What metaphors are used in Blackthorn Winter by Sarah Challis?

The cottage garden becomes a metaphor for home and identity to Claudia. The garden cottage is the home Claudia moves into when she moves to the countryside. The cottage was previously owned by a military gentleman who was old and retired. As Claudia starts to settle in to the garden cottage, she paints some of the walls and adds some new décor to make the home more her own.