There's something delightfully dramatic about transforming an outdoor space. When we first arrived, the garden was this terribly polite expanse of green—the sort of lawn that exists purely for the sake of existing. No personality whatsoever! And once Arthur our Airedale puppy had dug holes all over it, it had become a complete eyesore.
The front garden was absolutely dominated by a huge hedge that was practically swallowing the house. If course, it did give complete privacy to the bedroom but aside from that it didn’t provide much else.
Dreams Become Drawings
So we began dreaming. There's something magical about allowing your imagination to run absolutely wild before reining it in just enough to make it possible and come in under budget. I adore that process—the fantasy gradually becoming something tangible and attainable.
Our first meeting with Land Art was absolutely thrilling. I'm mad for materials—all those textures and possibilities! We were immediately drawn to creating something with a distinctly Italian influence. One should always design with a narrative in mind, don't you think? And the Mediterranean story felt so right for this space. We’ve holidayed as a family often in Italy and felt it connected us to our memories we have made there. We selected the most beautiful combinations—a bit of vintage terra cotta roof tiles here, lovely decomposed granite and crazy pave there—each element singing together in perfect harmony.
Liberation Through Demolition
When the hedge came down—oh! What liberation! Suddenly the house could breathe again. There's something so satisfying about removing things that no longer serve you. Design is as much about what you take away as what you add, and this removal transformed the entry experience completely. Light flooded in, and the house seemed to straighten its posture
The Beautiful Mess of Creation
The back garden transformation was a gloriously messy adventure. We got to know the guys working on the site very well since they arrived at 7:00am daily and the back of our house is entirely glass. Of course, there were setbacks and budget issues but overall, it began to take shape. The project had a deadline of our daughter’s birthday as we felt if we didn’t have a hard stop it may have gone on for longer. So within three days it was all hands on deck – the plants went it, the final touches were done, the pool was filled and the paint dried on the fence. Finally the first swim! And yes, it was incredible!
Paradise Found, Not Purchased
Now we have this little slice of Italian paradise right here in Bondi. It's transformed how we live entirely—from a house with an unused lawn to a proper home with outdoor rooms that expand our living space and fill it with joy.
The most wonderful interiors (and exteriors!) tell your story. They're not plucked from a catalogue but crafted from your dreams. This garden is now undeniably ours—full of personality and purpose, with every element carefully considered but appearing effortlessly assembled. The plant choices are so unique and refined – something we absolutely could not have achieved without expert guidance. They really speak to the soft Mediterranean look we were hoping for and yes there are olive trees and lemons but there are also Grevillia and Mexican Sage, things we never would have thought to plant.
Creating a space that makes you want to stay home rather than jet off somewhere else—that's the ultimate success in design, isn't it? Though our little Italian paradise has rather gloriously transformed us into "the spot" for summer gatherings! The constant washing of towels for the masses of friends and the artistic assembly of platters to feed them has become something of a full-time occupation. But, what divine first-world problems to have! There's something utterly magical about creating a space so compelling that everyone wants to be in it—even if it means I'm forever finding damp towels draped over every conceivable surface and empty glasses wedged into plants. A small price to pay for being the theatrical backdrop to so many wonderful memories, don't you think?
