AdamA Robinson
This Sydney-based landscape designer d and stylist brings a keen k eye to outdoor spaces
WhatW was your path to garden design? My career kicked off in my parents’ garden. I would secretly garden when everyone was out of tthe house so my brothers wouldn’t tease me! I did my landscape construction trade and worked on the tools for a few years. I then moved into landscape design and after about three years, I was keen to learn more so I studied interior design. How does your styling eye inform your garden design work? I truly believe it’s just as important to have a good design, as it is to finish it off with good styling. I put a lot of time and attention into the styling of all of our gardens. Nailing the two is my secret recipe to a successful outdoor space! What’s important to you about the gardens you create? I like my gardens to have a timeless feel, to constantly evolve and take new directions with age. I don’t want them to look set within a certain time period or fit a certain trend; they are living, changing things. I look at gardens I designed almost 10 years ago and I still love them. You work with both large and smaller outdoor spaces – which is more challenging? Definitely the smaller spaces. Every inch needs to be carefully considered. In a large garden there is ample room to fit what is required within the brief. With small spaces, I need to come up with clever ideas for built-ins or elements that have multiple uses. I celebrate a small space and enjoy the challenge. How much impact can an outdoor space have on your quality of life? If you have an outdoor space, it really doesn’t matter how big or small it is, you’re one of the lucky ones. Being outdoors is therapy after a busy day and allows us to ground ourselves, connect, recharge, play and relish the simple pleasures of life. As Australians it’s part of our DNA to enjoy our backyard, whether this be a large garden or balcony. Is garden design trend-led, and if so, what are you seeing come through? Not as much as interiors but yes, garden design is trend-led. We’re obsessed with texture at the moment and we’re moving away from mass-manufactured pots and towards artisanal hand-thrown clay pots and handcrafted pieces. Popular planting palettes right now are more relaxed with fine and wispy plant textures. Think less rigidity and architectural planting, and more movement and rustle. What would be a dream project for you? My own beach house! I’m still busy manifesting this one, but the idea of creating my very own gnarly, coastal garden with an interesting mix of endemic and exotic plants would be a dream project. I can’t wait!