Cathy Apps is a landscape and garden designer based in Adelaide. The team at Catnik have a wealth of horticulture knowledge and landscaping experience. Our gardens are recognised for their strong architectural lines, lush planting, and elegant contemporary styling.
With 20 years of experience designing and creating gardens and landscapes, our deep knowledge and intuitive feel for horticulture and materials lead to the creation of beautiful, usable, and sustainable outdoor spaces.
At Catnik Design Studio, we offer a complete range of services including garden design, site analysis, presentation drawings, plant selection, planting plan, garden construction, planting, and specialist garden lighting.
We are members of the Landscape Design Institute (LDI).
From small courtyards to full-scale rural landscaping, our gardens are recognised for their strong architectural lines, lush planting and elegant contemporary styling.
Our clients are at the heart of our practice. We always listen carefully and work with them to gain a detailed understanding of their individual needs and wishes.
We select plants fitted to their surroundings and always seek to enhance the ecological diversity and richness of the spaces in which we work.
Every garden design project begins with understanding a client's individual needs and aspirations along with gaining detailed insights into the specific nature and setting of a site and the unique opportunities and challenges it presents
We combine creative flair with a constant focus on professionalism. Clear communication, attention to detail, and delivering to the brief. We work closely with each client and the opportunity that exists to create a unique and specific design for their garden.
Cathy Apps is a landscape & garden designer based in Adelaide. She has designed many gardens around Adelaide.
“Catnik Garden and Landscaping No sooner had Cathy and I entered the back Courtyard, than she jumped up onto the garden wall, and restored the errant wisteria to rights! That’s a real gardener for you!
My messy back garden needed help, as did I! My requests were for a cutting garden around the walled perimeter, some curves, a small path, no lawn but some low care greenery, the water feature corner in better focus, a low deck, more sun, and a watering system for everything. I also wanted two trellised side gardens at the front of the house.”
“When we decided to renovate our rear patio and garden area and front garden we needed both landscaping and construction advice. Cathy and Nick Apps were able to provide design advice and documentation, a comprehensive budget with appropriate contractor prices and then very professionally project manage the execution of all the necessary works.”
“We recently engaged Cathy and Nick to design and construct our small front and back courtyards of our new home. They instantly understood what we were after. Cathy presented two wonderful designs and was very obliging to modify a few things before we settled on the perfect plan.”
“We used Catnik to both design and complete the landscaping for the small front and back yard in our new build home. Following several consultations Cathy completed 2 designs- including full irrigation, retaining walls, concreting, welding, garden and a water feature. We appreciated a third meeting to work on how to overall reduce costs to fit our budget.”
"We had a tired, hot, boring square of concrete. We now have a wonderful courtyard garden that will cool the house and brighten the street and is already attracting birds and bees. A great result."
"Cathy's friendly co-operation and attention to detail make Catnik a go-to design destination."
"Our architect recommended that we work with Cathy on the design of our gardens during our recent home renovation. Cathy was a pleasure to work with. She's got a great design sense and amazing knowledge of plants and trees. Her passion for landscaping is genuine. We can't wait to see what she comes up with for the next project when we rehabilitate our overgrown hillside garden."
"Cathy and the team at Catnik have helped us transform our garden (well they did most of the work if I'm honest) and I can't recommend them highly enough. Cathy is very knowledgeable and always give sound advice but probably her most marvellous trait is her obvious passion for what she does - priceless."
''If you are seriously considering a garden makeover, do yourself a favour and contact Cathy and Nick Apps from Catnik Design Studio. Cathy’s design options were very impressive – she listened to us and came up with some fabulous ideas for our front and back yards. The selection of plants were pretty spectacular as well. Nick had the job of turning our wasteland into garden beds and lawned areas and what a fantastic job he did! The automated irrigation system saves plenty of time and effort. My brother and I are rapt with our beautiful garden which we will enjoy for years to come. We have had nothing but positive comments from friends, neighbours and complete strangers! Thank you Cathy & Nick!"
"Cathy and Nick transformed my small backyard into a beautiful garden complete with a working water fountain and a separate area for my veggies. Cathy listened to my ideas and what I wanted to achieve and then provided practical advice, plant suggestions and a detailed plan.
Some of my existing pots and plants were retained to keep costs down and I'm very happy with the end result. Cathy and Nick's attention to detail is fantastic and I have no hesitation in recommending their services."
"I engaged Catnik Design Studio to redesign my newly purchased 1910 villa floor plan and design a new contemporary addition. Within the design, I required an en-suite bathroom and walk in robe to my bedroom. There was only a sleep-out bathroom when I purchased and Nick redesigned an old study/sewing room and transformed it into a stunning family bathroom.
The home needed extensive renovation which Nick and Cathy designed, oversaw and implemented seamlessly. I am awed by their enthusiasm and commitment.
In addition to this the garden needed to be re-designed which was completed 6 months ago and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
I look forward to stage 2 which is a new addition to the back of the home capturing the northern light on a south side block.
I am thrilled and have just loved the experience working with Nick and Cathy from Catnik Design Studio and would highly recommend them to any building design or landscape design work."
"Cathy and Nick
ROZ and I would like to thank you so much for your help creativity advice and work in our back garden
We are thrilled with the outcome and it was a pleasure to work with you both along the entire journey
All of our friends have made such positive comments about the layout and quality of your work and the transformation that has occurred to our back yard. During the autumn and late summer we used the space frequently during the day and at night to have coffee and entertain when necessary
Both Nick and you were a pleasure to work with and ROZ and I want to thank you both for your professionalism workmanship and willingness to go that extra mile
Thank you again. We have and would have no hesitation in recommending your company to our friends and family"