Every garden tells a story.
I design calm, contemporary spaces rooted in natural planting and traditional craft, created to feel settled and made to belong for the long term.

RESIDENTIAL garden DESIGns in somerset & beyond

Old Sodbury, Gloucestershire · 2024

Frome, Somerset · 2025-26

Frome, Somerset · 2025

Hemington, Somerset· 2025-26

Shaftesbury, Dorset · 2022

Bath, Somerset · 2025-26

Aerial view of a backyard with a large lawn, garden beds, paved walkways, a patio with outdoor furniture, and surrounding trees and landscaped areas.

the story-led design journey

Every project begins with listening. I take time to understand your lifestyle, your vision, and the way you want to feel in your space.
From complete home design to thoughtful details, my goal is to create exteriors that are both functional and deeply personal.

  • We begin by making space, inside and out. That might mean trimming back overgrown plants, clearing old garden features, or just figuring out what’s working and what isn’t.

    At the same time, we take a moment to think about what you’re ready to let go of mentally (thinking maintenance) and what still matters to you. Simple questions and relaxed chats help us find what you want to keep, refresh, or release before moving forward.

  • Once your space is cleared, we take time to explore what truly feels like you. Through relaxed conversations and simple exercises, we look for the things that naturally bring you comfort and joy.

    This might include favourite childhood memories, meaningful places you’ve visited, or the colors, textures, and landscapes that make you feel calm and connected. We call this pattern mapping, it just means spotting the things that keep showing up in your life, the clues that reveal what you naturally love and need.

    When we bring these pieces together, we start to see the outline of your garden’s story, the personal touches and feelings that will guide every design choice.

  • Now we take everything we’ve learned about you and start turning it into a plan. We do this through a friendly visualisation and design workshop, a relaxed, creative session perfect for couples or families to dream together.

    It’s a time to share what matters most, how you want to spend time in your garden, what feelings you want it to bring, and how each person hopes to use the space. Maybe a cosy spot for morning coffee, a place for kids to explore, or a quiet corner to unwind.

    This is also the perfect moment to look at your seasonal calendar, noting events, anniversaries, and meaningful dates that could be woven into your garden’s rhythm. It’s a lovely chance to dream up new traditions too, maybe planting something special each year or marking a family milestone in the landscape.

    From these shared ideas, we shape a design that blends heart and practicality using light, layout, plants, and colour to create a garden that feels personal, balanced, and alive.

  • This is when your garden starts to come to life. We turn the plan into action, bringing in plants, materials, lighting, and structure, all chosen to suit both you and your space.

    The work can happen all at once or in stages, depending on your budget and schedule. Spreading the process out often makes it easier and more manageable, letting you enjoy each phase as it unfolds.

    We keep things organised with simple plans and regular check-ins, making sure everything runs smoothly and stays on track. The result is a garden that grows naturally over time — beautiful, practical, and perfectly suited to your life.

Diane Samways sitting outdoors on a wooden bench, smiling and holding a beige hat, with lush green foliage in the background.
Get in Touch

Let’s Begin

Every project starts with a conversation.
Share your vision, and let’s create something
meaningful together.