Betterliving Summer 2019

Snails slithering across the garden
path are a relatively rare sight
in Dubai, unless you have a
lush, European style garden like
Karen Pissarra, whose yard is a calm
and nurturing space for little creatures
and humans alike. From South Africa,
Karen, of Dubai-based interior design
studio Design K (@designk___), bought
her home in The Springs in April 2017
and renovated it from the inside out.
“We searched for two years before
finding the right property,” she says.
“We really wanted a north facing
garden so that we’d have dappled
sunlight in the garden and streaming
into the house for most of the day.”
A woman who prefers to stay in the
shade, one of Karen’s top priorities was
choosing a mixture of plants and trees
that would offer ample coverage.
“I designed the garden with a fresh
and minimalistic look in mind but
turned to Heather Drake of Gardening
Angels for advice on selecting the
plants in terms of sun direction,” she
says. Sticking with green was the MO,
with not a colourful flower in sight. “I
played with lots of different shades.”
Fully irrigated, the garden is
brimming with plants that offer plenty
of ground coverage, and surrounding
hedges that are yet to reach their
full height – all bought from Warsan
plant nursery. The matte light grey
tiles, from RAK Ceramics, are placed
in a staggered layout for a more
contemporary feel while the deck has
been raised to provide an elevated
lounge area complete with designer
outdoor furniture and accessories
from Purity Dubai (@puritydxb) “It’s
my go-to for outdoor furniture in the
emirate,” she says. The sunloungers are
by Ethimo while the rest is by Paola
Lenti. “We love spending time here
with friends,” says Karen. “It’s a place
in which we feel we can fully unwind.”
A MIXTURE OF
ALTERNANTHERA
GROUND COVER,
DORANTA, JED, OLIVE
TREES AND FICUS HEDGES
SHOWCASE DIFFERENT
TONES OF GREEN
KAREN’S TOP TIPS FOR CREATING A LUSH GARDEN IN THE UAE…
Consult an expert on the plants that will grow and thrive in your garden, so you know that what you’re spending won’t
go to waste. Bear in mind that what works well in one garden may not work in another, so take into account the amount
of light and shade you get and whether the garden will be irrigated before making your choice. The little touches can
make a big difference. The lighter garden sand that is commonly used in gardens in Dubai can appear dry, so I sourced
darker sand for the bedding as it looks moister and helps the garden to look healthier. It’s also important to consider
lighting, so you can get the maximum enjoyment out of your space once the sun goes down. The uplights below the tree
trunks are always a good look and there are many styles of string lights that you can use to add a touch of whimsy.
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