Upon reflection
Lifestyle
considerations are always a priority when you are looking to renovate
or build a new home. And an attractive outdoor living area is probably
right at the top of the list.
Robin Shafer of Shafer Design says the earlier a landscape designer is consulted
on a project, the better the outcome.
"Outdoor living is an integral part of a modern lifestyle, and needs to
be planned from the outset," she says. "The payoff is not just about
an attractive alfresco dining area, or an inviting swimming pool – an appealing
landscape will also increase the value of a house substantially."
Shafer has been designing gardens for the past 25 years and has seen a number
of landscaping trends evolve. But she says good landscape design is more about
working with the architecture of a house and the personality of the client.
"Every project demands a different design response. A subtropical garden,
such as the one featured here, may be a solution for a house with resort-style
architecture, but another property may require a more formal, traditional layout."
Although based in Auckland, Shafer undertakes work throughout the country.
