On The Brink

While blues of sea and sky draw all eyes, an edgy swathe of lawn and sandstone grounds the view.

- Chris Pearson

Perched on a clifftop 80 metres above the ocean, this eyrie could prove a challenge for a landscape designer with an aversion to heights. But Matt Cantwell of Secret Gardens found the project in Sydney’s eastern suburbs so irresistible he quickly put aside his misgivings. That dizzying drawback was also the site’s best asset – the view was jaw dropping. “It is not often that you get to design a garden high above the ocean,” he says. “The sight stops you in your tracks. The ocean is constantly changing. On sunny days with little wind, it appears calming, friendly and sparkling. On overcast days, it is darkly menacing. It can influence or reflect your mood. Not many sites can make that claim.” Adding to the appeal, this would be the second time Matt had teamed up with Bruce Stafford Architects and the owners. “It is always exciting to work for the same client in creating a new garden for them,” he says. “While we understand their tastes, the site and the house will be different, offering a unique set of challenges.”