Portfolio

Recent Projects

The Old Fire Station-65

Creating a Garden From a Car Park, St Margarets at Cliffe

Elmley Sept 2026

Gravel Garden Design at Elmley Nature Reserve

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House in the Middle of the Plot- Working with and Awkward Garden Layout, Hastingleigh

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Redesigning a Garden after the Family have Grown Up, Chestfield

Curved Garden

Turning a Patio Heavy New Build Garden Into Useable Space, Dover

Views of the paths and planting

Dog Proofing a Muddy Terraced Garden, Faversham

I'm much happier behind a planting plan than in front of a camera! But I'm making a conscious effort to be a little more visible in my business, so here goes! I recently had a branding shoot with the lovely Charlotte from @bycharlotteeve and, despite feeling rather nervous beforehand, I actually really enjoyed it! Charlotte put me completely at ease, had a brilliant eye for finding beautiful spots around the garden and really understood the images I needed for my business. So here's me, stepping out from behind the garden design and plant photos. Be kind! Anyone else find it much easier to showcase their work than themselves? #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #BrandingPhotography
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I'm much happier behind a planting plan than in front of a camera! But I'm...

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When clients occasionally ask how long it takes to create a garden, they’re often surprised...

You know your garden needs transforming, but you just can’t imagine what it could become. I recently received this lovely feedback from a client after they saw my design, and it really made my day. “Catriona came to see our rather sad, uneven and uninviting garden. We knew what we didn’t like but had no idea what could be done with it. Well wow! The design is fabulous. The planting is in harmony with our rural surroundings, with a curved path leading to a shaded pergola, a log pile area for the grandkids and raised beds to protect my perennials and roses from the rabbits. The whole garden is now inviting and welcoming. Catriona guided us through every step and has been wonderful to work with.” It’s such a pleasure helping clients see the potential in their gardens, especially when they don’t know where to begin. Garden Transformation • Garden Design • Client Testimonial • Garden Inspiration • Family Garden • Rural Garden Design • Kent Garden Designer #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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You know your garden needs transforming, but you just can’t imagine what it could become....

Sometimes a garden doesn’t need starting again. It just needs rethinking. This Chestfield garden had good bones, but it no longer suited the way my client lived. By working with what was already there, simplifying the planting and rethinking the layout, we’ve created a garden that feels calmer, more connected and much easier to enjoy. Swipe for the before & after → And if your garden no longer works for the way you live now, send me a DM. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes is all it needs.   Garden Transformation • Before and After Garden • Garden Redesign • Contemporary Garden Design • Mediterranean Garden • Garden Layout • Planting Design • Garden Makeover • Outdoor Living • Garden Inspiration • Chestfield • Whitstable • Kent Garden Designer         #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign @hythegardenlandscapes
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Sometimes a garden doesn’t need starting again. It just needs rethinking.

This Chestfield garden had...

Is your lawn becoming more trouble than it's worth? The mowing. The watering. The brown patches. The endless battle to keep it looking perfect. And after all that effort, how much time do you actually spend enjoying it? I love a beautiful lawn, but I also think we give them far too much space in our gardens simply because that's what we've always done. What if you gave some of that space back to planting, gravel gardens, winding paths or a lovely spot to sit with a coffee? Less lawn doesn't have to mean less garden. Quite the opposite! I've shared some examples of gardens I've designed where we've done things a little differently. Swipe through and tell me – could you be persuaded to give up some of your lawn? And if you're ready to rethink yours, send me a message. I'd love to help you explore the possibilities. Lawn Alternatives • Low Maintenance Gardens • Garden Design • Garden Inspiration • Gravel Gardens • Drought Tolerant Planting • Garden Redesign • Kent Garden Designer #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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Is your lawn becoming more trouble than it's worth?

The mowing. The watering. The brown...

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A garden shouldn’t have just one good season.

I recently revisited Hastingleigh and it was...

When the house has this much character, the garden needs to rise to the challenge. I’ve just started working with a new client in Sevenoaks whose home is a beautiful Swedish-designed contemporary house. The garden wraps around the house on a corner plot, with multiple levels to navigate – so there’s plenty to get my teeth into! The challenge will be creating a garden that feels as though it belongs with the architecture, connecting the different levels and making the spaces around the house work together rather than feeling separate. Next step is a detailed site visit to measure everything properly before the design work begins. I love this stage of a project – understanding the problems, spotting the opportunities and beginning to imagine what the garden could become. Follow along as this one takes shape. Garden Design • Contemporary Garden • Architectural Garden • Sloping Garden • Garden Levels • Sevenoaks • Kent Garden Designer • Garden Planning #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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When the house has this much character, the garden needs to rise to the challenge....

