Sheoak Design

So good to see this garden coming to life!!
These clients are DIY-ing the build from my design, and the progress is looking fantastic. Proof you don’t need a huge budget to create a thoughtful, beautiful outdoor space. 😁🌿

Choosing between Australian and imported stone?
It’s not just about aesthetics…durability, environmental impact, sourcing, and long-term performance all come into play.

I take an honest look at the pros and cons of each, and why thoughtful choices matter in landscape design. Sometimes it’s not about using more, but using what’s right for the space.

Swipe to explore the differences and feel free to share your thoughts.

Some spaces just don’t work—until you redesign them.

This courtyard didn’t flow. It was a large awkward, disconnected, and underused large paved area. Now?

I’ve added:
— Massive Cypress post seating (yes, they’re chunky on purpose) with firepit
-An open timber pergola with a sliding shade sail
-Pizza oven + built in BBQ
-Steps leading up to the veggie garden
-Native plantings to soften the hardscapes
-A sculpture from a local artist

This courtyard will now feel like a place to be. To cook, eat, or to sit and be still. An invitation to enjoy the garden.

👇 If your outdoor space isn’t working for how you actually live, comment ‘refresh’ below and I’ll get in touch to see how I can help you

For some reason, I really like this plant.
Maybe it’s the pine-like foliage, the loose shape, or those stunning yellow flowers that burst out like fireworks.
🌿 Persoonia pinifolia
– Grows to around 2–3m tall
– Loves well-drained soil and sun to part shade
– Native, bird-attracting, and beautifully textural year-round
One of those quiet achievers that gives a little something in every season.

Water In The Garden

In this small Berwick courtyard, I’ve designed a water feature to add calm, movement, and connection.

As a parent, one of my quiet joys is watching my kids interact with water in a garden—listening, touching, imagining.
Here’s why water features are more than just decoration.

Curious? Comment ‘waterfeature’ if you’d like to explore what could work in your garden.

Thinking about an outdoor kitchen?

Here are a few dos and don’ts I always consider when designing a cookspace outside.
Swipe through, save for later, and if you’re planning one—drop your questions or thoughts in the comments!

Are you quietly pondering your garden plans too? 🤔🌿
Winter is often a wonderful time to plan ahead for those summer projects.

If you start designing now, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in Spring — with:
✅ Designs locked in
✅ Quotes lined up
✅ Council approvals (if needed) already sorted
✅ And space booked in with the right landscapers

I work with clients on design, quote sourcing, and project coordination — so the process is smooth and not rushed.

🌱 I’ve got a handful of winter consult spots open — and I’d love to help you grow something amazing.

Comment “SPRING” below if you’d like more info.
Or send a DM if you’re ready to get started.

Breynia cernua ‘Ironstone Range’ is a great Aussie native alternative to Loropetalum ‘China Pink’. Its warm coppery tones add soft contrast to the garden year-round, growing to around 2m tall.
Plant in a sunny to partly shaded spot with protection from heavy frost. It’s a little cold-sensitive, so in Melbourne you might notice some leaf drop during colder months — but it usually bounces back well.
For a better photo of this plant check out website.

A small project I designed recently and was constructed by . The client (who, on the odd occasion, would serenade us with song and poetry 😂) wanted a cactus/succulent/native garden. I think combo kinda works.

I captured this magnificent Cassinia leptocephala at the Cranbourne botanical gardens. This dainty native shrub grows to about 3m in height. It naturally grows in NSW forests, so it is quite shade tolerate. Flowers throughout summer.

Upright ironbark sleeper and corten steel retaining wall running along a cypress pine boardwalk. Such a striking entry to this coastal home.
🛠 .landscapes