Mat's Garden "Build"

Personally I would have left it as it was as I really like a bit of lush planting. However I'm impressed with your hard work and the high standard of finish to the path etc.

Seeing as you are really good at slab-laying, I'd have laid it mostly to slabs, reserving some generous beds for low maintenance planting. (A slabbed area makes a great spot for outdoor furniture and creating an outdoor "room"). There are plenty of plants that only need a bit of attention once or twice a year- if that. Grass will need an hour's attention every single week during the summer. Pots are also high maintenance as they need a lot of replacement filling, probably most years depending on what you choose, and possibly daily watering in hot seasons.