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You might not know this, but autumn can actually be a better time to plant...

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Before you tidy your garden for winter… watch this. 🍂

At this time of year,...

This is very much the BEFORE… just imagine what this could become. I’m working on this new-build garden in Challock, Kent, and we’re starting with a completely blank canvas. With the property sitting alongside a main road, privacy and screening will be important, without making the garden feel enclosed. The aim is to soften the plot with planting, create structure and character, and help the new house feel settled into its surroundings. I’m designing the front and back gardens together too, so the planting, materials and overall feel flow throughout. There’s a lot to think about when you’re starting from bare ground – but also so much potential. Follow along as I take this garden from bare ground to finished design – I’ll be sharing the plans, progress and transformation as it takes shape. New Build Garden • Garden Design • Before & After • Blank Canvas • Privacy Planting • Garden Screening • Challock • Kent Garden Designer #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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This is very much the BEFORE… just imagine what this could become.

I’m working on...

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You might imagine a garden designer spends most of their working week wandering around beautiful...

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From redundant car park to natural entertaining space.

It was lovely to revisit Elmley Nature...

A little bit about me that you might not know… I used to work as a Supplier Quality Engineer for Honda. 🚘 Seeing this Honda Civic Type R at a recent transport festival brought back plenty of memories. Many moons ago, I worked in New Product Introduction at Honda, helping take cars from concept design through to mass production – around 340 cars a day – in roughly six months. It was fast-paced and demanding, but quality was always at the heart of everything. Meeting deadlines mattered, but never at the expense of achieving the highest standards. And strangely enough, I can see a lot of that experience in the way I approach garden design today. A garden may be a very different end product, but bringing a design to life still means coordinating the right suppliers and contractors, paying attention to the details and making sure the finished result is something everyone involved can be proud of. From cars to gardens – perhaps the leap wasn’t quite as big as it sounds! Garden Designer • Get To Know Me • Engineering Background • Design Process • Attention To Detail • From Concept To Completion • Garden Design • Kent Garden Designer #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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A little bit about me that you might not know… I used to work as...

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Even experienced gardeners sometimes need a fresh pair of eyes.

I’m currently working on the...

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If your garden is also your workplace, it needs to do more than just look...

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You may have spotted me in the latest issues of Wealden Times 👀

It’s been...

So lucky to have had a tour of two villa gardens in Fiesole The first was Villa Medici, one of the oldest Renaissance villas. With amazing lemons and views of the city. The style very much evergreen, controlled and geometric. Softness from the vistas beyond. @myfloraguide was gave an amazing guided tour. Although my illustrations were shattered that Cypress trees are not native to Italy! The second was a much newer garden Villa La Balze. It was cleverly built into terraces and rooms to give the impression of a much larger garden. Very different ways of using the view And creating shade. Glorious
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So lucky to have had a tour of two villa gardens in Fiesole

The first...

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When you take a garden designer to Italy to see a nursery you end up...

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As summer begins to fade, it’s tempting to think the gardening season is coming to...

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Looking back through these projects reminds me just how different every garden is.

From compact...

A wonderful day out today at Les Jardin De Marqueyssac, a chateau perfectly placed on clifftops with views for miles. The garden sports clipped boxwood (not sure about the caterpillars control here). The humid climate allowing lichen to grow in between. Lovely spot for a glass of wine.
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A wonderful day out today at Les Jardin De Marqueyssac, a chateau perfectly placed on...

The best gardens aren't just something to look at from the kitchen window, they invite you in. Does your garden give you a reason to step outside? Whether it's a morning coffee on the patio, picking herbs for dinner, tending to a vegetable patch, reading a book in the shade or simply enjoying a quiet moment surrounded by nature, having a purpose encourages you to use your garden every day. As a garden designer, I always think about how my clients will live in their garden, not just how it will look. Spending time outdoors has been shown to benefit both our physical and mental wellbeing. Sometimes all it takes is creating a space that draws you outside. How does your garden encourage you to spend more time in it? @hythegardenlandscapes Garden Design • Outdoor Living • Garden Lifestyle • Garden Wellbeing • Garden Inspiration • Nature Connection • Garden Planning • Garden Spaces • Mental Wellbeing • Kent Garden Designer
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The best gardens aren't just something to look at from the kitchen window, they invite...

