Barefoot luxury & the restorative magic of nature

Emma Doman’s Show Garden, ‘Where We Gather,’ is a celebration of barefoot luxury, connection and the calming magic of outdoor living. Deliberately warm, lush and deeply sensory, the garden invites visitors to slow down and embrace long, sun-drenched afternoons spent with friends.

Complete with a dining terrace, spa, lounge and fire pit, the garden offers a range of potential gathering spaces, each with a different rhythm of interaction, but all designed to slow the pace of daily life, calm the nervous system, and allow connection and restoration.

It’s Emma’s first time showing at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show – here she shares details of her garden...

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Tell us about your Show Garden

At its heart, ‘Where We Gather’ celebrates the restorative role of intimate outdoor spaces. It’s inspired by resort-style landscapes and the unhurried rhythm of a typical Queensland weekend spent outdoors. The garden explores what it means to truly slow down – to share meals, linger in conversation and reconnect in beautifully designed outdoor spaces.

The garden balances architectural structure with layered, immersive planting to create a setting that feels both refined and verdant. Lush foliage, natural textures and various entertaining areas invite barefoot afternoons and moments spent together.

Tell us about the behind-the-scenes preparation for MIFGS

In a permanent landscape, you design for growth over years and throughout seasons. For a Show Garden, it has to feel beautifully settled and carry the permanence of an established garden – not something that was built in nine days! 

Plant selection was critical. Transporting advanced plant stock across state lines was both a logistical and climatic challenge, demanding careful handling and contingency planning.

Resort-style landscapes are typically associated with warmer regions, so I was conscious of how Melbourne residents would feel about that type of garden in the middle of Melbourne. The intention was to inspire visitors with a vision that felt achievable – weaving plant species into the palette that can be sourced locally and are suited to the Melbourne climate was essential.

Any specific details to highlight

Texture, layered foliage and the palette of raw, natural materials are key components of the concept. The layered planting to the perimeter – the canopy, mid-storey and understorey – all work together to create a sense of abundant greenery. 

The material palette is restrained: natural stone warmed by the sun, textured furnishings and tactile, low-tox finishes that feel earthy and restorative. The oversized canopies of the two mature Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) offer a sense of enclosure and intimacy, as well as providing dappled shade and gentle movement to the space. 

What do you hope visitors take away from your garden?

I hope it prompts people to reflect on their outdoor spaces and how these spaces could become their own private retreat. With a curated materials palette, a considered layout and careful plant selection, any garden can embody the qualities of a retreat.