Emily O’Neill brings a thoughtful, nature-led approach to garden design, creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible. Based in London, she specialises in designing gardens that support wildlife, enhance biodiversity and respond sensitively to their surroundings. Her work balances creativity with ecological awareness, resulting in gardens that are inspiring, functional and rooted in place.
Emily has strong plant knowledge, underpinned by her RHS Level 2 qualification and two years of hands-on horticultural experience volunteering at Chiswick House. Her designs are further informed by a rich academic background, including a degree in History of Art and Italian from the University of Edinburgh and a Masters in Islamic Architecture from the University of London. This architectural grounding gives her a keen eye for form, structure and proportion, enabling her to integrate built elements seamlessly within the landscape.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Emily is a graduate of the KLC School of Garden Design, where she achieved a Merit and was awarded a Silver Medal for her final project, alongside a client commendation for another design. She is driven by a desire to create gardens that genuinely enrich people’s lives, offering sanctuary, beauty and a meaningful connection to the natural world.
EARLY CAREER
Emily’s path to garden design has been shaped by a varied and people-focused career. Her academic studies in art history and architecture fostered a long-standing interest in how spaces influence the way we live, move and feel.
Before retraining as a garden designer, Emily ran her own business in the health and wellness sector for 15 years. Working closely with clients to support their physical and emotional wellbeing developed her empathetic, client-centred approach and her ability to listen carefully and design bespoke solutions. These skills now underpin her design process.
Having also worked within a London-based practice where space is often limited, Emily has a particular talent for making every inch count. She excels at creating gardens that feel balanced, layered and generous, even within compact urban settings.
APPROACH
Emily’s love of plants, wildlife and the natural world sits at the heart of her practice. She believes gardens should be restorative for people and beneficial to the environment, and this philosophy guides every stage of her work. Her approach is collaborative, thoughtful and client-focused, ensuring each garden reflects the lifestyle and personality of those who use it.
Whether designing a lush wildlife garden or a compact city courtyard, Emily brings care, curiosity and a strong commitment to sustainability.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys tending her own garden, walking her dog along the river in West London, and playing a fast-paced game of pickleball.
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