Unley Garden by the Creek

A Design That Brings the Outdoors In

For this garden in Unley, the client trusted our vision from the start. The home was large, with expansive glass windows surrounding a relatively compact block, making the garden visible from nearly every room in the house. Our challenge was to craft a visually rich, functional small garden that blended privacy, beauty, and connection—bringing the outdoors inside, every day.

A focal point of this garden design is a custom-designed concrete bench seat—a one-of-a-kind feature that also serves as a retaining wall for raised garden beds. This dual-purpose element adds clean lines, sculptural presence, and seating functionality, while tying together the space visually and structurally.

Running along one side of the home, the narrow side garden bordered an active creek. To turn this into a usable feature, we created a decking boardwalk that leads into the home's alfresco area. The surrounding tropical-style landscaping provides texture, privacy, and a lush outlook, transforming the creekside into a peaceful retreat.

In the front yard, we designed with the home's unique architectural lines in mind. A custom front fence and natural stone steppers guide visitors through a garden defined by soft curves and layered planting. The result is a welcoming entry that reflects both the home’s style and the surrounding streetscape.