Michael Mansvelt Design Ltd

03/09/2026

Few plants work quite as hard in a garden as lavender.
I’ve been designing with Lavender Dentata, or French Lavender for years, using it everywhere from coastal gardens and formal planting to sunny hillsides and commercial landscapes.
It loves full sun, tolerates exposed and coastal conditions, flowers for much of the year, and needs little more than a good annual trim to keep it dense and bushy.
It’s stunning planted en masse, as hedging, spilling alongside pathways or somewhere you’ll brush against it and release that unmistakable fragrance as you pass.
Then there are the bees, the birds, and the abundance of flowers to cut.
For me, that combination of beauty, fragrance, abundance, and longevity makes lavender the epitome of
And it’s something we grow ourselves at Jungle Nurseries, with batches available for only $12 each.

02/09/2026

Nīkau is a plant I return to in many of my landscape designs to create lush, layered planting and a strong architectural presence.

Its slender trunk gives height without heaviness, while the arching fronds bring movement, texture and dappled light.

As New Zealand’s only native palm, it’s a plant I’ve not only used throughout my own gardens, but one I grow and sell Jungle Nurseries

The Jungle Nurseries Nīkau Spring Sale is now on, with small Nīkau from just $10, making it the perfect time to bring that same lush, tropical feeling into your own garden.

Come and wander the gardens, see how I use Nīkau in the landscape and talk to our team about the right plants for your space.

And if you’re ready to rethink your outdoor space, talk to the team about working with me to design a garden that brings your own piece of paradise to life.

30/08/2026

Sometimes the best place to begin is with a conversation.
Michael Mansvelt Design Ltd is opening a limited number of private design consultations, these one on ones provide a chance to explore your ideas, your property and what could be possible.

Get in touch and secure your consultation with Mike today.
Email [email protected] or [email protected]

26/08/2026

Walking through a garden I designed over 20 years ago reminded me that good design gets better with time.

A sense of arrival, excitement, beauty, shelter and welcome, these are the things that stay with us.

Beauty is care. That’s Everyday Opulence.

TimelessDesign

21/08/2026

I take much of my inspiration from the way nature layers
Rough bark against soft foliage, delicate petals beside glossy leaves, and structure balanced with movement.

I bring that same thinking into the home through the use of timber, stone, glass, metal, linen, velvet, wallpaper, and planting. Each material is chosen not only for its appearance, but also for what it contributes to the overall ambiance of the space.

Texture isn’t about adding more. It’s about creating depth, contrast, and connection, bringing the natural world into the way we live every day.

That’s Everyday Opulence.

I have limited availability during September for interior and exterior design consultations. To discuss your home, garden, or upcoming project, contact Rebecca at [email protected].

21/08/2026

An exciting next chapter for both Michael Mansvelt Design and Jungle Nurseries.
Rebecca will be working alongside Michael and the wider team to strengthen our client experience, develop new opportunities and support the continued growth of both businesses.
For interior, exterior or landscape design consultation enquiries, contact Rebecca at [email protected].

A new season brings new growth, and a new face in the business.

We’re pleased to welcome Rebecca Johnson, who joins Michael Mansvelt Design Ltd and Jungle Nurseries across business development, brand, marketing and customer experience.

For Michael, this presents an opportunity to take Jungle to the next level. Rebecca’s experience will bring greater structure and visibility to the business while allowing the team to focus on what they do best.

“Rebecca and I have worked together over the years, particularly through TAFT, and we’re also good friends. I’ve wanted to bring her expertise into the business for a long time, so it feels as though everything has aligned at exactly the right moment.”

With Paris Plage, the business Rebecca co-owns, currently in its seasonal winter closure, the timing was perfect for her to bring her experience to Jungle.

“Jungle has grown from strength to strength since Mike purchased the property in 2020, and its next chapter holds enormous potential. I’m excited to work alongside Mike to elevate the customer experience and establish Jungle as a destination people actively seek out.”

For marketing, PR and consultation enquiries for Michael Mansvelt Design or Jungle Nurseries, contact Rebecca at [email protected].

11/08/2026

Warmth and texture are ideals I return to again and again in my work.
The softness of linen, layers of colour, pattern and natural materials, these are the details that give a room depth, personality and, most importantly, feeling.
It’s what I mean by Everyday Opulence. True luxury isn’t about expense or perfection. It’s about creating places that enrich everyday life.
After more than three decades of designing, I’ve come to believe the most successful homes share certain qualities. Not a particular style or aesthetic, but something deeper.
Because ultimately, the best homes don’t just look beautiful.

They make us feel something.
Love. Structure. Empathy. Fun.
Everyday Opulence.

07/08/2026

We feel with our eyes before we ever touch it.

Nature has always understood this. Sunlight spilling across a garden. Autumn leaves catching the afternoon light. The grain of weathered timber. Stone holding the day’s warmth. The flicker of fire.

So how do you bring that feeling home?

Choose materials that invite you in. Timber, linen, wool and velvet possess a warmth the eye recognises long before the hand reaches out. Fill your home with books, art and objects that carry meaning—not simply decoration.

Follow the sun. Notice where it falls throughout the day and across the seasons, then create places to pause within it. Stone and masonry absorb the warmth of winter sun and slowly release it as the air cools, extending comfort well into the evening.

Design for the seasons, not just the photograph. Capture winter sun. Shelter from prevailing winds. Create places to gather around an outdoor fire. The best gardens invite you outside every month of the year.

And remember, warmth doesn’t mean beige. Nature never limits itself to one palette. Rust, ochre, olive, to***co, scarlet and deep greens sit together effortlessly. Let your home have the same confidence.

Warmth isn’t a style.
It’s how a place makes us feel.
Love. Structure. Empathy. Fun.

Everyday Opulence is available to buy Jungle Nurseries or online...

- Michael Mansvelt
📷. Gina Fabish

06/08/2026

A little walk through the Jungle Nurseries this morning. Some winter colours to see . Come and visit us here and see for yourself

03/08/2026

The best landscapes are never created by accident. They begin with observation, understanding the character of a place, how the light moves, what already belongs, and what should remain untouched.
Jungle Nurseries was created as an extension of that philosophy.
When I purchased this property in 2020, it wasn't the place you see today, but I could see what it had the potential to become. Over the past six years, it has evolved into a living landscape where plants flourish, ideas take shape, and nature quietly reveals itself through every season.
Creating this space has reinforced a simple belief: the most enduring landscapes are never imposed on a place. They emerge from understanding it, respecting it, and working with nature.
That philosophy continues to shape every garden we design and every experience we create here at Jungle Nurseries.