Collaboration with Changing Minds Charity with pick up a penny

A charity very close to our hearts held their annual fundraising ball on the 21st February 2026

They are a local charity, focused on providing mental health therapy for children, young people and their families.

Geko Design donated a full design package for their auction and we're very much looking forward to working with the lucky bidder on their outdoor space!

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9th March 2026

Deep Dive from our Luxe Magazine column (March/April edition)

The Luxury of Foresight: Why Summer Sanctuaries are Won in the Spring

In the world of high-end landscape architecture, there is a distinct difference between a garden that looks beautiful and a garden that performs effortlessly.

As the North East landscape begins its subtle awakening—from the coastal estates of Northumberland to the refined postcodes of Gosforth—the temptation is to wait for the warmth. 

However...The "now" is just as vital as the "how."

If you envision a summer spent hosting under a bespoke pergola or enjoying the sunset from a perfectly leveled terrace, the clock is already ticking. 

Here is why the early spring planning phase is the most critical window for the discerning homeowner.

1. The Strategy of Space: Beyond the Bloom

While a garden is often associated with the ephemeral beauty of flora, elite design is rooted in temporal foresight.

In the North East, our "window of perfection" is precise. By the time the cherry blossoms are in full display at The Alnwick Garden, the region’s most skilled installation teams and premium materials—from Italian porcelain to sustainably sourced hardwoods—are often already spoken for.

Planning now isn't just about beating the rush; it’s about securing the caliber of craft your estate deserves.

2. The Designer as a Risk Mitigator

Many view a garden as a collection of aesthetic choices. A landscape designer views it as a spatial narrative backed by rigorous engineering. Engaging a professional in these early months allows for a deep dive into the technical "bones" of the project:

• Topography & Drainage: Managing the North East’s unique rainfall and rural runoff.

• Microclimates: Understanding how coastal exposures or valley winds will affect your outdoor comfort.

• Value Engineering: Ensuring that every pound invested in subterranean infrastructure translates to decades of structural integrity.

"A designer translates your lifestyle into a technical blueprint that ensures the ‘bones’ of the garden are as enduring as the home itself."

3. Designing for the 'Living' Moments

The most successful gardens are intuitive extensions of the home’s interior architecture. To achieve this, we move past the plants and focus on the human element. When planning your transition into spring, consider these three pivotal zones:

The Design Consideration:

The Morning Ritual

Identifying the sheltered, east-facing nook that captures the first crisp spring light for coffee.

The Social Hub

Positioning outdoor kitchens and fire-pits so the host remains the heartbeat of the party, not an isolated chef.

The Atmospheric Shift

Integrating intelligent lighting and heating that allows a space to transition from a sun-drenched lunch to a sophisticated evening retreat.

Geko Design :: The Value of 25 Years of Expertise

With a quarter-century of experience transforming the region’s most prestigious postcodes, Geko Design understands that a garden is a legacy. It is a sanctuary that should be ready to perform the moment the summer solstice arrives.

Waiting for the first warm weekend to start the conversation often means missing the season entirely. By starting the design process today, you aren't just planting a garden; you are engineering a lifestyle.

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Luxe Magazine is published six times per year and hosts the very best content of everything that is exciting within the North East.

With 25 years of experience, and the local expert in landscape desing, Gareth Mitchell is curating a column dedicated to landscape design within the pages of Luxe.

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6th March 2026

We are truly thrilled to announce our collaboration with Luxe Magazine in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Over the next six issues we will be writing a column about everything landscape design!  

The aim of our column is to give a peek behind the curtain of the landscape design studio, with tips on what to be considering, timing of works, a nod to the very best practice, our column will help readers of Luxe Magazine give serious thought to how their outdoor space can be the very best it can be.

We've chosen Luxe Magazine to work with as Luxe highlights the outstanding events, companies and services within the North East.  Interesting interviews with local celebrities combined with cutting edge design, fashion and home advice and features.

Luxe have a brilliant team and we can wait to start working alongside this fabulous company!

Our column will outline the concepts we're discussing, with a deeper diver hosted right here on our blog, plus our social media channels too where we use video, images and words, to bring the world of Landscape Design alive!

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4th January 2026

A very happy new year to you all and here’s to a wonderful 2026!

As the Northeast prepares for a fresh growing season, the shift in our local landscape is palpable.

In Newcastle, 2026 isn't just about how a garden looks—it’s about how it works for both the homeowner and the local environment.

Here are the three defining trends currently shaping our North East gardens:

The "Botanical Bento" & Outdoor Living

We are moving away from the sprawling, singular lawn. Instead, we’re designing "Botanical Bento" gardens—highly intentional, modular "rooms" carved out of the landscape. In Jesmond and Gosforth, we’re seeing a surge in vertical hardscaping and sunken social pits. These aren't just patios; they are luxury outdoor living rooms featuring weather-resilient grey stone paving, integrated heating, and "all-weather" kitchens that allow for entertaining even when a North Sea chill rolls in!

Resilience Over Maintenance

Climate consciousness has hit the mainstream. With unpredictable weather patterns, we’ve pivoted toward Climate-Resilient Design. This means:

• Rain Gardens: Strategically planted dips that manage heavy downpours common to our region.

• Drought-Tolerant Elegance: Swapping thirsty bedding plants for hardy "Central Asian" rose hybrids and Mediterranean staples like Lavender and Eryngium, which can handle a dry spell without a hosepipe.

• Mini-Meadows: Replacing high-maintenance grass with low-mow wildflower patches to boost local biodiversity.

• Simple materials choices such as cobble borders and gravels to direct water flow, create shallow temporary ponds and holding points for rain rather than flooding other areas of the garden.

The "Tabletop Allotment"

The cost of living and a desire for wellness have merged into Edible Landscaping. We’re no longer hiding veg patches at the back of the garden. 2026 is the year of the "Tabletop Tomato" and dwarf aubergines. These compact, decorative edibles are being integrated directly into ornamental borders and patio containers, proving that your garden can be both a sanctuary and a pantry.

Garden trends are a great snapshot of what is becoming popular and oftens shows new ideas - we'd love to discuss how these trends will fit with your new design or, happy to include your "must haves" that you've always wanted - old or new!