Elegant Website for Autumn Leaf Gardens
Budget: $15 – $25 AUD
Overview
Client: Autumn Leaf Gardens
Project: Website design and WordPress development (custom theme build)
Website Type: Portfolio / service-based website for a high-end garden designer
About the Brand:
Autumn Leaf Gardens is a boutique garden design practice specialising in premium residential and lifestyle landscapes. The brand represents refined design, natural beauty, and timeless style. The website should reflect this — elegant, understated, and confident, with a focus on imagery, storytelling, and clean presentation.
Objectives
Present Autumn Leaf Gardens as a premium landscape design studio.
Showcase a curated portfolio of projects (with large imagery and minimal text).
Highlight services, design philosophy, and designer profile.
Generate qualified enquiries via a contact form.
Be visually timeless, fast-loading, and easy to update by the client.
Creative Direction
Look & Feel:
Elegant, minimal, high-end design aesthetic (inspired by architecture and lifestyle publications).
Strong focus on white space, texture, and photography.
Colour palette to reflect natural, earthy tones — e.g., muted greens, soft neutrals, and warm accents.
Typography: refined serif and modern sans-serif pairing (Google Fonts, self-hosted).
Subtle transitions and scroll behaviour — smooth, not flashy.
Tone:
Calm, confident, natural.
Aspirational yet approachable.
Reflects craftsmanship, design expertise, and attention to detail.
Core Pages
Home – overview, hero imagery, introduction, and quick links to portfolio or about.
About – designer bio (Autumn), design philosophy, and brand story.
Portfolio / Projects – grid or gallery layout with project detail pages (high-quality imagery, project summaries).
Services – overview of garden design, consultation, planting design, and maintenance planning.
Contact – form (managed by us), location, and social links.
Journal (optional) – space for future articles or news if time allows.
Technical Development Guidelines
Platform: WordPress (latest stable version)
Build Type: Custom standalone theme
Development Standards
Gutenberg Only:
All layouts must use native Gutenberg blocks.
No visual builders (Elementor, WPBakery, Divi, etc.).
No Third-Party Gutenberg Libraries:
Only core WordPress blocks or custom PHP-built blocks for this project.
Do not install plugins like Spectra, Kadence, GenerateBlocks, etc.
PHP-Based Development:
All custom blocks and functionality must be PHP-based, not React or JavaScript frameworks.
(Ensures server-side performance and long-term maintainability.)
Standalone Custom Theme:
Create a purpose-built theme, not a modified or child theme.
All styling and logic should be unique to Autumn Leaf Gardens.
Minimal Plugin Reliance:
Approved plugin: Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) only.
All other functionality to be developed in-house or through custom code.
Note: We will manage contact form integration.
Typography:
Google Fonts only — must be self-hosted for performance and GDPR compliance.
Performnce:
Clean code, lightweight assets, optimised images, and minimal dependencies.
Target Lighthouse scores above 90 for desktop and mobile.
Deliverables & Handover
1. Full Local Copy
Complete export of the working WordPress site including:
Database (.sql file)
Theme folder (with all source files)
Any custom or MU plugins
Uploads, media, and configuration files (e.g. .env, wp-config.php)
2. Source Files
Include all uncompiled source files (SCSS, ES6, etc.)
Include compiled/minified CSS and JS versions for production
3. Build Instructions
Provide a README with:
Local environment setup
Build process and dependencies
Commands to compile or watch assets
4. Version Control
Provide access to Git repository or a final ZIP archive with all files and commit history.
To Apply / Respond
Please include:
Links to 3–5 live WordPress sites you’ve built (preferably minimal, design-led examples).
Description of your experience with Gutenberg and custom themes.
Confirmation that you can comply with the PHP-based / no-JavaScript framework requirement.
Proposed timeline
Design Direction & Mood Board
Overall Feel
The website for Autumn Leaf Gardens should embody refined simplicity, natural beauty, and understated luxury.
It should feel calm, confident, and timeless — more architectural and design-led than traditionally “gardeny.”
Think high-end residential design, not landscaping services.
The visual direction should appeal to clients who value craftsmanship, texture, sustainability, and thoughtful design.
Use whitespace, subtle tones, and elegant typography to create a feeling of breathing room and confidence.
