Well-known Auckland landscape designer and author Xanthe White has created many award-winning designs during her career. With a focus on reflecting the owner’s personality and needs in their gardens, she believes “the more it looks like I don’t exist, the more successful a design has been.”

Her transformation of this blank back garden into a private courtyard shows her ability to create an outdoor family sanctuary, right on the city’s fringe. Although small, White’s clever design has been so well thought out that there is ample room for all the families needs. The garden is in-keeping with White’s artistic flare, being contemporary and crisp, with a clever mixture of natives and subtropical plants.