Principals Joby Blackman (Landscape Designer) and Carolyn Blackman (Horticulturalist) formed Vivid Design in 1996. The combined influence ensures gardens have equal emphasis on hard landscape design and planting design. Vivid design has been awarded multiple medals for design both in Australia and Internationally.
Our approach to landscape design is always contextual - the people, the architecture and surrounding environment being the major influential factors in the finished design. Our philosophy is that the gardens we design should be unique and devoid of authorship. The subtle weaving in of history, 'stories' or other more personal elements is also a particular design influence.
Vivid Design brings combined 40 years of landscape design experience, passion and horticultural expertise - focussing on the collaborative creation of individual designs; verdant spaces to enjoy life outdoors and that complement architecture for timeless results.
Our approach to landscape design is always contextual - the people, the architecture and surrounding environment being the major influential factors in the finished design. Our philosophy is that the gardens we design should be unique and devoid of authorship. The subtle weaving in of history, 'stories' or other more personal elements is also a particular design influence.
Vivid Design brings combined 40 years of landscape design experience, passion and horticultural expertise - focussing on the collaborative creation of individual designs; verdant spaces to enjoy life outdoors and that complement architecture for timeless results.
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19th GOLD Award at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. 1st 'Mark Bence Best Construction' award, of which we're especially proud. See a video of the #showgarden on youtube, thanks to bamstone. The garden was also nominated for at the Think brick awards in the 2016 Bruce Mackenzie Landscape award.
This landscape is the pattern of sound waves. RESONATE seeks to highlight the play between mass and void. We are also interested in the 'Lure' of spaces and have aimed to create opportunities to feed our fundamental desire to experience a gentle tension; over and under, in and out, up and down, noise and quiet, light and shadow.
Presented by Local Nurseries, a group of 8 of the best plant retailers around Melbourne; Acorn Nursery, Bay Road, Gardenworld, Poyntons of Essendon, Rivers of Yarrambat, Pinewood Quality Nursery, Van Loons Nursery and Warran Glen. The Gardener's Library was designed by us, constructed by Semken Landscaping, interior styling by Becsam designs.
Our gardens provide us with sanctuary and contrast to our ever-increasingly built environment. Large gardens offer increased scope for multiple elements such as pergolas, swimming pools, water features, edible/picking gardens and opportunities to create deeper garden beds which really add to the sense of generosity in a space.
Acreage calls for respect of the sense of 'place' and provide the exciting challenge of working within the context of the 'borrowed' landscape. Sometimes simplicity is called for, a gentle canvas on which the home sits and beds down into the landscape. Other times, a more dramatic juxtaposition of a highly stylised design can look amazing when 'applied' to the landscape.
Reviews (8)
Tara Lordsmith
Jan 04, 2022
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Piyush Siwach
Dec 13, 2021
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Carolyn and Joby are perhaps the most dynamic and knowledgeable duo in Melbourne, when it comes to outdoor designing and landscaping. We were convinced immediately after our first meeting that we have met someone who were knowledgeable and had a sense of artistic flair. Their designs are still appreciated by anyone who visits our home, and the garden has been complemented randomly on numerous occasions by those passing by. And they have always been responsive when help was needed during design and implementation. Can't thank them enough. They come highly recommended from us!!
David Smallwood
Aug 13, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
The Vivid Design team were very professional and provided excellent ideas and support at we redesigned our back garden. They were responsive to our goals and suggestions, and the final result was everything we could have hoped for. I would highly recommend this team.
The Vivid Design team were very professional and provided excellent ideas and support at we redesigned our back garden. They were responsive to our goals and suggestions, and the final result was everything we could have hoped for. I would highly recommend this team.
Anthea Lindquist
Jun 26, 2021
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Carolyn and Joby are the most fun, dynamic and inspirational team. We have loved every meeting and have felt heard in all our concerns and requests - they. have lovingly designed our new garden spaces (we are moving from large derelict block to fully landscaped lush garden) and been responsive to changes along the way. If you're a plant and garden lover, we highly recommend!
Andrew Triantafillou
May 23, 2021
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Carolyn and Joby design beautiful, functional and timeless gardens, we at Semken landscaping have been working alongside Vivid Design for over 20 years building some of their wonderfully designed gardens, they are very passionate and are involved with the client during the entire journey from concept, construction to completion. Highly recommended.
Paul Mizzi
May 17, 2021
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Joby and Carloyn designed our garden. It appeared on the ABC series Dream Gardens. They did a spectacular job, we’ve hosted many lunches and dinners at our place and the reaction from visitors is consistent “wow - what a garden!!”
We love their work- this is the second garden they’ve done for us. Highly highly recommend them.
We love their work- this is the second garden they’ve done for us. Highly highly recommend them.
Martin Semken
May 14, 2021
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Erin Fox
May 05, 2021
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