About Karen
A recognised garden designer and founder of an award‑winning studio. Projects range from transforming simple planting schemes to urban courtyards, roof terraces and estates across Kent, East Sussex, Surrey, London, and international clients (remotely).
The Journey
Karen’s school experience wasn’t particularly enjoyable, her career started in a job at Goldman Sachs where she gained valuable organisational skills & learning the importance of professional customer car. These skills would reinforce her entrepreneurial and creative direction.
Her interest in plants was kindled in her 20’s, nurtured by her parents’ love of gardening, including her Dad’s ‘back of a fag packet’ designs and her obsession of plant scrapbooking. Her father’s mantra of “live for today,” encouraged her to pursue a career in horticulture, completing her formal qualifications.
Sadly, her Father left the world way too early, a huge and sudden heart-attack brought life into perspective for them as a family, his words of wisdom remain and were pivotal in the decision to set up her own business, all whilst working full time and the arrival of twins a few weeks after his passing! She finally ditched the day job and followed her dreams, who’d have thought it would lead to the thriving garden design studio that it has become today.
Team
Karen leads a talented and supportive team who embrace her commitment to doing things with clarity and integrity. She values them in the highest regard, as they work closely together and with trusted landscapers, suppliers and industry partners who share the same ethos, enriching peoples lifestyle with considered garden transformations.
She provides a hybrid work arrangement so that work-from-home facility benefits their own personal circumstances, creating a happy, fun and hardworking team culture.
Studio & Philosophy
A “one‑stop‑shop” service spanning concept design, build, accessorising and sourcing.
Dedicated to collaboration, her studio delivers individual gardens infused with personality, functionality, creativity and a huge passion for plants.
Her design approach is always evolving and she is grounded enough to know that “every day is a school day”. Karen is always looking for opportunities to improve, from business coaching, or her recent participation in the Natwest Accelerator program, podcasts or exchanging ideas with fellow professionals.
Press, Awards, Charity & Industry Recognition
Accolades gained include, Small Business of the Year at the Tunbridge Wells Business Awards in 2024, a testament to the studio's vision, quality, and reputation.
Her work has also been featured in top-tier publications like Homes & Gardens, Grand Design Magazine, The Times Newspaper and of particular merit was the much celebrated "Urban Jungle" garden, which scooped best in category at the APL awards.
An active industry participant, Karen is frequently asked to speak on panel events, workshops, and engage in collaborations.
KMGD have supported Pickering cancer drop in centre and also Perennial for a number of years.
Karen holds professional recognition, including MBALI (Member of the British Association of Landscape Industries) and MSGLD (Member of the Society of Garden & Landscape Designers) and APL (Association of Professional Landscapers), in addition to Trustmark. Awards accolades have been won at prestigious awards ceremonies, including The SGLD, BALI, APL, Muddy Stilletoes, TW business magazine and South England Prestige Awards. They were also delighted to gain an Award Winning 5* Trade Stand for Guy Ritchie at the Chelsea flower show.
Collaborations & Featured Projects
The team have had many successful collaborations with Renson, Umbris, Sunslifestyle, Bakers’ Garden Rooms, London Stone, Corker Outdoor Living, Millboard, Jardinico, The Modern Furniture Company, Tanby pools, Riviera Hot Tubs, Brass Monkey, Architectural Plants, How Green Nursery, Civic Trees etc. They work hard to integrate high quality products, architectural components, material textures, accessories and planting to create inspired outdoor spaces.
Inspiring
It is beyond plants and paving, her business journey has developed her entrepreneur mindset and ability to adapt to unexpected situations and a fluctuating economy, maintaining stability through the challenges.
Karen is a great role model to those considering a career change, or taking the steps to set up their own business, she has established a design practice that combines art, creativity, business skills and a fun outlook with her team, along with their consistent passion for garden design.
Raising the bar has been Karen’s single-minded goal throughout her career and she continues to do so.