Barbara Landsberg from Bronte

By James Hutton on April 15, 2018 in People

Doing what she loves, by James Hutton.

Bronte’s Barbara Landsberg is a garden designer at Landsberg Garden Design, working from her studio in Bondi to transform spaces into beautiful gardens. Barbara shares her local favourites with The Beast…

How long have you lived here? I’ve lived in Bronte for 12 years now. I lived in Bondi for a few years, then lived overseas for 10 years, then returned home at the end of 2005.

Why do you live here? Because it’s a fabulous community and it’s beautiful. We had a home in Bondi, but we were living overseas and knew it would be a little small for our family. I need space around me, and my husband, Merrick, loves the water and being outside. We also needed to be able to get to the city for work and we wanted a place for our kids to grow up where there was plenty of outdoor space and a healthy community atmosphere – and the beach, of course! Bronte ticks all those boxes.

What’s your favourite beach? Bronte, there is no question.

What’s your favourite eatery? It varies but my current favourites are Gordon’s or Huxton’s for breakfast, G’day Bronte on Bronte Beach for my morning coffee, and Pheast on Bronte Road for dinner.

Where do you like to have a drink? On my balcony.

Best thing about the Eastern Suburbs? The relaxed, friendly atmosphere and people, and the walks, beaches and family feel.

Worst thing about the Eastern Suburbs? The litter that people leave around the parks and beaches. Our open spaces are fabulous, special places – a gift for everyone to share – and they should be respected.

Do you have a favourite sporting team? I have to say the Easts Rugby boys, because my son plays for them and it’s a great local club.

What music are you into at the moment? A whole mix, depending on the mood. A bit of alternative, jazz and mellow, Mt Wolf, M83 and Xavier Rudd. Then all the retro true jazz of Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, as well as Jimi Hendrix. I work listening to classical music, and I like the oldies like Don Henley and Journey – everything except the techno doof doof, which makes my head hurt.

Who is your favourite person? I have a million spectacular people in my life – hundreds of inspirational people, both alive and dead.

What do you get up to on the weekends? I run around like a mad person, walk the dog, garden, have a hundred projects on the go, work, and often go up to the Blue Mountains where my parents are to walk and garden, and to cook.

What do you do for work? I’m a garden designer. I work with fabulous people, outside with the Earth and her glorious elements, to transform spaces into beautiful gardens that are healing and bring delight. I am very lucky. Visit
www.landsberggardens.com.au.

What’s your favourite thing about work? Getting to be creative, working with the Earth and transforming a space into something beautiful and full of life, and watching our clients come alive with delight and find their own connections – and breathe again!

Do you have a favourite quote? The year is moving so fast already, I find myself saying, “Dock your oars, stop trying to paddle furiously upstream. Maybe where you need to be is downstream, and the current will take you there with no effort, so just go with the flow.”

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast? Take your shoes off and put your feet on the earth – there is a life force that pumps through it, and every living thing that will come through you and make you well.