The Project
Nestled deep in the woodlands of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Livia’s Victorian home is a legacy in the making. With oak-framed windows, stained glass details, and a wraparound sense of heritage, the house was already full of character. But outdoors, the story was unfinished.
Project Location
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Designer
Marlene Lento
Take a look around
See the breathtaking beauty of this woodland garden transformation at Livia's forever family home in Royal Tunbridge Wells, in our latest video below.
“There just wasn’t much space to live in the garden,
and the summers here are too beautiful to miss.”
Livia - Homeowner
What followed was a transformation of both function and feeling - a place that now seamlessly extends the home into the peaceful ancient woodland beyond. At its heart lies a bespoke deck, designed by Marlene Lento and created using Millboard’s exceptionally slip-resistant and highly durable Enhanced Grain decking in Antique Oak.
Carving Space from the Trees
Marlene Lento, a seasoned garden designer based in Kent and Sussex, was immediately struck by the property’s enchanting setting. “It’s a fairy-tale home,” she says. “The trees, the architecture, the mood - we wanted the garden to feel like it had always belonged here.”
The brief was clear: create an outdoor living space that works year-round for a young family, blending beautifully with the home’s heritage while unlocking new ways to live, cook, entertain, and play outside.
But this wasn’t a simple patio-and-lawn situation.
“There’s quite a steep drop from the house down to the lower garden,” Marlene explains. “We needed to terrace the space, then extend outward with a cantilevered deck - something that would hover over the trees and make you feel like you’re in them.”
Moulded from timbers that are selected from oak boards for a textured look and feel, the Enhanced Grain collection's contemporary design accurately recreates the subtle nuances of natural wood. Each of the shades are slip-resistant and showcase their organic patinas beautifully.
Design-Led from Every Angle
Working closely with Livia and her family, Marlene produced a full 3D mock-up of the future space - a process Livia found transformative. “Seeing it virtually helped us picture how we’d move through the space,” she says. “We made small changes that made a big difference. It meant that by the time installation started, everything was exactly how we wanted it.”
The final design features a split-level layout: a warm stone patio close to the house, which steps down onto an elevated Millboard deck in Enhanced Grain, Antique Oak - carefully selected to echo the dark wooden casement windows and oak details throughout the home.
Even the grain of the decking was a deliberate nod. “We chose a Millboard decking style that felt like oak,” Livia shares. “It honours the character of the house, especially the stained glass and timber framing.”
It’s in the Details
The build was tendered to skilled tradespeople, with an emphasis on Millboard decking experience. “All the shortlisted installers either had Millboard Approved Installer status or a strong portfolio of similar work,” says Marlene. “The attention to detail was crucial - especially for the curved elements.”
And those details shine. The centrepiece of the deck is a fire pit surrounded by a bespoke, curved bench clad in Millboard decking and flexible edging. “That curve - it’s more than just beautiful,” says Livia. “It’s clever. It turns the deck into a gathering point.”
Bespoke railings and reclaimed Victorian posts add a further sense of place and permanence - a subtle blend of old and new.
Built for Real Life
But the beauty here isn’t just in the finish - it’s in how the space is used.
“This has completely changed how we live,” Livia beams. “We cook out here. We eat out here. We play. We entertain. Even in winter, we light the fire and toast marshmallows.”
For a young family of five, practicalities matter too. “We’re surrounded by forest, so there’s a lot of leaf and pine needle fall, but honestly, a quick sweep is all it needs. We only had it power-washed recently because we were doing the patio. It didn’t need it.”
And when it comes to safety? “It’s exceptionally slip-resistant,” Livia says. “I’ve got three children, and I’ve had knee surgery myself. So, knowing the decking is highly slip resistant - even in the rain, even when the deck’s damp - that matters.”
A Space That Truly Belongs
Throughout the project, the guiding principle was harmony; between house and garden, structure and story, beauty and use.
“The deck doesn’t just fit in,” Marlene says. “It feels like it was always meant to be here. It’s the bridge between the formality of the house and the wildness of the lower garden. A perfect transition.”
And for Livia’s family, it’s now the heart of their home.
“Our favourite days start on the lawn - playing games, collecting pinecones under the trees which we use to build fairy houses, inspired by the woods. We barbecue lunch on the deck, then in the late afternoon and evening, gather around the firepit for hot chocolate and s’mores.”
The results speak for themselves. “People stop and ask about it,” Livia smiles. “Friends, neighbours, even strangers. They want to know who did it, what we used - and we’re always happy to tell them.”
Design without Limits
Marlene continues to specify Millboard for projects across the style spectrum - from ultra-modern to storybook traditional. “It’s such a versatile material,” she says. “From curved seating to cladding, it performs beautifully and looks authentic, while being so much easier to care for than timber.”
Her advice to fellow designers? “Get to know the profiles, the trims, the accessories; it’s like a building kit. Once you understand it, there’s no limit to what you can create.”
Inspired by this Woodland Garden?
Whether you’re dreaming up your own forever home or designing for clients who value quality, character, and longevity, Millboard offers premium decking and cladding that’s made for life outdoors.
Beautifully made, exceptionally slip-resistant, and designed to endure British weather for the long-term with minimum maintenance needed - it’s more than a deck. It’s a place to live life outside.
Order a free sample or explore the Millboard decking collections to find the finish that’s right for your own story.
Marlene Lento Landscape and Garden Design Studio | Tunbridge Wells, Kent
