ELEGANTLY CONCEIVED SPACES

At the heart of Lisa Stafford Design is a belief that gardens should be a source of joy - places to relax, connect, and be inspired by the natural world. Since the 1980s, Lisa has been creating thoughtfully conceived outdoor spaces that invite people in, sweep them up, and take them on a journey.

“I want people to love their gardens for themselves - and to share them with others.”

Every project begins with this vision: gardens designed not just to function beautifully, but to stir the imagination and enhance daily life.

EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

With a Bachelor of Science (Horticulture) from the University of Melbourne, Lisa’s career began in partnership with leading Melbourne firms Eco Landscape Design and Eckersley Stafford Design. Over the past decade, she has worked independently on a wide range of projects — from intimate courtyards to expansive rural estates, public spaces, and everything in between.

Based in the Otway Ranges, Lisa works across southern Victoria including Warrnambool, Camperdown, Colac, Kyneton, Woodend, Geelong and the Melbourne metro area.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Lisa’s approach is collaborative, practical and creative. Each project is tailored to its environment and the needs of its clients — always with a sensitivity to how people live and how gardens grow.

Designs are considered holistically:

  • Site layout and building placement

  • Entry and access

  • Outdoor living and service areas

  • Built elements: sheds, pools, pergolas, water features, lighting

  • Planting schemes that reflect place and thrive over time

Whether designing a sprawling rural garden or a compact urban space, Lisa aims to create landscapes that are both enduring and alive with personality.

RECOGNITION & PUBLICATIONS

Lisa’s work has been featured in Australian Vogue Living, Australian House & Garden, and in the books Living in the Garden – Australian Style (Lothian, 1993) and Outside – the Gardens of Rick Eckersley & Lisa Stafford (Penguin, 2005).

Her own garden, a two-hectare property maintained with her family, continues to serve as a source of inspiration and grounded knowledge.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

  • Every project begins with an on-site meeting to understand the space, its potential, and your aspirations. This forms the foundation for a tailored design response.

  • Following site analysis, a sketch plan is developed and refined into a final layout, with detailed plant and material specifications — ready for quoting and implementation.

  • Lisa can recommend trusted contractors and oversee works to ensure the design intent is faithfully realised.

  • From plant sourcing to expert advice, Lisa offers guidance grounded in decades of horticultural experience.

Ready to transform your garden into a space of beauty, balance and purpose? Let’s begin the conversation.