behind the pool and on the fireplace chimney. Rather than keep the planter beds straight, Dee stepped them in and out, and included a space for two seats to flank the fireplace. The shapes are simple but add visual dimension to the courtyard. She was under strict orders to keep everything neat and tidy. Dave worked in the marine industry for many years and there’s something about the symmetry and precision of a well-built boat that he appreciates. So although the existing fireplace isn’t centred in that part of the garden, it now lines up with the barbecue opposite, which has its own spot on pavers that recess into the garden. Ceramic pavers now cover virtually all of the space at one end of the garden, leaving lots of flexibility for outdoor furniture to be rearranged in front of the fire, or orientated towards the house. Rather than suggest a planting plan full of repeat planting of a few types that relied on just foliage shape and colour for interest, she suggested a range of flowering plants as well. Any foliage colour echoes the Resene Pioneer Red of the bench seat or the Resene Tapa grey walls – there’s nandina, purple ake ake, festucas, leucadendron and Boston ivy. Flowering plants include kangaroo paw, verbascum and helenium in shades of deep red, purple and orange. Dee calls it a “stripped back masculine flower border”. Dave also has some orchids inherited from his “I love the whole thing. It’s calming, versatile and usable” Above: Lawn softens the narrow part of the garden, and is punctuated with two gardens, one for herbs. Below: From a space Dave barely used, the garden is now a pleasure to be in. The bench seat is a family heirloom, now painted in Resene Pioneer Red. Resene Pioneer Red Resene Half Tapa 76