PROJECT The Friendly Plant( Pty) Ltd
With such contrasting visions, our work was cut out for us.
The challenge was to create a space that would suit both personalities – a peaceful retreat for her and a practical, low-maintenance outdoor living area for him. Our starting point was clear: no lawn. Removing grass from the design not only solved part of the problem but also allowed for a creative, contemporary approach.
The garden’ s long and narrow shape shaped the overall layout. Instead of seeing its shape as a restriction, we chose to use it to our benefit by designing a journey through the space. A softly curving pathway became the central spine of the design, linking a series of smaller“ destinations” within the garden. Each area would have its own atmosphere and purpose, yet together they would create a unified and flowing landscape.
At the centre of the design lies a small swimming pool – a feature that anchors the space and immediately catches the eye. The pool is not only a visual focal point but also serves a practical purpose, offering a cooling and relaxing environment during hot summer months.
On either side of the pool, we created two distinct seating areas. To the left, a petite paved section designed to accommodate a simple outdoor table and chairs – the ideal spot for morning coffee or a peaceful afternoon with a book. This area offers a view along the curved pathway, framed by gentle plantings and natural textures. The pathway itself flows naturally from the pool, encouraging movement and exploration.
To the right of the pool, the atmosphere shifts slightly. Here, the space opens into a braai and fire pit area with built-in seating. This is the social centre of the garden – a place for evening gatherings, conversations, and starlit suppers. The pool and fire pit are visually linked by a paved section of the garden, uniting the two areas while preserving their individual character.
One of the most important sensory features in any garden is sound. Therefore, we included a pond next to the pool – a small but impactful element that introduces both movement and calm. The pond is built using brick and mortar for durability, but we finished it with natural rock coping to hide the structure and make it blend smoothly with the rest of the garden.
A single foaming nozzle produces a gentle yet steady flow of water, creating a soft, bubbling sound that reverberates throughout the space. In the evenings,
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the feature becomes a luminous focal point – the nozzle is surrounded by an LED light ring that highlights the foaming water, casting a gentle, enchanting glow.
Positioned opposite the home’ s patio doors, the water feature also enriches the indoor experience. When the doors are open, the sound of the water drifts into the house, creating a peaceful, ambient atmosphere that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors.
Although the garden features quite a bit of paving, we were careful not to make it feel sterile or harsh. To create a sense of balance, we added pockets of planting that soften the hardscape and introduce life and colour. Small planting“ holes” are integrated into the paved areas, breaking up large surfaces and allowing greenery to emerge naturally between the stones. This approach not only reduces glare on sunny days but also fosters a more organic and welcoming atmosphere.
The planting style is contemporary and minimalistic – broad strokes of texture and form rather than small, intricate beds. We used plants that are resilient, lowmaintenance, and suited to the local climate. The colour palette focuses on varying shades of green, yellow, and reddish tones, accented with structural plants that add rhythm and repetition throughout the space.
Palm trees were thoughtfully arranged along the rear boundary to create dappled shade and add vertical interest. Their graceful fronds cast shifting
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