Help! I know nothing! (and can't draw diagrams either)

[Pigletpoglet]

So we live in a Victorian semi, in a village. We have a tiny (6m x 6m) back yard, and several dogs.

Current garden (pic 1):
Tiny scratty lawn that is unusable due to being dug up by and shat on by ddogs.
5 ft(!) tree stump (due to leaving DH in charge of directing tree surgeons when it was cut down).
Not enough space for a table/chairs etc
Manky concrete block outside sliding doors with steps going down sideways that takes up approx. 3 sq m of garden and cuts view of garden in half with railings.
Previous owners were keen gardeners, so there are lots of lovely plants, but I have no idea what they are...

What I would like (pic 2, and pic 3 for kind of thing I like):
A paved or flagged yard (old looking, not modern and 'smart') (much easier to keep clean of dog shit)
Planting in raised beds around the edge - but build from local stone, not wood.
Chaotic, colourful, country garden type planting, with minimal upkeep!
Steps going straight down from sliding doors, with raised/stepped planting either side to somehow stop people and dogs falling off the edge of the steps.

Do I need a garden designer? And how much might that cost? Or if not, how do I find a gardener/builder who can do the work and advise on planting (as I am completely clueless). How do you make sure that drainage works? What kind of furniture would you get? I'm more bothered about lounging around reading than eating outside, but the garden is a bit of a suntrap and gets hot in summer.

Help! Any advice appreciated.

Do I need a garden designer? Not necessarily - you have a very clear idea of what you want.

Google/ask on facebook for local garden hard landscapers and see examples of their work, then research on-line or via books for the planting (people who do gardens aren't necessarily plantsmen). Think of the planting side as an on-going project - grow what takes your fancy and you will learn as you go along - it will look nice from year one, but your tastes will change.

I'd suggest starting with annuals, and adding perennials once you are sure of what you would like to live with for years. Our terrace is similar to what you're aiming for. We have lavender, rosemary and various other meditteranean herbs - like the sun and can tolerate drought. Wallflowers for early season scent, followed by dame's violet and sweet peas, sweet alyssum for long lasting scent, scabious for a long flowering season and lots of bumblebees, snow-in-summer, perennial candytuft. Annuals according to my whim at the time - this year it's catananche (blue papery flowers), giant deep blue forget-me-not type plant about 3 ft high, canterbury bells and clarkia. Lots of other things in the gravel (we have gravel with inset flags - more flags where we put the table and chairs, fewer elsewhere). Spring bulbs to cheer us up early in the year, and potted ornamental grasses to continue with some greenery over the winter.

Thing about whether you want to leave tiny "planting pockets" in the garden for low growing plants like thyme to break up the expanse - Containers are fantastic (you can move them into position when in full flower, then tuck them into obscurity when they've finished for the year) but they need daily watering in hot weather. Actually probably no to the planting pockets - I was forgetting the dog. Easier to clean a smooth sweep of paving.

What kind of furniture would you get? We've got aluminium with synthetic woven cloth-like seats. Not either trendy or traditional, but it can be left outside without having to have a rain cover. More comfortable than wood. Cushioned seats are lovely and comfortable, but you either have to cover them after use in case of rain, or bring them in. And if you can't just wander out into the garden with coffee cup in hand and sit straight down, you'll lose a big chunk of its niceness.

Try to get an umbrella/sunshade. Easier to get stability if they're coming up through a hole in a table, but I think you can get free standing ones. Our terrace faces south, and the table is sheltered on 3 sides, but the umbrella makes it pleasant even at midday in the summer.

Your raised beds will need some watering in the summer, so think of installing some water pipes for an automatic watering system. Or an outside tap, so you don't have to trail through the house with a dripping watering can.

You seem to have a good strong image of what you want to create and it’s sounds like you are more than able to do this.
I’d plot where the sun falls throughout the day, so that you can plant appropriately.
A hard landscape builder would be the one to put in the pavings, walls steps and be much cheaper than a garden designer. They would sub contract out to a landscaper.
You could use reclaimed pavers and bricks to get the aged look. Little gaps in paving and walls for self sown plants and scented herbs.
Old fashioned cottage plants such as foxgloves, dianthus, scented roses etc.
Look on Pinterest for ideas for cottage planting.

@MereDintofPandiculation and @Beebumble2 Thank you so much! Just knowing that I need a hard landscaper and a plantsman is a fantastic starting point. I'm going to get going on pinterest for planting, furniture and steps.

My plan:
Plot where the sun goes in the garden (genius!)
Have the tree taken out/stump ground out
Hedges trimmed right back
Get on pinterest for steps, furniture and planting

Then:
Find a plantsman to identify anything worth saving, and discuss ideas
Get a hard landscaper in to build and pave, including replacing trellis and steps, think about a watering system
Begin planting, buy furniture, enjoy!

Can you spot anything I have missed?

You've given me garden inspiration now!

Plantsman is more what you'd get with a garden designer, provided you got a qualified one, and that would cost you a lot. I'd try and meet up with someone local, perhaps offer cuttings in exchange for identifying what you've already got. And then be prepared to do some research yourself. You don't need to acquire a vast amount of plant knowledge, just find some things that you like, which are easy to grow, and which will enjoy your conditions.

If you see someone in their front garden, and they have a plant you like, don't be afraid to stop and ask them what it is. Most gardeners are happy to talk about their garden and share their knowledge.

If any village or town near you is having an "open gardens" day, it's a good way of seeing gardens, talking to owners, and finding out what the plants you like are, and how easy they are to grow.