COOL CHANGE

A reimagined garden offers places to rest, reflect and entertain

This cool-climate garden wasn't always the inviting oasis it is today. When the owners moved in it was overgrown and neglected. "What they wanted was an eye-catching landscape with grand street appeal," says Shannon Decker, managing director of Now & Zen Landscapes.

The elevation of the house meant many steps and level changes would be required to optimise the space so Shannon turned this into a design opportunity, incorporating landings, sitting areas and directional shifts. To bring interest to these differing spaces, focal points were introduced.

"To add vertical interest to the cobbled courtyard sitting area located at the front of the house, one of our team members, who is an experienced stone mason, used local ironstone dug up on the project to create a sculptured stone cairn," says Shannon.