The relationship between architecture, horticulture and design is an ongoing source of inspiration for Peta Donaldson.

It was the designer's desire to explore how the trio of disciplines influenced each other that led her to establish BLAC.Design (Balancing Landscape Architecture and Construction) in November 2015.

Since then, the design studio's creations have adorned several double-page spreads in some of Australia premier lifestyle magazines, won gold at the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show, and been selected to feature on ABC’s Dream Gardens.

She said the journey of her business had been shaped by creativity, structure, and technique.

"Creatively, I have naturally cemented my aesthetic which I can lend to various styles of garden," she said. 

"Structurally, my initial intent was more people, more projects, more reward, but with this follows more responsibility, more problems and less time.

"After many internal conflicts and being aware of what drives my happiness, I finally feel very comfortable with where BLAC is currently.

"Technically, I have invested heavily in some very powerful programs which not only produce incredible rendered 3D images of the designs, but it allows me to produce better designs overall."

70-bay-road-mount-martha-16f694f3-0403-49a7-baca-da2e9babd859.jpg

The exterior of 70 Bay Road, Mount Martha. As seen on Luxury List.

Based in Mount Martha, Victoria, Blac. Design Studio specialises in garden, pool and exterior design and styling. 

Clients are offered an integrated approach that begins with design development and concludes with ongoing maintenance to preserve the integrity of the design.

Ms Donaldson said every design considered the tangible and intangible elements to improve the quality of a life outside. 

"There is no greater satisfaction than my clients telling me that I have changed the away they live," she said.

"When at home, we spend up to 98 per cent of the time inside, so if I can encourage a life outside, I have achieved my goal.

"This is the catalyst for the consideration I put into each design." 

Ms Donaldson's work has been enjoyed by more than just her clients this year, with the landscaped gardens of the Beechwood farmhouse in Mount Martha featuring in a 16-page spread of House & Garden magazine, as well as on 9LIFE’s Luxury Homes Revealed.

Her other highlights for 2019 have included a trip across the Tasman to New Zealand, which she described as "particularly inspiring".

"Inspiring landscapes and architecture are the strongest driving forces behind my creativity," she said.

"The quality of the projects on the drawing board this year has been next level and I'm fortunate in the sense that I get to work alongside some of Australia’s best architects and interior design firms.

"An emerging common thread with my projects is that I have the most incredible, down to earth, inspiring, courageous, trusting and gracious clients I could ever hoped for." 

She may make a living out of improving her clients' gardens but Ms Donaldson said she would also like to one day invite people into her own.

"I have never had an open garden," she said.

"I have been waiting ten years for our home to be renovated. 

"Once that is finally complete, I will be able to fulfil that dream."

Click here to view the BLAC. Design website.

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