A Space to Dwell: From Forlorn Lawn to Italian Dream
Ever wanted to peek over the fence of an estate agent? We’ve done just that, to save you the restraining order - and we were gifted some serious garden glow-up inspo for our efforts!
At Dwell Devon, we love seeing how an outdoor space can be transformed with a bit of vision (and, in this case, a whole lot of stone hauling).
Recently, we caught up with estate agent Jack Merriott-McMillan-Duncan, who, along with his partner Craig, has turned a once-forgotten patch of lawn in Plymouth into a chic Mediterranean retreat.
This makeover is heavy duty: it features hot tubs being ousted, gnarly olive trees stealing centre stage, and piles of forgotten stone finding their forever home. But it’s proof that a garden can be sustainable, stylish, and a whole lot of fun, even if it takes a tractor or two along the way.
Olive the inspiration you need
When Jack and Craig moved in, the garden was anything but inspiring. Jack describes it as “mainly lawn, a small patio, a sunken courtyard, and not much else, unless you count the dogs.”
Enter Craig’s big idea: Mediterranean magic. The seed (pun fully intended) was planted when Jack began collecting olive trees. Then came the showstopper, a 100-year-old olive tree gifted by Craig for Jack’s 50th birthday. With its twisted trunk and centuries of character, the Italian theme basically chose itself.
Low maintenance, sun-soaked vibes, and plenty of seating to relax (rather than endless pottering) became the goal.
A holiday at home
The Lost Gardens of Heligan (above) were the muse behind this transformation. Jack and Craig adored the structure, shady seating, and watery calm of the Italian garden hidden within this oasis in the depths of Cornwall.
But instead of replicating it brick-for-brick, they gave it their own unique twist.
Crazy paving? Swapped out. Water features? Reimagined. Materials? 95% reused, recycled, or rescued. The Italian influence remained, but sustainability ran right alongside it.
Reduce, reuse, re-stone
Here’s where it gets clever. The house—once MoD-owned—came with a fully formed jungle of brambles and buried treasure: forgotten tiles, granite, slate, and more. Most people would’ve skipped them. Jack? He stacked them neatly and waited.
Fast-forward to the makeover, and every single scrap found its place:
Victorian granite blocks now support seating in the courtyard;
A three-metre slate slab is a bench (doubling as a bug hotel);
And old quarry tiles, broken pots, even a stone mullion—all woven into the design.
The effect? A garden that looks like it’s always been there and yet feels totally personal.
Heavy lifting (literally)
When your materials are this hefty, you need back-up. Cue farm neighbours with tractors and Jason, the local builder with serious vision.
“I drew a very rough plan, and Jason just got it,” Jack says. “He nailed it from day one.”
With a bit of muscle, a lot of teamwork, and nine weeks of graft, the Italian dream took shape.
Planting with heart
The plants are more than pretty, they’re packed with meaning. The headline act is the ancient olive tree, flanked by more olives, plus a pre-existing apple tree aptly named “Rome”, planted long before the Italian theme was decided, but now perfectly at home.
Roses add scent and memory, chosen to honour Jack’s nan and mother-in-law. Some were even inherited from family gardens.
Future plans include espaliered apple and pear trees, fennel for drama, and creeping thyme to soften the paving.
A well good idea
One of the quirkiest features? The old well. Once abandoned, it’s now a showpiece with lighting, a pump for watering, and a surround of travertine tiles, olives, and lavender.
And the pièce de résistance? Plans to top it with glass and turn it into a dining table. Dinner literally over the water.
Community spirit & garden goals
When friends visit, they say the garden looks like it’s always been there—a huge compliment for something built in just nine weeks.
But for Jack, it’s about more than looks. It’s heritage, community, and giving back. He even founded The Gardening Club on Facebook, now boasting 1,600+ members sharing tips and positivity. Jack and Craig also open their garden for charity each year (next year’s open day is already in the diary).
Takeaway’s for your own patch
We love how Jack’s garden proves that you don’t need endless budgets or brand-new materials to create something spectacular. Here’s what we learned:
Start with inspiration – a plant, a holiday, or even a birthday tree.
Reuse what you have – that pile of rubble might be your future seating.
Think outside the planter – wells as dining tables, slate as benches, you name it.
Layer in meaning – from family plants to sentimental features, it all tells a story.
Because the best gardens aren’t just beautiful, they’re personal.
