Touch of Opulence inspires Unitec student’s garden design
Visitors looking to be inspired by a touch of elegance at the upcoming Auckland Flower Show would do well to check out
Kate Frazerhurst’s sleek courtyard garden.
The Unitec Diploma in Landscape Design student is an entrant in the Courtyard Garden section with her “Powder Room”
garden featuring a luxurious bath and chandelier as its centrepiece, and other opulent features arranged within a series
of organically curved spaces.
“The brief was to create an urban paradise in an inner city courtyard and you can’t get more luxurious than an outdoor
Powder Room,” says Kate. “I wanted to take elements from an extravagant interior space, and translate them into a
contemporary outdoor courtyard”.
Kate will find out on November 20 if the judges like her luxury garden along with the public who will be able to view
her garden, and others at the show, until November 23.
“When you’re in a competition like this, you’re always aiming for a gold medal, especially with all the hard work that
has been put in by so many people helping out with the garden.
“But I’ve enjoyed every moment, and if my garden gets people talking, then that’s a great thing for myself and my
business”.
Kate’s Powder Room garden also features a sunken retreat area where you can relax after your bath, an outdoor shower on
a ‘wallpaper’ backdrop, a living shag-pile carpet, and pebble tile flooring to add further opulence.
The use of pine timber slats is in keeping with the sustainability component required from entrants of the courtyard
garden section and adds a textured, natural element to the courtyard.
Kate says she has been fortunate to have the backing of some great sponsors and product, including the organically
shaped bath, which is one of the main features of her design.
“I think the bath really sets the scene for the whole garden. Its pure white form contrasts against the dark stained
slatted timber and blanket of lush dark foliage so I’m really happy with it.
“I guess the most challenging part for me has been working within a relatively tight budget and an even tighter
timeframe, but I’m confident it will be completed to a high standard”.
Lecturer Penny Cliffin says Kate’s design is innovative and expects it to do well at the flower show.
“I think it’s a very appropriate response to the design brief, it’s very sleek and very urban and will be very popular
with visitors.
“We all like to dream of luxury and Kate definitely achieves that with this garden.”
Kate will be joined in the Auckland Flower Show by another Unitec garden designed by fellow students Chris Davis, Jordan
Draffin and Melanie Gaskin.
Unitec’s Diploma of Landscape Design students have always done well at flower shows. During last year’s Ellerslie Flower
Show, its Landscape design students won three gold medals and hopes to continue that tradition with the current crop of
designers.
ENDS