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A Garden Where Life Returned
“We felt embarrassed to invite guests. We barely used the garden ourselves.”
— the first words I heard from the homeowners.
The space around the house was not working — neither visually nor functionally.
The garden was fully exposed to the road, lacked relaxation areas, required high irrigation costs, and did not invite life — neither for adults nor for children.
The goal was not just to renovate the garden, but to create a comfortable, private, and aesthetically refined space where the family would once again want to spend time, host guests, and enjoy everyday living.
— the first words I heard from the homeowners.
The space around the house was not working — neither visually nor functionally.
The garden was fully exposed to the road, lacked relaxation areas, required high irrigation costs, and did not invite life — neither for adults nor for children.
The goal was not just to renovate the garden, but to create a comfortable, private, and aesthetically refined space where the family would once again want to spend time, host guests, and enjoy everyday living.
Initial Challenges
— Dried-out lawn around the pool, fully visible from the road
— Complete lack of privacy
— Open, empty space without focal points or atmosphere
— Chaotic and unstable planting
— Flooding during rains, causing dirt on the house façade
— No shade or designated relaxation areas
— No pool shower
— High irrigation costs
— No barbecue area with a functional work surface
— Dark, uninviting garden in the evening
— Pine needle drop, difficult to maintain on the lawn
— Complete lack of privacy
— Open, empty space without focal points or atmosphere
— Chaotic and unstable planting
— Flooding during rains, causing dirt on the house façade
— No shade or designated relaxation areas
— No pool shower
— High irrigation costs
— No barbecue area with a functional work surface
— Dark, uninviting garden in the evening
— Pine needle drop, difficult to maintain on the lawn
My Approach
I developed a comprehensive garden concept focused on:
— Privacy
— Low maintenance
— Functionality
— Comfort for the entire family
— Year-round aesthetics
— Privacy
— Low maintenance
— Functionality
— Comfort for the entire family
— Year-round aesthetics
What Was Implemented
— Installation of a new drainage system; water collection flashings added to the façade
— Selection and planting of drought-resistant ornamental species
— Gravel paving stabilized with polymer for easy cleaning of pine needles
— Creation of a tall hedge fully screening the plot from the road
— Solar-powered outdoor shower installed in the pool area — hot water year-round
— Construction of a summer kitchen with sink and worktop; service area separated with a pergola and container planting
— Fruit garden planted on the lower slope: lemons, plums, avocado, mango, and aromatic herbs
— Wooden decking near the house, pergola installation, electrical and lighting setup — creating a perfect space for relaxation and a home office
— High-quality artificial lawn installed — no irrigation or maintenance required
— 12V landscape lighting system — soft, energy-efficient, and атмосферic
— Selection and planting of drought-resistant ornamental species
— Gravel paving stabilized with polymer for easy cleaning of pine needles
— Creation of a tall hedge fully screening the plot from the road
— Solar-powered outdoor shower installed in the pool area — hot water year-round
— Construction of a summer kitchen with sink and worktop; service area separated with a pergola and container planting
— Fruit garden planted on the lower slope: lemons, plums, avocado, mango, and aromatic herbs
— Wooden decking near the house, pergola installation, electrical and lighting setup — creating a perfect space for relaxation and a home office
— High-quality artificial lawn installed — no irrigation or maintenance required
— 12V landscape lighting system — soft, energy-efficient, and атмосферic
Results (10 Months After Planting)
✔ Full privacy and a sense of protection
✔ Clearly zoned garden for relaxation, play, and entertaining
✔ Significant reduction in irrigation and maintenance costs
✔ Cozy atmosphere both day and evening
✔ A space used and enjoyed every day
The project was completed within a tight timeline — the homeowners were preparing for a family celebration with 70 guests, which they wanted to host in their new garden.
Today, this garden is the heart of the home.
✔ Clearly zoned garden for relaxation, play, and entertaining
✔ Significant reduction in irrigation and maintenance costs
✔ Cozy atmosphere both day and evening
✔ A space used and enjoyed every day
The project was completed within a tight timeline — the homeowners were preparing for a family celebration with 70 guests, which they wanted to host in their new garden.
Today, this garden is the heart of the home.
Client Feedback
"Before, we were embarrassed to invite guests and hardly used the garden.
Now we happily host family celebrations, welcome friends, and truly enjoy our space.
The garden turned out beautiful and very comfortable."
Now we happily host family celebrations, welcome friends, and truly enjoy our space.
The garden turned out beautiful and very comfortable."
Planning a new garden or renovating an existing one?
Tell me about your property and the project you have in mind. I will recommend the most appropriate way to approach it.
Request a Quote I create gardens that become a place of well-being for the family
Svetlana Kolpak Sabirova (Shibanova)
I have been designing private gardens since 2005. I live and work in Marbella on the Costa del Sol and undertake projects both in Spain and internationally.
Three things matter equally to me in every project: how the garden looks, how it will be used and how it will function technically five or ten years from now.
I begin every project with a personal site visit. I need to see the land, understand the light and levels, listen to the client and understand how they intend to use the space.
For me, a good garden is not simply decoration around a house. It is a space that is genuinely used — in the morning and evening, with family and guests, or simply as a place to spend time outdoors.
I begin every project with a personal site visit. I need to see the land, understand the light and levels, listen to the client and understand how they intend to use the space.
For me, a good garden is not simply decoration around a house. It is a space that is genuinely used — in the morning and evening, with family and guests, or simply as a place to spend time outdoors.
Landscape design projects in Marbella, Estepona and the Costa del Sol
For more than twenty years, I have designed private gardens for villas, residential developments and terraces in Spain and internationally. Every project responds to a specific property, architecture, climate and way of using the outdoor space.
Planning a new garden or renovating an existing one?
Book a free consultation or request a personalized quote with no obligation.
Request a Quote 
© 2026 Svetlana Kolpak
Created with care by the viakaizen.es team
Created with care by the viakaizen.es team