Small But Perfectly Formed

Improved for privacy and packed with family-friendly features, this modestly sized garden delivers big on rest and recreation

- Carol Bucknell

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To say that Leighton Bycroft’s garden is versatile would be an understatement. Despite its compact size, there’s a variety of features and spaces cleverly slotted into this outdoor space in Millwater, Silverdale, making it an ideal hang-out for Leighton, his four sons and their two cats, Harley and Cleo, plus partner Lou and her dog, Macy, who visit regularly. Thanks to landscape designer Sandra Batley of Flourish, Leighton’s garden now has two generous decks for outdoor living, as well as a spa-pool pavilion, water feature, lawn, fruit trees, vegetable garden and an outdoor fireplace.

SITE Leighton bought the 560-squaremetre property in Millwater Estate, in northern Auckland, two years ago when the freestanding house was nearing completion. He knew he could create his dream garden on the flat, sunny site and loved the friendly neighbourhood. “Millwater is a great location. It has good access to the motorway and I love the bush across the road. The only issues with the site were lack of privacy, because it is a new subdivision, and lots of clay soil,” he says.

STYLE Having worked with Sandra on a previous property, Leighton was confident she could give his new garden the pizzazz the existing, developer-installed patch lacked, but still ensure it was relatively easy to maintain.

“It needed a bit of colour, a place for my all-important spa area, and more decking. It was pretty barren,” he explains.

Leighton’s brief was comprehensive, says Sandra. “He wanted to give the existing garden a facelift, create privacy around the sides and rear boundary and provide an additional deck at the back of the house where he and the boys could enjoy the morning and midday sun.