Visual Inspiration
Reference styles and tone similar to:
Romany Lambert - Heritage garden designer with vast experience. Older site but good style for this clientelle.
Eckersley Garden Achitecture – contemporary and professional, strong imagery and typography balance.
Garden Life Sydney – lifestyle-led presentation with an emphasis on texture and natural form.
Hecker Guthrie / Kennedy Nolan / Clare Cousins Architects – Australian architectural calmness and tactile restraint.
Fieldwork Projects (UK) or Studio Ilk (Tasmania) – elegant, monochromatic, quietly confident.
Colour Palette
Muted natural tones — olive, sage, eucalypt, soft greys, and clay.
Accents may include warm neutrals, soft charcoal, or pale stone tones.
Avoid bright greens or strong contrast.
Palette should feel organic, timeless, and premium.
Typography
Pair a refined serif (for headings) with a clean, contemporary sans-serif (for body).
Typeface examples:
Playfair Display or Cormorant Garamond (serif)
Work Sans, Inter, or Poppins (sans)
Must be Google Fonts, self-hosted for performance.
Focus on readability, elegance, and strong hierarchy.
Imagery
Showcase large, high-quality project imagery — full width where possible.
Prefer natural light, warm tones, and realistic finishes (avoid filters).
Mix landscape shots with close details — texture, form, planting, and light.
The imagery should do most of the storytelling — text should complement, not compete.
Layout & Interaction
Minimalist layout, strong grid structure, restrained motion.
Subtle fade or scroll transitions only — no parallax or busy animations.
Clean menu structure (max 5–6 top-level items).
Ensure intuitive navigation and mobile responsiveness.
Portfolio grid should prioritise large imagery and easy navigation between projects.
Tone of Voice
Confident but gentle — think “crafted, not corporate.”
Language should speak to discerning homeowners and design professionals.
Avoid sales language; use phrasing that suggests experience, collaboration, and trust.
E.g. “Thoughtful garden design for contemporary living.”
Deliverables (Design Phase)
Two homepage layout concepts (desktop & mobile).
One subpage sample (project or about page).
Typography, colour palette, and component library (style sheet).
Mood board reference images (optional PDF or Figma board).
Client: Autumn Leaf Gardens
Project: Website design and WordPress development (custom theme build)
Website Type: Portfolio / service-based website for a high-end garden designer
About the Brand:
Autumn Leaf Gardens is a boutique garden design practice specialising in premium residential and lifestyle landscapes. The brand represents refined design, natural beauty, and timeless style. The website should reflect this — elegant, understated, and confident, with a focus on imagery, storytelling, and clean presentation.
Objectives
Present Autumn Leaf Gardens as a premium landscape design studio.
Showcase a curated portfolio of projects (with large imagery and minimal text).
Highlight services, design philosophy, and designer profile.
Generate qualified enquiries via a contact form.
Be visually timeless, fast-loading, and easy to update by the client.
Creative Direction
Look & Feel:
Elegant, minimal, high-end design aesthetic (inspired by architecture and lifestyle publications).
Strong focus on white space, texture, and photography.
Colour palette to reflect natural, earthy tones — e.g., muted greens, soft neutrals, and warm accents.
Typography: refined serif and modern sans-serif pairing (Google Fonts, self-hosted).
Subtle transitions and scroll behaviour — smooth, not flashy.
Tone:
Calm, confident, natural.
Aspirational yet approachable.
Reflects craftsmanship, design expertise, and attention to detail.
Core Pages
Home – overview, hero imagery, introduction, and quick links to portfolio or about.
About – designer bio (Autumn), design philosophy, and brand story.
Portfolio / Projects – grid or gallery layout with project detail pages (high-quality imagery, project summaries).
Services – overview of garden design, consultation, planting design, and maintenance planning.
Contact – form (managed by us), location, and social links.
Journal (optional) – space for future articles or news if time allows.
Technical Development Guidelines
Platform: WordPress (latest stable version)
Build Type: Custom standalone theme
Development Standards
Gutenberg Only:
All layouts must use native Gutenberg blocks.
No visual builders (Elementor, WPBakery, Divi, etc.).
No Third-Party Gutenberg Libraries:
Only core WordPress blocks or custom PHP-built blocks for this project.
