We live in a world that rarely stops. Our days are full, our minds often crowded. But step into a garden, and something shifts. The pace slows. The noise softens. You begin to breathe a little deeper. A well-designed garden isn’t just a pretty backdrop — it can be a powerful support for mental health and overall wellbeing. It’s a space that holds you, gently, without expectation.

Why real-life use should shape every layout. A garden can look beautiful in a photo — for a moment. But I’m not interested in creating a moment. I’m here to design something that lasts. I don’t design for glossy magazine shots or perfect Instagram squares. I design for people — for real lives, real seasons, real connections with nature. That means gardens that evolve, not perform. Spaces that feel good to be in — even when nothing’s flowering.

You’ve chosen the flooring. You’ve reworked the layout. The kitchen’s finally in. After months (sometimes years) of decision-making, the house feels right. But when you step outside… it doesn’t match. I’ve seen this story unfold in every type of project — new builds, period renovations, and extensions. The house gets all the attention. The garden gets left for later. Which is understandable. Renovations are intense. Timelines slip. Budgets tighten. The outside doesn’t look ur

The builders are gone. The paint’s dry. The new kitchen is everything you hoped it would be. But every time you look outside, it still feels… unfinished. Or worse—overwhelming. Because the garden wasn’t part of the plan. Not really. Maybe it got tidied up. Maybe someone laid a patio. But it never got the same attention as the house. And now, it shows. Post-renovation fatigue is real. After months of decision-making and disruptions, the idea of tackling the garden can feel

Some projects arrive with a different weight. Not because they're bigger, or more complex - but because of what they represent. The Dambusters Memorial Garden is one of those projects. When I was invited to submit a design for this space, I paused. Not to question it - but to absorb it. To understand the responsibility that comes with designing a garden that honours such a significant part of our history. This isn't just a garden. It's a place of remembrance. Of courage

Good garden design works in every season and every hour of the day. But many people stop planning at sundown — as if the space simply switches off when the daylight fades. That’s where lighting changes everything. Thoughtfully placed lighting can prolong the life of a garden well into the evening, shifting it from something you glance at through the window to a place you actively use and enjoy after dark. The right lighting means dinner outdoors doesn’t have to be cut shor

They’re designed for living, not just for looking at. There’s a common misconception that a good garden just happens — that if you plant a few things here and there, and wait for the sun to shine, beauty will simply unfold. But if you’ve ever tried to create a truly functional, beautiful outdoor space, you’ll know: good gardens are not accidents. They are designed with consideration. Because great gardens aren’t about filling space, they’re about creating a space that fits

In a world where more and more of us live in towns and cities, the spaces between buildings matter more than ever. They shape how we move, how we feel, how we connect—to ourselves, to others, and to the natural world. A well-designed urban landscape isn’t just about making places look better—it’s about helping people live better.

There’s a quiet myth that floats around garden design, that it’s only for people with land… the country homes, the big lawns, the plots with views and room to spread out. But some of the most satisfying, transformational spaces I’ve worked on have been small. City gardens, awkward courtyards, thin strips of outdoor space that felt more like afterthoughts than assets. And when you’re working with limited space, design isn’t a luxury, it’s the thing that makes it work.

Designing for real life, not just for plant lovers Some of the best gardens I’ve designed have been for people who don’t actually like gardening. They enjoy being outside, they love a cup of tea in the morning sun or watching the dog potter about. But pruning, feeding, deadheading? Not their thing. And that’s fine because a garden isn’t a test.

Let’s be honest, the phrase “low maintenance” has been getting a bad rep. People tend to say it like it’s a design cop-out, or worse, an aesthetic compromise. But take it from me, some of the cleverest gardens I’ve designed have been low maintenance by design… and proudly so.