Barbara Baker

As a nurse, Barbara Baker’s qualifications enabled her to travel and work overseas, taking her to both Europe and South Africa. However, just as she was starting to explore the endless possibilities open to her, she was cut off in her tracks with a shock terminal cancer diagnosis at the tender age of 24, finding herself battling for her life before it had really begun. This was her first indication that she had a level of mental resilience she was previously unaware of, as she confounded the medical team, and not only survived, but went on to thrive. But this was not without a host of physical and mental barriers and obstacles, which began with a lack of knowledge of the risks and tribulations, just as she sought to set herself up in business without any knowledge or experience. From Claudia to Cruella seeks to share that journey – and how Barbara was able to transfer the learning from her personal life lessons, as she battled cancer while raising a family as a single parent, and grew her business while balancing her children’s needs.

The outstanding gardens featured in Contemporary Designers' Own Gardens are all designed by innovative, influential, award-winning designers. Fascinating text and sumptuous photography profile each garden, analysing the relationship between the garden and its setting, planting schemes, the aims of the designers, and their achievements. In addition, the book examines the ways in which the designers' personalities affect their creations, and how their own gardens differ from those of their clients. Contemporary Designers' Own Gardens is an inspirational, informative and beautiful work, which will appeal to anyone who is interested in landscape architecture or garden design, be they a beginner or a professional. The gardens included are designed by: Patrick Blanc, Fernando Caruncho, Kate Cullity, Jim Fogarty, Ludwig Gerns, Adriaan Geuze, Isabelle Greene, Bunny Guinness, Ron Lutsko, Shunmyo Masuno, Dan Pearson, Antonio Perazzi, Tony Smith, Ted Smyth, Tom Stuart-Smith, Andy Sturgeon, Jacques Wirtz, Ute Wittich, Made Wijaya and Stephen Woodhams.