“Nothing happens by itself…it all will come your way, once you understand that you have to make it come your way by your own exertions.”
– Ben Stein
aSurround yourself…
he Arts and Craft movement had evolved into the architecture found in the Country House by the end of the 19th and start of the 20th century. An Edwardian catch phrase was A Lutyens house with a Jekyll garden . This referred to the work of Edwin Lutyens, the eminent architect and Gertrude Jekyll, gardener and garden designer. This team was the quintessential element at the peak of Arts and Craft design in Britain.
Gertrude Jekyll & Edwin Lutyens, the eminent architect
 
New Zealand architecture and horticulture was never graced with the presence of Lutyens or Jekyll. However their influence is present in designs of the period; It would be fair to say more so in the field of architecture than in gardens.

Gardens in New Zealand have largely been regarded as secondary to housing.

So often houses are designed with no regard to or consideration of the design of the surrounding garden. The gardener, or landscaper as the modern term has evolved, is called in later to try and clean up the rubble and chaos left after building has finished.

So often co-operation between gardener and architect would have resulted in an harmonious landscape befitting the building.

Circular GrilleTypically the gardens that have survived from the Arts and Craft period, or that have been restored, are on a larger scale. They would have been developed in the days before the First World War when labour was cheap and plentiful. Gardens on that scale were few and far between in New Zealand and that is still the case.

However it is possible to recreate the look of those gardens. Style Design specialises in creating the look whilst appreciating the needs of the modern lifestyle. No longer are teams of gardeners available to tend the herbaceous borders, prune and feed the roses and the myriad of other jobs that are necessary. Neither do we have the luxury of large areas of land at our disposal. Indeed the cost of land means that we should get the maximum benefit and enjoyment from any area that we are fortunate enough to own.

Allow us to create the look to complement your Arts and Craft style
aPergola
aSummer House
aSundials
 
 
aGarden Furniture - Tanalised or Cedar
e are proud to present a range of unique outdoor furniture and accessories for your garden. These items are all individually handcrafted by our team of experts. Feel free to contact us regarding purchasing or to discuss your design requirements.
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a

aStuart Griffiths

(stone mason, carver, sculptor, specialising in natural Rock walls,
landscaping-architectural and monumental)

tuart has recently returned to Dunedin from Christchurch where he was a lecturer in Sculpture at the University of Canterbury for several years, to continue developing his monumental masonry business in the Otago region. This business had its beginnings in the mid eighties when major constructions in stone masonry had all but disappeared in this part of the world.

Stuart primarily works on architectural and landscape construction projects combining modern and ancient practices in stone masonry.

Otago Basalt, Schist, and Oamaru limestone have been the predominant stone material used in these projects. This includes restoration work which is fundamentally the revitalising of existing architecture and landscape, where quality interpretation and consultation is required.

Stuart has a parallel practice in sculpture that has had him working locally, nationally and internationally.
This contemporary practice informs and often crosses seamlessly into his masonry business.

"Installing is the hard toil of garden making, placing is its pleasure"
- Ian Hamilton Finlay -

Blueskin Hotel, Evansdale - Panaramic view of three entranceways.
Design and construction with Scurrs Quarry Basalt.

Blueskin Hotel, Evansdale
- Courtyard and fireplace.
Design and construction with
Scurrs Quarry Basalt.
Dunedin Botanic Garden
- Entranceway.
Design and construction with Kokonga and Blackhead quarries Basalt.

Dunedin Botanic Gardens Entrance
Private Dunedin Garden - Staircase and retainingwalls.
Construction with Kokonga and Otago Peninsula field Basalt.

Millbrook Millhouse, Arrowtown - Entranceway.
Construction with Millbrook Schist.
Queenstown Bay - Lake wall.
Design and construction with Gibbston Schist.
Millbrook club house, Arrowtown - Building and retaining walls.
Construction with Millbrook Schist.
'Whakatipua', Arrowtown - House and garden walls, and paving.
Chlorite Schist construction
St Leonard's, Dunedin - Walls and columns.
Design and construction with Kilmog field Basalt
- St Leonard's, Dunedin - Walls and columns.
Design and construction with Kilmog field Basalt