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Not every garden needs a complete redesign.

Sometimes all you need is a fresh pair...

Have you ever fallen in love with a plant at the garden centre... only for it to struggle once you get it home? You're not alone. I've done it too! It's easy to assume we're not very good gardeners, but often the problem isn't you, it's that the plant simply isn't suited to your garden. Choosing the right plant means considering so much more than how it looks. Soil type, drainage, sunlight, shade, wind, moisture and even the time of year all play a part in whether a plant will thrive. As much as I love Japanese Acers, I know my own garden is far too exposed for one to flourish. Sometimes the best decision is choosing a plant that's perfectly suited to the conditions rather than trying to make the wrong one work. When you find plants that truly love your garden, everything becomes easier. They grow stronger, require less maintenance and reward you year after year. The secret to a beautiful garden isn't buying the most beautiful plants, it's choosing the right plants for the right place. Plant Selection • Planting Design • Right Plant Right Place • Garden Design • Garden Advice • Planting Plans • Soil Conditions • Garden Inspiration • Healthy Plants • Kent Garden Designer
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Have you ever fallen in love with a plant at the garden centre... only for...

Does your garden feel a little flat? One of the most common things I notice in new gardens is that everything sits at the same height. While the planting may be beautiful, the garden can still feel a little lacking in depth and interest. Adding height is one of the simplest ways to transform a space. Trees and larger shrubs introduce structure, create focal points and draw your eye through the garden. They also bring year-round interest, whether that's beautiful blossom in spring, vibrant autumn colour, striking bark in winter or berries that provide food for wildlife. And don't worry—not every tree grows into a towering giant! Choosing the right tree for the right place can completely change the feel of a garden without overwhelming it. Sometimes, all a garden needs is a little lift. Garden Design • Trees • Garden Structure • Garden Height • Planting Design • Garden Inspiration • Ornamental Trees • Wildlife Garden • Year-Round Interest • Kent Garden Designer
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Does your garden feel a little flat?

One of the most common things I notice...

What's your superpower? One of mine is being able to visualise a garden in three dimensions before it's built. I think my background in engineering, combined with a creative eye, has given me the ability to see how a space can evolve long before the first plant goes into the ground. Not everyone finds it easy to visualise plans on paper, which is why I often create 3D CAD models for my clients. They help bring a design to life, showing the layout, levels, planting and even how light and shadow move through the space. For many people, seeing a garden in 3D makes it much easier to understand how it will look and feel, giving them confidence before the project begins. If you're finding it difficult to imagine the potential of your garden, I'd love to help. 3D Garden Design • CAD Garden Design • Garden Visualisation • Garden Design • Landscape Design • Garden Planning • Design Process • Outdoor Living • Garden Designer • Kent Garden Designer
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What's your superpower? One of mine is being able to visualise a garden in three...

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Flowers come and go. Structure stays.

When I’m designing a planting scheme, I’m always thinking...

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A complete garden transformation can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to happen all at...

It might feel far too early to be thinking about spring, but now is actually the best time to order your bulbs. The most sought-after varieties do sell out, so planning ahead gives you the best choice and means you're ready to plant when autumn arrives. Whether you love natural drifts of snowdrops, vibrant ribbons of tulips, cheerful daffodils, or delicate camassias and alliums weaving through your borders, planning now gives you the best choice of varieties before they sell out. My favourite suppliers are @farmergracy and @jparkersbulbs , both of whom offer an excellent range of high-quality bulbs. If you're not sure what to choose or how to incorporate bulbs into your borders, I also offer a bespoke bulb planting package. Together, we can create a scheme that complements your garden and brings months of beautiful spring colour. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #SpringBulbs #BulbPlanting #GardenDesign #PlantingDesign #KentGardens #SpringGarden #GardenInspiration
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It might feel far too early to be thinking about spring, but now is actually...