Do not install plugins like Spectra, Kadence, GenerateBlocks, etc.
PHP-Based Development:
All custom blocks and functionality must be PHP-based, not React or JavaScript frameworks.
(Ensures server-side performance and long-term maintainability.)
Standalone Custom Theme:
Create a purpose-built theme, not a modified or child theme.
All styling and logic should be unique to Autumn Leaf Gardens.
Minimal Plugin Reliance:
Approved plugin: Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) only.
All other functionality to be developed in-house or through custom code.
Note: We will manage contact form integration.
Typography:
Google Fonts only — must be self-hosted for performance and GDPR compliance.
Performnce:
Clean code, lightweight assets, optimised images, and minimal dependencies.
Target Lighthouse scores above 90 for desktop and mobile.
Deliverables & Handover
1. Full Local Copy
Complete export of the working WordPress site including:
Database (.sql file)
Theme folder (with all source files)
Any custom or MU plugins
Uploads, media, and configuration files (e.g. .env, wp-config.php)
2. Source Files
Include all uncompiled source files (SCSS, ES6, etc.)
Include compiled/minified CSS and JS versions for production
3. Build Instructions
Provide a README with:
Local environment setup
Build process and dependencies
Commands to compile or watch assets
4. Version Control
Provide access to Git repository or a final ZIP archive with all files and commit history.
To Apply / Respond
Please include:
Links to 3–5 live WordPress sites you’ve built (preferably minimal, design-led examples).
Description of your experience with Gutenberg and custom themes.
Confirmation that you can comply with the PHP-based / no-JavaScript framework requirement.
Proposed timeline
Design Direction & Mood Board
Overall Feel
The website for Autumn Leaf Gardens should embody refined simplicity, natural beauty, and understated luxury.
It should feel calm, confident, and timeless — more architectural and design-led than traditionally “gardeny.”
Think high-end residential design, not landscaping services.
The visual direction should appeal to clients who value craftsmanship, texture, sustainability, and thoughtful design.
Use whitespace, subtle tones, and elegant typography to create a feeling of breathing room and confidence.
Visual Inspiration
Reference styles and tone similar to:
Romany Lambert - Heritage garden designer with vast experience. Older site but good style for this clientelle.
Eckersley Garden Achitecture – contemporary and professional, strong imagery and typography balance.
Garden Life Sydney – lifestyle-led presentation with an emphasis on texture and natural form.
Hecker Guthrie / Kennedy Nolan / Clare Cousins Architects – Australian architectural calmness and tactile restraint.
Fieldwork Projects (UK) or Studio Ilk (Tasmania) – elegant, monochromatic, quietly confident.
Colour Palette
Muted natural tones — olive, sage, eucalypt, soft greys, and clay.
Accents may include warm neutrals, soft charcoal, or pale stone tones.
Avoid bright greens or strong contrast.
Palette should feel organic, timeless, and premium.
Typography
Pair a refined serif (for headings) with a clean, contemporary sans-serif (for body).
Typeface examples:
Playfair Display or Cormorant Garamond (serif)
Work Sans, Inter, or Poppins (sans)
Must be Google Fonts, self-hosted for performance.
Focus on readability, elegance, and strong hierarchy.
Imagery
Showcase large, high-quality project imagery — full width where possible.
Prefer natural light, warm tones, and realistic finishes (avoid filters).
Mix landscape shots with close details — texture, form, planting, and light.
The imagery should do most of the storytelling — text should complement, not compete.
Layout & Interaction
Minimalist layout, strong grid structure, restrained motion.
Subtle fade or scroll transitions only — no parallax or busy animations.
Clean menu structure (max 5–6 top-level items).
Ensure intuitive navigation and mobile responsiveness.
Portfolio grid should prioritise large imagery and easy navigation between projects.
Tone of Voice
Confident but gentle — think “crafted, not corporate.”
Language should speak to discerning homeowners and design professionals.
Avoid sales language; use phrasing that suggests experience, collaboration, and trust.
E.g. “Thoughtful garden design for contemporary living.”
Deliverables (Design Phase)
Two homepage layout concepts (desktop & mobile).
One subpage sample (project or about page).
Typography, colour palette, and component library (style sheet).
Mood board reference images (optional PDF or Figma board).