Passion for design shines through

Eva Porter has transformed a blank canvas at Wights Mountain into a stunning haven.

The Albany Creek landscape architect, who founded Porter Designs in 2013, says being able to plan gardens while a home was being built on the 2ha property gave her the opportunity to create a design that framed the sweeping views.

The result is a series of “rooms”, each with its own purpose, and plantings that perfectly complement the breathtaking vistas.

“It was just a clear block – there was just bare compacted earth when I first came, and the house was still being built,” says Eva, who won the Young Entrepreneur Excellence Award at the Moreton Bay Business Excellence and Innovation Awards in 2018.

“I definitely knew where the views were as it was being built. I would go inside to frame the views.”

Each of the plants has been chosen with future growth in mind, to ensure they complement, rather than block, the views.

Making the most of the views

The journey to the home begins through a copse of towering pine trees that line the driveway, transporting you to a glorious country garden haven that feels removed from the world.

Eva added moisture-tolerant river birch along a sand-coloured driveway that softens the approach to the home and leads to a formal garden with Japanese buxus hedges, travertine tiled pathway and a sprawling lawn lined with cobblestones creating an impressive entry.

“I loved how the property was encased in the mountains and then a long arrival point through the trees.”

Eva says the owners wanted a palate of purples and whites for their gardens, including lavender.

“The garden beds are around the perimeter to create crisp lines, but we haven’t planted anything that will grow too tall, so you’ll have that view of the mountains.

“We’ve kept the garden quite simple in design as well, so we could complement the view.”

Planting to suit the soil

She overcame lavender’s aversion to wet soil by using large pots with well-drained soil as a feature, then turned to more water tolerant plants for surrounding garden beds.

“We’ve used Mexican sage, which is a salvia, and Mexican heather, as well as butterfly bush, Society garlic and azaleas – the client loves azaleas.”

The panorama at the rear of the property is equally impressive, with a neighbouring dam providing a breathtaking backdrop for a serene swimming pool.

“We have grass around the pool to cool down the space, but it’s not very nice to walk into the pool on grass, so we’ve used paving to match the alfresco area.

“And then there’s the firepit overlooking the dam - in a country property you have the opportunity to have a massive firepit.”

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A spring in her step

Eva Porter was destined to have a career immersed in creativity.

Had fate not intervened, it might have been in fashion or interior design.

Instead, the Albany Creek resident found herself combining elements of both as a landscape architect, creating outdoor “rooms” in her gardens and immersing herself in the textures and colours of nature.

“I put landscaping just to get into uni and my OP wasn’t high enough for interior design or fashion,” The Hills and Districts Chamber of Commerce member says.

“I kind of just fell into it.

“Interior design was one of my minors at uni and I learnt that the designs really only stay fresh for about 10 years.

“But landscaping grows and changes over time.

“I discovered that I loved plants and the textures of plants and being outside creating beautiful exteriors.

“I fell in love with it and the people are wonderful and very down to earth.

“I also really love the element of creating habitat for wildlife and the ecological aspect.”

Driven to succeed

Eva established her own business – Porter Designs – when she was 21, launching it when she was 22 because she couldn’t find a job.

“I was also freelancing for companies – they couldn’t employ anyone, but they had money for a freelancer, so I tapped into that market,” she says.

“In my second year of business I had a trial to work for a landscape architecture company but I didn’t get the job because I was a woman and they didn’t think I could work with men, which was a weird excuse.

“Ironically, it was a woman who told me that. I didn’t think that stuff still really happened – not that it was reflective of the industry, just that firm.”

Eva says the experience spurred her to take her own business seriously and in the years since, she’s built a loyal clientele designing beautiful outdoor spaces for private homes, schools and churches, and forged firm friendships within the landscape design industry.

“I think being a landscape architect you work with nature and you like nature, and that kind of goes into your spirit as a person.

“It’s a very kind industry – and I’ve made an effort to make it a kind industry through my work with the Landscape Design Institute.

“We have lots of catch-ups and a lot of our members are small business owners and we talk about issues so we have that support.

“It’s always really good to have that supportive environment – though we’re technically competitors, we’re all different.

“I think that’s unique in a way – we like to help each other out.”