outdoor special
Italian flavour
table service
The family lived in the US for several years and picked up the table, chairs and sun loungers from Restoration Hardware. “We brought our favourite pieces back with us,” says Rod. “They work really well, but it’s the garden itself that is the star.” An antique urn from Parterre links to the greenery and a White Home linen tablecloth adds a hint of romance.
time to retreat
Owners Rod and Jenny turned to landscape designer Ben Mahony from Mahony Landscapes to transform their once cramped pool area into a generous entertainment zone with a coastal Italian feel. “It’s now a space where kids can play or swim, while adults use it for a casual meal,” explains Ben. Cushions and towels from The Design Hunter add comfort, and a large umbrella (try the Shelta Terrazzo ‘Samarkand’ for similar) offers shade.
laidback luxury Reminiscent of a mediterranean villa, this Sydney oasis is a magnet for family and friends WORDS DONYALE HARRISON STYLING adam robinson PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY
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For most parents, combining their tastes and interests with those of their sports-mad teenagers will be a recipe for compromise, but in Rod and Jenny’s revamped Sydney garden, the results are superb. A series of open-plan living areas expand from the house, with both lounging zones for the grown-ups and makeshift cricket pitches for the kids. “The couple wanted an indoor-outdoor flow from the kitchen out to the pool area, and then a second sweep of garden linking the pool to a barbecue terrace,” says Ben Mahony, the designer behind the transformation. “My goal was to integrate it all as generously as possible, so people could move around without squeezing through small gaps.” Complicating factors included the twisting nature of the block, minimal access and an existing large pool. The first step was removing much of the old garden, leaving only a few specimen trees in place. Repositioning the pool was also considered, but “We came up with a way to keep it in place, which saved a lot of money,” says Ben. The frameless glass fence was moved closer to the boundary of the property, creating a zone that contains the pool, a paved area and a stretch of lawn. “It’s much more functional now, both for the kids to play in and for us to live in.” The other major construction was a series of steps linking the various levels of the garden. They’re one of Rod’s favourite elements: “The curved steps near the barbecue open up the patio, giving it a sweeping feel,” he says. “We sit on them during outdoor parties, they make a great conversation spot.” The overall look is undeniably luxurious, but liveable, too. A stone barbecue surround and travertine pavers lend a classic Italian aesthetic, and the deep blue pool speaks of summer holidays. The final touch was evergreen plantlife, with seasonal blooms providing fragrance and colour. “It’s a garden that looks good year-round,” says Ben. “But you can still see the seasons changing within it.”
cook out
“Jenny and Rod love to entertain,” says Ben. “From this terrace it’s easy to transport food to the pool or lower lawn.” A Tucker ‘S-class’ barbecue means that even large parties are easily catered for, while matched pots of clipped buxus give the utilitarian area a sophisticated touch. >
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soft touch
With the relaxed appeal of a riviera resort, the terrace is accessed via bi-fold doors. Travertine pavers meld with a soft render in Dulux Linseed and complement the seagrass chairs from Cotswold Furniture. “In summer, gardenias add fragrance through the day and night,” comments Ben.
green room
The pool’s lush surrounds are provided by trees that add height to the garden and help to break up the formality of the geometric hedges and hard surfaces. Birches and standard maples are used as focal points that will add shade in future summers, while the borrowed vistas of neighbouring gardens add to the sense of privacy and enclosure.
design tips
planning
“In terms of the design, Rod and Jenny let me know what they wanted to use the garden for and then let us bounce our ideas off them until everyone was happy,” explains designer Ben Mahony. Because both the designer and homeowners were open to changes, they were able to rethink some elements, such as moving the pool, which led to significant savings and a less disruptive process. It also meant that Rod and Jenny felt connected to the design all the way through.
materials
key features
1. PAVERS: Try ‘Capri’ travertine pavers, $99/sqm, Eco Outdoor.
2. POOL TILES: Try ‘Resort Collection’ tiles in Barbados, $54.95/sqm, Amber.
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GRASS: Sapphire soft-leaf buffalo turf, from $6.50/sqm, ABC Turf Supplies.
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verdant vision
An oversized urn (try Parterre for similar) draws the eye to the loose hedging supplied by extensive plantings of viburnum.
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KEY PLANTS: Magnolias, gardenias, liriope, viburnum, birches, maple.
ILLUSTRATION KENZIEDESIGN.COM
plans
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setting the scene
Bringing an indoor feel outside can be as simple as introducing accessories. Here, a pair of white lanterns from Cotton Love and tableware from White Home give the barbecue area a festive feel. >
LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Mahony Landscapes, (02) 9486 3724, themahonygroup.com.au.
outdoor special
Italian flavour 1
get the look
Create a sophisticated alfresco entertaining zone with mediterranean-inspired finds 2
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11 1. ‘Ullamaj’ outdoor seat cushion, $9.99, Ikea. 2. ‘Suri’ cotton cushion in Neutral, $59.95, Kas. 3. Vincent Sheppard ‘Cordoba’ sofa, $1895, Cotswold Furniture. 4. ‘Capri’ travertine tiles, from $99/sqm, Eco Outdoor. 5. ‘Lyon’ linen cushion, $64, Linen & Moore. 6. ‘Nito’ tray, $66.95, Williams-Sonoma. 7. Manutti ‘Versailles’ chair, $756, Cosh Living. 8. ‘Seville’ umbrella, from $440 (base sold separately, from $100), Shelta. 9. ‘Pomezia’ urn, from $150, Kellock Trading. 10. ‘Matador’ four-burner outdoor kitchen, $1599, Bunnings. 11. ‘Palmetto’ all-weather tables, $197 each, Pottery Barn. 12. Cashmere mix throw in Mink & Stone, $154, Linen & Moore. Stockists, page 212
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merchandising kylie jackes
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