PERSONALITY PLUS

Soft and sculptural plants come together to create an interesting, eclectic and ever-changing garden designed to develop character over time.

- Elizabeth Wilson

The beauty of this Melbourne garden lies in its balance of elements. It’s a contemporary design comprised almost entirely of young plants and yet it sits, looking like it has always belonged, surrounding a heritage home. It’s neat and orderly, and yet there are pockets where the plants are untamed and self-sufficient; it’s chic, but also atmospheric, quirky and fun. In short, it’s exactly the kind of multi-faceted space the owners were seeking for their newly renovated home.

The owners, a young professional couple, bought the east-facing property in 2009 after falling in love with the characterful Edwardian home (circa 1905) and the generous 850-square-metre block. Previous owners had extended outward to the northern boundary, which meant little direct sunlight entered the house. “There was also little interaction between the house and the garden,” says the owner. In fact, there was very little in the way of established garden at all, except for a pomegranate tree – believed to be almost as old as the house – in the front lawn, which the owners wanted to retain and honour.

They set about planning a sympathetic renovation inside and out. Working with Matt Gibson Architecture, they removed the dated addition and replaced it with a sleek new one in anthracite zinc that extends off the rear and wraps around the southern side of the home. They also installed a pool in the south-west corner of the property and a writer’s studio along the back fence. When building works finished, they were excited to integrate garden throughout all these spaces.