Last week I revisited one of my projects in Cranbrook, Kent, and I'm so excited that it's finally moving forward. The project has been on hold while the building work was completed, so it was wonderful to return and see the beautifully renovated old grain store, which is currently being converted. The garden is still very much a blank canvas, but the setting is absolutely stunning and full of potential. It's a large space with some exciting opportunities to create a garden that complements the character of the buildings and sits comfortably within its beautiful countryside setting. This long-awaited project is finally about to begin, and I can't wait to share the journey with you. Garden Design • Country Garden • Oast House • Garden Transformation • Landscape Design • Cranbrook Kent • Garden Planning • Outdoor Living • Kent Garden Designer • New Garden Project #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #Cranbrook #GardenTransformation #GrainStoreConversion
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Last week I revisited one of my projects in Cranbrook, Kent, and I'm so excited...

How do you create a kitchen garden that's both highly productive and a pleasure to spend time in? That's exactly the brief I was given for this beautiful farm in Lynsted, Kent. The design centres around a stunning Victorian-style greenhouse, with raised beds for growing fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, alongside elegant fruit cages, water troughs and carefully considered pathways to make the space both practical and enjoyable to use. For me, a kitchen garden should be every bit as beautiful as it is functional. It should be a place where you want to spend time, harvesting, pottering, growing and enjoying the changing seasons. These 3D visuals are helping to bring the design to life before work begins, and I can't wait to see this one become a reality. Watch this space... this is going to be a very special project. Kitchen Garden • Productive Garden • Victorian Greenhouse • Raised Beds • Garden Design • Fruit and Vegetable Garden • Cut Flower Garden • Garden Planning • Outdoor Living • Kent Garden Designer #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #KitchenGarden #GardenDesign
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How do you create a kitchen garden that's both highly productive and a pleasure to...

Do you remember this garden in Sheldwich, Kent? I recently revisited it and shared some photos of how beautifully it has matured. If you missed them, take a look back through my recent posts. The exciting news is that we're about to start Phase Two of the project! One of the things I love most about working in phases is that it allows a garden to evolve over time. We can see what's working well, build on the original design and continue creating a space that grows with the client's needs. The garden is already looking beautiful, but I have some exciting ideas for the next stage and can't wait to get started. Watch this space... the transformation continues. Garden Design • Sheldwich Kent • Garden Transformation • Planting Design • Phased Garden Design • Country Garden • Outdoor Living • Garden Planning • Kent Garden Designer • Garden Inspiration #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #GardenDesign #SheldwichKent #GardenTransformation #PlantingDesign
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Do you remember this garden in Sheldwich, Kent? I recently revisited it and shared some...

With Kent now under a hosepipe ban, I thought I'd share a few simple tips that will make a real difference to your garden. Water deeply, not little and often. A thorough soak encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making plants stronger and more resilient. Light watering only wets the surface, encouraging shallow roots. Focus on one area at a time. Rather than lightly watering the whole garden, choose a bed or border and give it a really good soak before moving on to the next area another day. Water the roots, not the leaves. Aim the water at the base of the plant where it's needed most. Prioritise the right plants. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials should always come before the lawn. Lawns are surprisingly resilient and will usually recover when the rain returns. Water early or late. The best time is early morning or late evening, when temperatures are cooler and less water is lost through evaporation. Planning a new garden? Many of my clients now choose drip irrigation or leaky hose systems. They deliver water slowly and directly to the roots, are highly efficient and, depending on your local water company's restrictions, may still be permitted during a hosepipe ban. A little thought about how you water can make a huge difference to the health and resilience of your garden. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #WateringYourGarden
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With Kent now under a hosepipe ban, I thought I'd share a few simple tips...

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Last week I was back at @elmleynature but this visit was a little different...

I...

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Last week I had the pleasure of revisiting this beautiful garden in Hastingleigh, nestled in...

A garden shouldn't only look good in June. One of the biggest challenges in garden design is creating interest throughout the entire year, not just for a few weeks when everything is in flower. That's why a garden design plan is so important. Every plant, shrub and tree is selected not only for how it looks today, but for the role it plays across the seasons. Winter structure, spring growth, summer colour and autumn texture all need to work together. For these clients, it was also important to retain some existing shrubs they loved, proving that a new garden doesn't always mean starting from scratch. "We highly recommend Catriona... She did a fantastic job designing a beautiful garden with interest all year round, even incorporating in the design some shrubs that we already had in our garden and wanted to keep. This year the garden is looking lovely as the plants are all thriving. We are delighted and can't wait to see what it looks like next year." If you're finding that your garden only shines for part of the year, it may be worth stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. #GardenDesignerKent #KentGardens #ClientTestimonial
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A garden shouldn't only look good in June.

