As a designer, I don't want to be pigeon-holed into one particular look as being 'my style'. Certainly, I have styles I prefer, but my number one priority is to express the personality of the client. I have had a lovely time this year designing completely different styles of garden for several clients. This one is one of my favourites. Can't wait to see it develop.
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| During construction and planting. |
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| Freshly finished |
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| Out the front, about 5 months later |
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Gorgeous sculpture/focal point adds another
element to the garden. The owners chose
this - it has fairy lights inside it. |
The owners didn't want any flowers, basically, and if there had to be flowers, they must be white. Mostly to be native NZ plants. Okay - very different from my latest designs, but so much fun to design! It is more of a challenge to create interest and variety without flowers, that is for sure, but I think the end result is just great. Plant forms, and leaf colour and texture contrasts are features of the planting. Lots more hard landscaping (walls and planter boxes) than I usually use (based on my clients' brief), so the plants were important to counter these built structures. Working within some strong ideas from my client, I think we came up with something really really great. Primarily designed for entertaining, but with an open lawn out the back for children to kick a ball around.
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A mix of trees for foliage interest - Magnolia grandiflora, Pseudopanex
arboreous (five-finger), and Michelia yunnanensis. I love mixing these
exotics with the NZ native trees. |
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| Before long the pebble mulch will be hidden under the textured ground covers. |
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| Planter box freshly planted |
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| Ligularia renformis and Dianella nigra in the planter box |
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| Shadows are so important to soften hard surfaces |
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| An open lawn for children to play |
As with all gardens - this will only get better with time, as trees form trunks to differentiate from the shrubs around them, adding layers/tiers and shade to the garden landscape.
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I love this view. The sculpture is so visually important, and can be seen
from many directions, giving a focus to this end of the garden. The fairy
lights around the fence must be magic at night. The owners added these,
and it is such a great idea. Make sure you add electricity early on in the
construction. |
So there you go - gorgeous isn't it?? Rx
Wow! That looks awesome! I'm glad you two are enjoying paradise. We'll have to visit sometime. I just wish you were closer. :)
ReplyDeleteLandscaping Virginia
It is really gorgeous! Sometimes, I wonder why most landscapes have a white colored theme because I think dirt will easily stain the paint and the décor. Well, recently, I tried to renovate the garden and started doing the white thingy, and it ended up splendidly! Anyway, you’re right to consider the personality of your clients. I know it’s better if they have a garden where they can relate themselves. :)
ReplyDelete-- Shona Martinez
Blending all these outdoor features can create a polished and refined look to your entire home landscape. When you use good landscaping elements, you increase the curb appeal.
ReplyDeletemonument pavers