Today on the blog we talk to Georgia from Gardenique. Gardenique is a Melbourne-based provider of garden design and outdoor styling services, servicing the Melbourne metro in person and all of Australia via the internet. We caught up with her and had a chat about how to make your garden great.
You offer outdoor styling and garden design: tell us a bit more about that.
Gardenique specializes in garden design & outdoor styling for small urban gardens, courtyards, balconies. I'm passionate about creating inspiring, personal, and affordable outdoor spaces to fit a client's lifestyle. When people ask me what garden styling is - and they ask a lot - I tell them it's like interior design for outside. The garden design is creating & forming a space using built elements and plants, and the styling is adding your personal touch and warmth, just as an interior designer would for your house. I don't have a particular design style as every garden is a reflection of the client's personal style, dreams & wishes. It's my job to help them get all those ideas & expectations into an achievable master plan for their own personal outdoor space.
How did you get into this field?
My father was a property developer who practiced what he preached! We were always building new houses and moving, and I guess that early exposure to building and design made a big impression. There were always architectural plans lying around that I loved to trace, and before long I was drawing up floor plans for my bedroom and designing my own houses. I dreamed of becoming an architect.
What is your background in this field?
I studied architecture at university but ended up switching over to Landscape Architecture after a year. The mix of plants and built environment was the perfect fit for me. After graduating, I worked for Landscape Architecture firms in Brisbane and Sydney before moving to Singapore. There I worked on luxury resorts & hotels throughout Asia. I loved my time in Singapore and learned so much about how the built environment and, in particular, landscapes can make us feel and give us a certain energy.
What is the most surprising thing you've found while working in this field?
I think what is surprising is how underestimated landscape design is. Naturally, a lot of emphasis is on architecture, but the landscape is just as important - The Palace of Versailles would just be another castle without its gardens! In urban centers, landscape design is so important, especially as cities grow and people have less and less space.
What's the most interesting project you've worked on so far?
During my time at Belt Collins in Singapore, I worked on some amazing projects for very 'interesting' clients. One memorable client was a very wealthy widow in Jakarta who wanted an English rose garden on her penthouse garden at the top of a very tall skyscraper. Roses aren't very fond of tropical heat and 100% humidity, and no amount of money can change that!
What is the worst thing you've ever seen in an outdoor area?
The inappropriate use of fake grass is my biggest nightmare. There are many benefits to astroturf, but it will never look, feel, or smell as good as natural grass.
Designers and Architects often talk about matching a space to its intended uses. What, in practice, does this usually mean when dealing with an outdoor area?
It just comes down to understanding the client and what they want from a space, aesthetically and practically.
What mistakes do you commonly see householders make when redesigning their outdoor areas?
A common mistake is that they can do it themselves. Hiring a professional and getting a master plan right upfront is the best thing you can do.
What's the most common misconception that people have about your work?
I find the biggest misconception is that people think garden design is super expensive and only for wealthy homeowners. This just isn't so.
What's the one piece of advice you'd like to leave with readers?
Don't be hesitant to get a quote for your outdoor space to be re-designed or styled, even if you're on a shoestring budget. Enhancing your garden will improve curb appeal and increase the value of your house.