One of the biggest challenges in garden...

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Confession time...

If you tell me you want skinny borders, I’m probably going to try...

With another heatwave upon us, many gardeners are starting to think about drought tolerance and how their gardens cope when the rain disappears. This is where gravel gardens come into their own. A well-designed gravel garden can look beautiful while helping plants thrive in hot, dry conditions. The gravel helps retain moisture in the soil, reduces weed growth and creates the free-draining conditions that many Mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants love. And before you picture a garden full of stones, the plants are still the stars of the show. Think grasses swaying in the breeze, clouds of flowers, interesting textures and year-round structure. The gravel simply provides the perfect backdrop. Many clients are also looking to reduce the amount of lawn in their gardens. During periods of hot weather, lawns can require significant watering to stay green and healthy, while gravel gardens continue to perform with far less intervention. As our summers become hotter and drier, gravel gardens are becoming an increasingly practical and attractive option for many gardens. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #UKHeatwave #GravelGardens #GardenDesign
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With another heatwave upon us, many gardeners are starting to think about drought tolerance and...

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Not every day as a garden designer is spent outdoors.

Yes, there are lots of...

What I love and hate equally about Pinterest... It's brilliant for inspiration, but it can also make garden design feel even more overwhelming. You start by saving a few pictures and before you know it, you've got 100 different gardens and no idea which direction to take your own. And then there's AI. More and more of the beautiful gardens appearing on Pinterest aren't real gardens at all. They're AI-generated images, often showing plants growing in impossible places, unrealistic proportions or combinations that simply wouldn't work in real life. Visualising a garden is hard enough without trying to recreate something that doesn't actually exist. Having someone look at your space with fresh eyes can be so valuable. During my garden consultations, we look at the structure, flow and planting, helping you create a clear plan that works for your garden, budget and lifestyle. And remember, you don't have to tackle everything at once. Some of the best transformations start with a single border or one area of the garden. If you're feeling stuck, send me a DM and let's chat about your garden. P.S. Can you tell which of these 2 garden pictures is real and which is AI-generated? Let me know in the comments. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #KentGardenDesigner
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What I love and hate equally about Pinterest...

It's brilliant for inspiration, but it can...

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Every garden has a story. This one just happens to have two.

I’m so excited...

If you have a new build garden, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed. Many people move into a new home, dig their first planting hole and discover compacted soil, builders’ rubble or ground that looks far from ideal. It’s easy to assume that nothing will ever grow well there. The good news is that poor soil doesn’t have to stay poor. Healthy gardens start below ground. Before focusing on the plants themselves, it’s worth investing time in improving the soil. Mulching and the no dig approach can make a huge difference, helping to build soil structure, improve moisture retention and encourage the beneficial microorganisms that plants rely on. That’s one of the reasons I always take soil samples during my design consultations. Understanding the soil is a crucial part of creating a planting scheme that will thrive. There’s little point choosing beautiful plants if the conditions aren’t right for them to succeed. I find soil fascinating. Beneath the surface is a whole ecosystem working away to support your garden. The healthier the soil, the healthier and more resilient your plants will be. When I work with clients on gardens, we don’t just think about how the garden will look. We think about creating the right conditions for plants to thrive for years to come. A beautiful garden starts from the ground up. #SoilTesting #GardenDesign #KentGardenDesigner #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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If you have a new build garden, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed.

Many people move...

Garden features don't always have to be large statement pieces. Sometimes it's the collection of carefully chosen elements throughout a garden that creates interest, personality and a sense of discovery. In this Charing Heath garden, we incorporated several focal points. Sculptural metal forms add height and drama against the brick wall, a textured metal seed-head sculpture creates interest close to the house, while playful hare sculptures peek out from the planting, rewarding those who take the time to look a little closer. These features help lead your eye through the garden and create moments of surprise and delight. They also provide year-round interest, particularly during the winter months when flowers and foliage are less prominent. When designing a garden, I often think about where the eye will travel. What will catch your attention from the house? What will draw you down a path? What details will reveal themselves as you move through the space? Plants are often the stars of the show, but thoughtfully placed features can help tell the story and give a garden its own unique character. The best gardens don't reveal everything at once. They invite you to keep looking. Garden Features | Garden Design | Garden Sculpture | Charing Heath Garden | Garden Inspiration | Kent Garden Designer | Garden Details | Planting Design #KentGardens #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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Garden features don't always have to be large statement pieces.

