When she moved to live in leafy Rathgar with her family, the period house was laid out in a series of depressing bedsits with a neglected garden beyond.

With many of the original features gone in the house, the decision was taken to stay honest to those changes and move the interior style to an unfussy, contemporary feel with neutral painted walls and marble floors.

Style aside however, it's the young family members . . . Sonia and husband Barry Lyons have three children, Charlie (7), Lily (5) and Polly (3) . . . who actually bring the house to life.

And the gardens are very much their domain too.

"A garden can mean different things to different people. Here, the kids have their own space. They are surrounded by greenery and love watching things grow. They play hide and seek, and climb the trees.

"When we first moved and the house was being renovated, the builders wanted to take out two old trees . . . an apple and a holly. But we knew they would mark the changing seasons, as well as being beautiful to look out at. I said 'no' and Charlie was also set against it, crying: 'You're destroying nature!'" The original, unruly back garden was tamed and redesigned with the professional help of Howbert & Mays, who organised the initial heavy work of reseeding the lawn, installing the deck and planting some of Sonia's favourite shrubs and flowers.

This is a city garden that works for its keep too; aromatic leaves from the mature bay tree, and mint, rosemary, sage and thyme from the herb plot, regularly ending up in the cooking pot.

As someone so identified with fashion . . . Sonia's public-relations work involves organising Dublin Fashion Week . . . you might expect strict adherence to what's currently 'in' outdoors. But the maxim here is about style of the effortless variety.

"We love the whole dining al fresco thing but it's all very casual. All of the doors open to the deck and the kids cycle in and out of the garden. If the weather is good, there really is nothing like very simple food eaten outdoors."

Her passion for wildflowers is particularly evident in the front garden. A gravel path curves through lavendar and rosemary borders and beds defined by lofty cottage garden stalwarts . . . delphiniums, lupins, fox gloves . . . and also architectural allium and artichokes. Two young Japanese cherry trees drip with pink blossom in spring.

Colour is just as important as fragrance and design here with the blue and purple colours in the plants contrasting with the red brick of the house and the dark grey painted door.

Sonia's heavy schedule as an event organiser takes her away from her beloved gardens pretty much all of the time and she is very involved with the Handbags and Gladrags Charity, (www. handbagsandgladrags. com), a five-year fundraising programme for Crumlin Childrens' Hospital.

Since she first got involved with the project, that task has become, unexpectedly, closer to her heart . . . her youngest child is currently undergoing a lengthy series of preventative treatment at the hospital.

With so much going on in her personal and professional life, the garden beckons as the place for contemplation in quieter moments, as well as being a source of fun for the children and a great space for entertaining friends and family.

"I've always had a love for gardens, even though I couldn't tell you all of the official names of plants, Latin or otherwise. A garden shouldn't be too much about showing off . . . it has to be fun for everyone too.

"The great thing about any garden is that you will always get results. It's genuinely therapeutic. And it won't talk back to you!"

Dublin Fashion week runs from 27-29 August; www. dublinfashionweek. com

WHERE TO BUY

>> Garden design: Howbert & Mays (www. howbertandmays. com). Service includes garden and landscape design, garden renovation and development and skilled gardening.
>> Garden accessories: Avoca garden shop in Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow; Murphy & Wood, Cabinteely, Dublin 18; and Dunnes Stores Home.
>> Clear perspex table: Habitat, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, 01 677 1433; www. habitat. net >> Formal pots and ornamental pieces: Formality @ The Cowshed, Glasthule, Co Dublin, 01-280 8071; www. formality. ie
>> Orange moulded chairs: Minima, 8 Herbert Place, Dublin 2, 01-662 7894. By appointment only. www. minima. ie

THREE TO STEAL

1For al fresco dining, and whether it's four or 14 diners, keep it casual.

2Don't fuss too much about furniture that's officially 'outdoor' . . . pull the kitchen or dining table and chairs outside when the weather permits.

3 Keep food very simple too . . . sometimes a barbecue is just too much hassle. Get everyone involved by giving them a task . . . that enhances the informality and fun of eating outdoors."