“We dreamt of a garden molded after a traditional Malay castle very long time ago complete with elegant traditional structures that we can enjoy the serenity as if we are in a country side. Everything is green, tranquility surfaces with the sound of splashing water and natural setting. “Lin, the garden owner explains.

The concept of the garden is modern tropical garden with a lot of natural element décor and contemporary designs. To make this a reality, the designer used old railway wooden sleepers so that the garden looks more natural and rustic together with small granite stones.  Basically the garden that surrounded the “castle” was beautifully decorated with the presence of a water garden pond and a bridge across it. Trees with dense green foliage became the main garden settings. The designer tried to mix and match between the hardscape and softscape so that everything looked balanced and natural.

Selection of big trees is also important to build the character of the pond. Four coconut trees brought from its original location were planted to add style to the garden. The bending shape of the coconut trees towards the pond looked very natural as in the original habitat (by the beach).

The pond which covered almost half of the garden area located in front and at the sides of the house had a very strong influence on the design of the softscape. With a meter depth, the pond began from back side of the garden and looks like it joined with the verandah. This odd shape pond was suitable to the corner lot. The pond located in front of the house was decorated with the old railway wooden sleepers and arranged in a shape of a deck. This three meter deck extended from the patio as an open space for family activities in the evening. The mixture of hardscape structures made of hard wood and greenery trees invites calmness of your soul. Everything looks very well blended.

The owner worked hard to add ornamentals and water plants to cheer up the environment. The plants chosen were limited and easy to take care so that they won’t jeopardize the pond’s beauty and the Koi fish inside it. Among the water plants are cat-tails, and water orchid. A giant oyster shell bought at Java Island, Indonesia, were placed besides the pond and acted as a very effective focal point in the garden.

To the owner, every aspects of the landscape, structures, element of straight vertical lines, and horizontal are important. Without these elements, no matter how big the budget is, your dream garden is difficult be the perfect one. The best matching between the hardscape and softscape as well as the unique ornamental addition, this garden really ties you legs down because you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

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Resources;
(1) Laman Impiana Oct 2005