Small Talk

A freeform design based on a less-is-more aesthetic brings style and personality to a pocket-sized suburban garden.

- Georgina Reid

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away,” wrote Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in his book Airman’s Odyssey in 1984. Landscape designer Peter Fudge also knows a thing or two about taking things away, as evidenced in this small, highly resolved garden in Sydney’s Mosman.

Inspired by Japanese design philosophies and practices, Peter has created a bold, sculptural space in the front garden of the property, and a simple, formally balanced backyard. “This garden relies on textures and form, and a less-is-more approach,” Peter says. “The most important factor in its design was its size. I wanted it to look larger than it was – I achieved this through a very open and pared-back design.”

While the clients’ brief was fairly open, they had a few requests – the garden needed to be sensitive to the style of the home, not too much work, fit in a shed, and accommodate their two Dachshund dogs. As always, Peter delivered this, and then some.