate plantsman and hands-on maker, and have always been drawn to the beauty of thoughtful design, whether it’s a brand, a building, or a garden. This move into landscape garden design brings together everything I love most and feel passionate about — creativity, craftsmanship, and a connection to the natural world.
Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to lead the creative direction for brands such as New Balance, Nike, Apple, Hublot, and Aston Martin, (and the mighty Megabus too!) guiding teams and clients through inspiring journeys that blend new ideas with purpose. That same approach now shapes my work in garden design, creating outdoor spaces that not only look beautiful, but can bring real joy and completely change the way you live.
FAQ's
What type of work do you do?
As a small solo design studio, I am focussed on the creation of bespoke, contemporary, residential garden design plans that feel closely connected to how you live, and integrate seamlessly with your home.
Where are you based?
I am based in Worcester Park (KT4), perfectly placed for garden designs throughout Surrey and South-West London area. Within 60 minutes of here is ideal so I can be in-person and incredibly hands-on throughout - serving areas such as Claygate, Esher, Kingston, Richmond, Wimbledon and Cobham.
What exactly is a garden design plan?
A design plan depends greatly on the size and complexity of a space, but broken down its simply a blueprint design that can be built by a contractor. This typically includes concepts and inspiration, developed design, materials, technical drawings, 3D renders, planting plans, lighting, irrigation, and all the documentation required for a contractor to execute the design perfectly. It serves as a comprehensive tender document to obtain very accurate build costs. I have created an Example Small Garden Plan that shows some of the detail of a considered design plan to give you an idea of what goes into it.
How much does a Garden Design cost?
This is a great and very common question, and I want to be completely open and transparent about it. Garden design costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, but as a guide, my design fees typically represent around 8% of the total project value.
Because my focus is on complete, design-led transformations, I want to ensure you get the best possible value for what you’re hoping to achieve. With that in mind, if your overall garden budget (including the build) is under £20,000, my services may not be the best fit at this stage.
Do you build the garden too?
Unfortunately not, my physique doesn't lend itself to heavy lifting, but my decades in the design world mean I have a good eye for quality and well-crafted design, along with a creative mind! My job is to create a detailed plan that can be perfectly executed by either your landscaper of choice, or someone from my trusted list of highly skilled BALI Registered landscapers and craftspeople.
Once the design is done, are you finished?
Absolutely not, a crucial part of any design process is site visits during build, liason with constructors, fabricators and specialists, to make sure the construction is accurately followed and that any unforseen changes can be done with expert knowledge and collaboration. This process and involvement can be agreed per project, but I would highly recommend having designer involvement throughout. Similar to an architect, that doesn't mean daily visits, but handing over a plan and off to the next project is not how I work, I want to be there at the right times to make sure everything is as expected, and be the voice for design-first approach at every step.
What about the planting?
Planting is one of my favourite things and a real reason why I took the jump to be part of this amazing industry, I love to be outside, and putting plants in the ground is incredibly uplifting. This is why at the time of planting, I like to offer my skills and services in order to not only design contemporary layouts and and planting schemes, but to physically plant into your garden. It's the moment everything is brought together and the end of the process (prior to any ongoing maintenance, as we know gardens like to grow).
I’m not green-fingered, do you offer maintenance?
As part of our Full Garden Design and Planting Plan services, a detailed description of each and every plant, tree and shrub will be given to you with all you need to know to help it thrive. Sometimes clients like the independence of this, or are already competent gardeners and it's enough to empower them to nurture their scheme through the seasons. Other times they might want their garden taken care of from time-to-time as it establishes. I offer a range of different maintenance services where I can either visit at specific times of year to prune, move, divide, over-winter, and care for your plants when needed, or we can create a completely bespoke service that works for you. Read more about my Aftercare & Maintenance services here.
What is your favourite tree? (Sorry, nobody asked)
We have a giant 100+ft tall evergreen Eucalyptus Pauciflora, creating dappled shade in the hottest months, sat at the bottom of my south facing garden in Surrey. It was no more than 30ft tall when we first moved in around 2015 and it just keeps on getting bigger.
"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature."
— Alfred Austin
Featured Project — Mayfair Avenue
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Office Address: 53 Mayfair Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7SJ
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