Here at the House; talking about the things that bring us joy is a massive part of what we do. So it was our pleasure to hear from one of our garden design clients (and Friend of the House), author, Katherine Slee about the importance of having her outside space redesigned. It was even more fabulous that she kindly offered to write a blog about the experience……
The Secret Garden Within: using nature to ignite creativity
As a child, I was drawn to the outdoors, where I would spend hours making up stories woven from sunlight and shadows. One of my most cherished books was The Secret Garden – I loved the thought that just beyond an ivy-covered wall or beneath a tangled branch, there might be a doorway to another world.
After a short-lived career in investment banking, I shifted gears to become a stay-at-home mum and quickly found myself feeling boxed in by the four walls of my own home. Life suddenly revolved around raising two little ones, and nearly every room seemed crafted for practicality, not joy or creativity.
When my children started school, I suddenly found myself with hours to fill, and it was my grandmother who nudged me to finally write down the stories I’d been carrying around in my head. What began as a hesitant scribble on a blank page turned into years of grit, patience, and a relentless parade of rejection letters. Yet somehow, that first book finally found its way into the world.
What I remember most about the journey is how inspiration can strike at the strangest times; one idea for a story popped up, of all places, while I was brushing my teeth. Even now, whenever I hit a stubborn wall in my writing, I’ve learned to simply close my laptop, lace up my shoes, and head out for a walk.
There are countless studies about the benefits of spending time in nature – trees release invisible clouds of beneficial microorganisms that help melt away our stress. Nature has a way of grounding us, of quieting the noise within and offering a kind of natural medicine that rejuvenates the spirit in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
Of course, trying to write whilst walking is no easy feat – so imagine if you could work in a secret garden of your very own…
Our garden used to be purely practical – a patio, a stretch of lawn, and flowerbeds lining three sides. With my father’s help, I planted a few trees and shrubs and tried my hand at growing tomatoes and strawberries in a modest greenhouse. Yet despite these efforts, the garden lacked any real charm; it was simply… there. It felt neither inviting to spend time in nor inspiring to look at, just a collection of plants with no story of its own.
A casual remark to my husband about adding an outdoor kitchen – just a thought on how we might make better use of the space – quickly sparked a flurry of ideas. Before long, we were in talks with several companies, and most of the suggestions we received were practical but lacked imagination. When I met with Alex and Samuel, it was clear they understood my vision: I didn’t just want a garden to look at – I wanted a space to truly live in, a place with warmth and soul.
Now, the garden feels like a world unto itself, a place where each corner invites its own experience yet flows seamlessly into the next. The different levels and layers of planting create a sense of discovery, while the outdoor kitchen nestles quietly in its own alcove, framed by climbing roses and a young wisteria that will, in time, cascade over the pergola in a fragrant canopy.
Right now, I’m sitting inside at the kitchen table, watching as golden leaves drift down from the oak tree and a fox makes an unhurried path across the lawn. Autumn’s colours are slowly giving way to winter’s bare branches, yet the garden hums with life and structure in a way it never did before. As a writer working from home, I spend long hours alone, much of it lost in daydreams. Being able to immerse myself in a story, whether writing within my secret garden or simply gazing out at it from the warmth of the house, has been a game changer for my mental health. The space has been transformed into my sanctuary – a constant source of inspiration and calm.
Editor’s Note:
Katherine is an author from South East London and lives with her husband and two children. You can find all of Katherine’s books on Amazon.