Set in one of Auckland’s most historic streets, Trudy settled on a Moorish garden designed to seduce the senses for this small courtyard. Inspired by a Moroccan tent, the arbour replicates the roof pitch of the cottage, while the gilded stone fountain offers reflections of gold light by night, and by day, cooling relief. The depth of space is belied with patterned screens and artwork, woven in with ‘cut-out’ glimpses of oranges and pomegranates beyond. Although formal, with oversized pots of topiary and espaliered walls, scented roses, gardenia, star jasmine and citrus provide an arresting distraction for this oasis of calm.