CLIENT: We just purchased our new waterfront home and love it… but please HELP, we think the gardens are atrocious.

MERLE: For this project I took my design cues from a painting I noticed in their home, a beautiful soft moody outdoor Italian scene with a red door and Juliette balcony. After a conversation with them about the painting it became clear what I needed to do - create a timeless garden for relaxing in the evening sun in a space that reminded them of the romantic gardens they love in Europe. With the use of a reflecting pond, waterfalls, a stone wall and iron gates I created a crushed gravel sitting area for them to sit, relax and listen the soothing sounds of water versus the near by highway traffic. The surrounding perennial gardens are a vibrant pallet of colour creating a rich blend of year round interest much to the delight of the local hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.