Sometimes it's the collection of...

One of the joys of being a garden designer is that you never stop learning. Today I had the pleasure of visiting Simon Richards' award-winning garden in Folkestone. This wasn't my project and I can take absolutely no credit for it. I was there purely for research, inspiration and the simple joy of spending time in a beautiful garden with a friend. It's easy to see why Simon's garden won BBC Gardeners' World Magazine's Garden of the Year. What was once a traditional lawn-dominated garden has been transformed into a stunning gravel garden inspired by the work of Beth Chatto. The planting is naturalistic, drought-tolerant and full of movement, texture and seasonal interest. What makes this garden particularly relevant for us here in Kent is that it responds so beautifully to the challenges many of us are facing. We are seeing hotter summers, longer dry spells and increasing pressure on water resources. Gardens that can thrive with less irrigation are becoming more important than ever. Rather than fighting the conditions, Simon has embraced them, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and resilient. The judges praised its structure, ecology and planting, but what struck me most was how relaxed and natural it felt. It is a garden that works with nature rather than against it, and that's something I think many of us can learn from. Days like this are a reminder that inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes the best thing a designer can do is step away from the drawing board and spend time experiencing great gardens firsthand. Thank you, Simon, for sharing your garden. @simessimondii @gardenersworldmag Garden Design | Gravel Garden | Drought Tolerant Planting | Kent Gardens | Sustainable Gardening | Water Wise Garden | Climate Resilient Garden | Garden Inspiration | Naturalistic Planting | Folkestone Garden #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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One of the joys of being a garden designer is that you never stop learning....

If you saw my stories last week, you'll know I was rather excited about revisiting a garden I designed a few years ago here in my village, Sheldwich in Kent. A friend who helps care for the garden sent me a message last week saying, "You have to come and see it, it's looking amazing!" She wasn't wrong. Returning to a garden is always a privilege. As designers, we spend so much time planning, drawing and imagining how a space will look and feel, but gardens are never really finished. They grow, mature and evolve over time. Walking around this garden last weekend, I was genuinely blown away by how beautiful it has become. The planting has knitted together, the layers are working exactly as intended, and every turn offers something different to enjoy. These are just a few of the pictures I took during my visit. Seeing all that planning, hard work and patience come to fruition fills me with such pride and joy. It also serves as a reminder that some of the best gardens aren't instant. They develop year by year, becoming richer and more beautiful with time. A huge thank you to my client for trusting me with their garden, and to my wonderful gardener friend who encouraged me to come back and see it at its best. Garden Design | Sheldwich Garden | Kent Garden Designer | Mature Garden | Planting Design | Garden Transformation | Established Planting | Seasonal Interest | Landscape Design | Garden Inspiration | Outdoor Living | Garden Planning | Cottage Garden Style | Beautiful Gardens | Kent Gardens #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #Sheldwich #KentGardens
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If you saw my stories last week, you'll know I was rather excited about revisiting...

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After a week of heat, busy schedules and constantly being on the go, I hope...

I have a real soft spot for “problem” gardens. Slopes. Split levels. Awkward layouts. Spaces that make people say “We just don’t know what to do with it.” They’re often the gardens people avoid because they feel too complicated, but they’re usually the ones with the most potential. This garden had already been designed and landscaped before, but something still wasn’t quite working. Can you spot the issue with the pergola? From inside the house, the view felt completely disconnected from the garden. A series of strong horizontal lines sat right at eye level when seated indoors, blocking the connection between house and garden. Not ideal, especially in the UK, when we spend so much of the year appreciating our gardens from inside. Perhaps not now in the heatwave! This is exactly why thoughtful garden design matters. It’s not just about choosing materials or planting schemes, it’s about working in 3D, understanding levels and designing from every viewpoint. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from solving the problems other people can’t quite see. Problem Gardens | Split Level Gardens | Sloping Gardens | Garden Design | 3D Design | Garden Planning | Awkward Spaces | Garden Views | Outdoor Living | Kent Garden Designer #CatrionalStilesGardenDesign
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I have a real soft spot for “problem” gardens.

Slopes. Split levels. Awkward layouts. Spaces...

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What do you do with a converted fire station with a garden full of astroturf?...

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Wondering what it’s actually like to work with me?

In this video, I’m talking you...

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When my client in Chestfield, near Whitstable first contacted me, she felt completely overwhelmed by...

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