In the heart of West Leederville, a surprising tropical paradise flourishes behind a deceptively simple facade. The home of Cheryl and Roger Hughes presents a lesson in maximising space, where a small garden has been transformed into a lush, resort-style retreat that provides a daily escape.
From Brief to Lush Reality
Five years ago, in 2021, landscape designer Andrea Whitely received a clear brief: to create a tropical resort-style garden for the busy family of five. Cheryl Hughes wanted a space that felt like a permanent holiday, a place to reset after long days. The renovation was completed in December 2020, and the result has matured into a deeply personal sanctuary.
"It's my happy place," Cheryl says. "I have breakfast or a coffee there at least every morning by the pool." The initial reaction from visitors is almost universal surprise. "Wow — I did not expect that," is the common refrain, which Cheryl recounts with pride.
Design Elements of a Compact Paradise
The garden's design cleverly incorporates features that evoke a coastal, relaxed sensibility. A pale aqua pool is paired with Fremantle Stone travertine, laid in a classic French pattern, creating a cool, beachside feel perfect for barefoot living. True to their beach-loving hearts, the couple selected materials that echo the Western Australian coastline while maintaining elegance.
Planting is intentionally abundant and generous. The space bursts with heliconias, philodendrons, stephanotis, and striped dianella, establishing a strong tropical character. A mature Murraya paniculata hedge serves a dual purpose, providing shelter from easterly winds while ensuring structure and privacy. Roger Hughes takes charge of maintaining this hedge and the lush buffalo lawn at the front verge.
A Passion for Plants and Community
Cheryl's passion for horticulture is unmistakable, particularly in her impressive collection of frangipanis. She cultivates nine different varieties, including the beloved 'Singapore White'. Many of these plants have been sourced through her local Buy Nothing group, a community effort she wholeheartedly embraces. "I love Buy Nothing," she states.
Originally from Windsor in the UK, where she trained as a food scientist, Cheryl reflects on her Australian life. "We didn't really have a garden at our home there," she notes. "Here, I love seeing how each tropical flower forms and the incredible variety of plants we can grow."
The biophilic design extends indoors, where a collection of tropical houseplants creates a seamless connection with nature. For Cheryl, gardening is crucial for her mental health, describing it as calming, grounding, and joyful.
Finishing touches include glass pool fencing to preserve sightlines in the compact space and all-white pots for a cohesive, designer look, inspired by Cheryl's favourite magazine, House & Garden.
The final result is a garden that acts as a permanent escape—a private resort where friends gather, tropical fragrances fill the air, and everyday life slows down, one frangipani bloom at a time.
