About me
Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Katerina moved to the UK, where she initially pursued a successful career in fundraising and science, earning a PhD. In 2020, she retrained at the British Academy of Garden Design, launching her own studio in South East London the following year.
Katerina’s upbringing has shaped her connection to nature and informs much of her design philosophy. As a first-generation Greek-Australian, her parents’ move from Greece to Australia offered her a unique childhood. “I grew up with vegetables in the garden, a multitude of fruit trees, fresh eggs from the chickens, beehives for all that fresh honey, and space to play our childhood games. My parents brought Greece to an Adelaide suburban garden.”
Katerina’s designs are grounded in ecological sustainability, with careful attention to material choices, permeable surfaces, and planting that supports biodiversity and endures drought conditions. Her signature style fuses natural elements with contemporary design, creating warm and timeless spaces through rich textures and geometric patterns.
Her approach to garden design is deeply influenced by her Australian upbringing and Greek heritage. She focuses on creating gardens that address the pressing need for climate adaptation in the UK by drawing inspiration from both Mediterranean and Australian landscapes, Katerina crafts spaces that are not only beautiful but also resilient.
Now based in London, this deep-rooted connection to nature is a core element of her work, as she encourages others to embrace and nurture their outdoor spaces. Her ultimate goal is to inspire people to engage fully with their gardens, transforming their initial desire for low-maintenance spaces into a love for hands-on care. “If I’ve been able to take someone on a journey from asking for a ‘low maintenance’ garden to one where they’re out there clearing weeds, pruning, growing their own vegetables, teaching their children, watching wildlife, and enjoying their outdoor space, then I’ve achieved something.”
My Approach
Whether you’ve inherited a neglected garden, find your needs evolving, or simply feel the urge to nurture your outdoor space, the task can seem daunting. I believe that every garden has untapped potential, waiting to be discovered through a process of observation, learning, and interpretation.
If you dream of a garden that brings joy, pride, and relaxation – one that perfectly suits your needs, connects you with nature, and adds value to your property – then a garden designer like myself can turn that vision into reality. The gardens I design are unique, tailored to their location, and offer a sanctuary for escape, relaxation, and enjoyment.
From initial conception to the finishing touches, I take care of every step in designing and project managing your new garden. I collaborate with skilled landscapers to bring the design to life, and I personally handpick all the plants to ensure a bespoke service that creates a dream garden – one that’s personal, practical, and perfect for you. Gardens should be seen as an extension to our homes and by crafting spaces that fit in with your life, gardens become areas that are enjoyed by all.
“We worked with Katerina on the design of our back garden following an extensive house renovation and are absolutely delighted with the results. Katerina listened to our brief to connect our kitchen with the gazebo so the spaces flowed. We’re thrilled that we got everything we asked for and an overall effect that surpassed the high expectations we had for the garden. We also used Katerina to project manage the landscaping and planting for us which we highly recommend if, like us, you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing and/or little time to get involved in the details as these are so important to get it right.”
‘Marie & Martin’
