SHIRLEY’S GARDEN · THE DESIGN STORY
Keep the soul. Let the magic grow.
Mature planting, collected objects and a black roll-top bath. There was already so much to work with in Shirley’s garden.
Personal transformation guide · Before photographs + proposed design visions
Explore Shirley’s garden transformation ↗
Explore Shirley’s garden transformation ↗Thank you im soo looking forward to starting my sanctuary. I was just in the garden and thought id do sections... it’s helpful and beautiful.
THE CHRONICLE · BY MARIE
What we started with
Shirley’s south-facing garden called for a low-budget approach, evergreen structure and a softer, more secluded feeling. Trees, climbers, pots, stone and her little Buddha all belonged to its story. The black bath, with its pale interior, became the feature to build towards.
What I noticed
The first job was to see what was already there: clear the visual clutter, group the useful plants and give the garden breathing space. Repeating plants and materials could connect the different corners. Green would hold it together, with colour appearing through it.
The direction we developed
We developed the bath as a water-feature sanctuary, framed by curtains, climbers, foliage and warm lanterns. The black exterior and pale interior stay visible. Around it, repeated evergreen planting softens the boundaries and creates little glimpses of the next part of the garden.
From a feeling to a plan
The full guide explains the bath-pond idea, planting choices, budget priorities and the order of work. A three-year Chronicle makes the vision manageable: establish the bones, add water and softness, then thicken and refine. Each month has tasks, suggested buys and space for Shirley’s own notes.
Marie · Garden Chronicles
The feeling
Evergreen calm, gentle movement, water and somewhere secluded.
The first moves
Clear, sort the pots and protect what already has character.
The unfolding
Create the bath sanctuary, repeat the greenery and refine season by season.
Explore the full transformation.
Explore the before-and-vision comparisons, planting, shopping, budget and month-by-month plan. You can try the notes and task checkboxes in the guide.
Explore Shirley’s garden transformation ↗