OUT garden
A refined garden design allows an effortless flow between indoors and out for a growing family WORDS DERYN THORPE STYLING ADAM ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY
splashing out
Floating decking allows greenery to peek through.
A New Zealand Christmas bush hedge and vertical paling fence provide a simple backdrop to the garden’s entertaining area.
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W
hen you live in the inner city, you’ll hear the
same renovation dilemma time and time again – a growing family want to create more space in their backyard and living area, without compromising on character. The owners of this Sydney property needed a home that reflected their casual lifestyle via family-friendly living areas connected to the garden, so they called in Mike Cass of Design-It Landscapes. He and his team set to work extending the existing sandstone dwelling to create an open-plan living area, and altered the garden to suit, with an alfresco entertaining area with a swimming pool and built-in barbecue at the heart of it. The owners’ desire for a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors was achieved with the addition of a new sandstone wall at one end of the kitchen that frames the pool through a huge glass pane. The wall also acts as the pool’s edge, sitting 600mm above the floor level of the kitchen and living area to create a striking feature. Thanks to a low-voltage LED lighting design by Mike, the view can also be enjoyed when the sun goes down. The house’s lime-rendered walls were stripped to expose the original sandstone, which influenced the choice of the ‘Jericho’ limestone pavers from Eco Outdoor and handmade coping pieces bordering the pool. “We created symmetry in the backyard to reflect the simple layout in the original house and the materials selected for the garden reflect the home’s natural colour palette and the colours in the sandstone,” says Mike.
The family pug relaxes on a ‘Breeze’ lounger from Tait beside spotted gum decking. Artificial turf is a low-maintenance lawn alternative and marks a textural change from the stone-paved areas.
OUT garden
“We mixed drought-tolerant succulents in sophisticated shades of grey and mauve with dichondra ‘Silver Falls’”
The addition of the pool and alfresco dining area make this backyard a prime spot for entertaining family and friends. Mike also installed LED-lighting to ensure that both people in the kitchen and out in the yard can enjoy the calming garden.
MIKE CASS, DESIGN-IT LANDSCAPES
The barbecue was built into a base that suited both home and garden. “By building in the barbecue with a timber shelf and stone wall to match the house, we have made a small area very functional,” says designer Mike Cass.
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The earthy tones of the fence’s western red cedar palings complement the sandstone elements, while the dark spotted gum decking is matched by the deep green grass-like liriope at its base. Western red cedar can also be spotted in the planter boxes filled with succulents, which sit above eye level on the grey cement-sheeting walls. “We mixed drought-tolerant graptoveria and echeveria succulents in sophisticated shades of grey and mauve with dichondra ‘Silver Falls’. This plant has a trailing habit so it spills out of the container,” says Mike. Along with drought-tolerant plants, other water-saving measures were introduced, such as artificial turf lawn that is deceptively life-like. A water tank buried beneath the shallow end of the swimming pool keeps the front and back outdoor areas watered via a computer-controlled irrigation system, adding to the garden’s low-maintenance appeal. After eight months, the renovation was complete. The indoor and outdoor elements of the home sit beautifully in tandem and this backyard is perfect for hosting relaxed get-togethers with family and friends. The design allows a seamless flow from the front door right through to the back, offering the family an abundance of room to grow. For more on Design-It Landscapes, visit designitlandscapes.com.au.
The bold hit of blue from the pool’s tiles brightens the yard and enhances its holiday-retreat vibe.
Inside Out / 161
OUT garden
A potted rubber plant brings deep green foliage to contrast with the soft grey and lavender plants, including graptoveria and echeveria succulents in the box. Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ hangs from the western red cedar boxes.
“The materials reflect the home’s natural colour palette and the tones in the sandstone”
MIKE CASS, DESIGN-IT LANDSCAPES
162 / Inside Out