By Omeshinie Naidoo
Unlike interiors, gardens improve with age, which is why garden-design expert Jan Blok returned to some of the gardens he designed more than 10 years ago to feature them in his new book, A Sense of Space.
Many of them are in KwaZulu-Natal and, as good design goes, they are not fashion statements, but timeless masterpieces, in keeping with the character of the homes they belong to.
Blok's signature style of geometry and symmetry is evident in many of the gardens, photographed for the book by Kim Thunder.
The words, by Lindsay Gray, provide the reader with insights into Blok's work - often explaining a number of clever techniques he's used to create a sense of space.
For example, in a sea-facing Bluff home, the illusion of space is created with a linear deck that pulls the eye towards the horizon and a rim-flow pool that is an almost perfect match in colour to that of the ocean.
In Kloof, a formal garden is divided into several charming spaces on different levels, creating the feeling that it is larger than it actually is.
In Westville, four gardens belonging to the adjacent homes of one close-knit family have visual continuity across the space, while also ensuring privacy. Here, dramatic features provide a sense of balance.
The book also features many Berea homes, where an eclectic mix of architectural styles co-exist, from the Victorian to Edwardian and art deco.
There is also a rooftop garden - a collage of striking form, texture and vibrant colour grounded by the natural elements of wood, metal, stone and water, as well as a grand, historic Berea home.
The book features idyllic KZN Midlands farms, country gardens and much, much more.
In each instance an effort is made to contextualise the garden by way of explaining the acquisition of the home and its owners' vision for it. Blok also explains his selection of plants in relation to the regional climate, as well as the garden's layout and theme.
Any KZN homeowner would do well to display this book on their coffee table, but its true value is in the wealth of reader-friendly information it offers.