People

Beck Colechin

Beck grew up next door to one of Sydney’s precious nature reserves, which was her play space and escape. Her childhood love of nature influenced her later choice to study horticulture and landscape design. Today, the bush remains her source of rejuvenation.

Since graduation Beck has worked on a wide range of projects, most recently as lead designer for Garden Life. Over the years, she has developed a deep understanding of construction details to complement her plant knowledge and a thorough grasp of all aspects of the approval process from council to Land and Environment Court. 

Beck thrives on discovery and the process of combining a client’s aesthetic with her own knowledge to create something special.



Richard Unsworth

Richard has loved plants and gardens since he was a kid growing up in semi-rural Yorkshire. After moving to Sydney in the early 1990s and completing formal studies in horticulture and design, Richard established Garden Life. This garden design and retail business has thrived for more than 20 years, offering garden design services alongside a curated selection of plants and pots sourced from around the globe.

Richard has developed a reputation for beautiful gardens that both respect the client's dreams and respond to the site's opportunities, whether an expansive property, large commercial project or tiny residential courtyard. 

Richard is a passionate advocate for gardening and loves sharing that passion through contributions to magazines, and as the author of two books, Garden Life and The City Gardener. When he is not bringing his expertise to other people’s gardens, he is most often found working on restoring and regenerating his bush garden at Pittwater.



Jarrod Kilner

Our senior designer, Jarrod, has worked in the landscape industry for two decades, since qualifying with a diploma in landscape design in 2004. Previously working in Auckland, Vancouver and Toronto, he has enjoyed a wide range of experience in both public and multi-residential private gardens.

He gets his kicks from producing wonderfully documented designs; he rightly says, ‘God is in the details. I think excellent documentation is essential for a great concept to translate to a great garden’.

His favourite plant is the sago palm, reminding him of his grandfather, and his first garden memory is of gardening with his grandmother.

He’s recently discovered a love for photography, riding his scooter, drinking coffee and reading action/thriller novels.

Sarah Shum

Our resident Landscape Architect, Sarah, graduated with honours over two years ago and is our most recent addition to the team.

Her first garden memory is caring for trees that her father planted, and she continues to nurture a lychee tree she planted as a child.

In her design work, she enjoys utilising her pen and paper skills for concepts and ideas before transferring them to digital to produce highly finished plans. Her favourite plant is Ligularia reniformis, the tractor seat plant, and particularly loves the combinations of timber and bronze. Outside of work, you can find Sarah being active, whether clambering over rocks in the gym or out in the bush.

PHILOSOPHY We listen, we bring our extensive knowledge and we advocate for the needs of the environment. Working with principles of rewilding, sustainability and sensitive design, our landscapes are thoughtfully designed for minimal impact.
SERVICES

We find our knowledge and experience provide peace of mind. Our abiding care for each client’s landscapes and the environment is shown in our meticulous, professional and thoughtful approach at every stage.

  • — Design Consultation

  • — Concept Design

  • — Town Planning + Approval

  • — Documentation + Specification

  • — Project Management

PHILOSOPHY Creating
meaningful,
joyful spaces
PHILOSOPHY

Our gardens are sustainable.

Working with principles of rewilding, sustainability and sensitive design, our landscapes are thoughtfully designed for minimal impact.


Our landscapes add value to places through a synergy with the surroundings and sustainability driving every decision.


Our gardens are established.

We bring our long experience to set a new precedent for landscape design; one that encourages a more thoughtful and natural approach. 


Our depth of knowledge allows us to understand and execute even the most complex of visions – making us an ideal partner for ambitious clients and architects alike.

Our gardens are creative.

We look beyond traditional approaches to enhance our clients’ outdoor spaces and connect people to nature.


Our creative spirit means we are always seeking new ways to improve our approach, give our clients beautiful experiences, and design timeless landscapes that will endure long after we are gone.


Our gardens are considered.

For every decision, we consider both the needs of our clients and the natural environment. Our designs are informed by an understanding of how these needs intersect.


The spaces we create are for our clients – so they must resonate with their lifestyle and aspirations. As a part of the local environment, they must also be sustainable and contribute to a positive future.