Outside: 01 by Niche Media

ISSUE 01

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ISSUE 01

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#01 | OUTSIDE AUD$9.95 ISSN 2651-8813

Preparing your yard for a fun-filled summer season

Creating a space to enrich the environment

Divine designs to inspire

OUTSIDE

Outside in an annual publication by

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CONTENTS

REGULAR SECTIONS

FEATURES

9 Editorial

38 Is your outdoor space summer ready? Follow Outside’s guide and make sure your alfresco space is ready for a funﬁlled season of grilling and gathering.

10 The Details

34.

14 The Spaces 34 The People 64 Folio

44 Size doesn’t matter Whether you have a small balcony or an acre of land, there are plenty of tips and tricks to maximise on the space year-round.

44. 48 Green living How designing with sustainability in mind can lower your home’s environmental impact and save you money.

52 Light my ﬁre The outdoor kitchen trend is growing and getting ever more sophisticated. Outside takes a look at the best designs and appliances.

30.

56 Taking the plunge From full size to half to swim spas, Outside dives into the world of swimming pools.

Subscriptions Subscription enquiries Call 1800 804 160 or email subscriptions@niche.com.au

PUBLISHER Joanne Davies joanne.davies@niche.com.au (03) 9948 4929 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Lachlan Oakley lachlan.oakley@niche.com.au (03) 9948 4952 EDITOR Natalie Mortimer natalie.mortimer@niche.com.au ADVERTISING Tali Ben-Yehuda tali.yehuda@niche.com.au (03) 9948 4953

CHAIRMAN Nicholas Dower

Cover: Joel Barbitta and D-Max Photography

MANAGING DIRECTOR Paul Lidgerwood

Stock images via 123RF

PUBLISHER AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Joanne Davies

Printing Southern Colour

HEAD OF CONTENT Madeleine Swain

Outside is a publication of Niche Media Pty Ltd ABN 13 064 613 529 Suite 1418, Level 14, 1 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 T (03) 9948 4900 F (03) 9948 4999

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All unsolicited material should be addressed to the attention of the editor at the address above. Material will only be returned if a postage prepaid self-addressed envelope is supplied. Niche Media Pty Ltd accepts no liability for loss or damage of unsolicited material.

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, internet, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publishers accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the editor, publisher or Niche Media Pty Ltd.

Niche Media Privacy Policy This issue of Outside may contain offers, competitions, surveys, subscription offers and premiums that, if you choose to participate, require you to provide information about yourself. If you provide information about yourself to Niche Media, Niche Media will use the information to provide you with the products or services you have requested (such as subscriptions). We may also provide this information to contractors who provide the products and services on our behalf (such as mail houses and suppliers of subscriber premiums and promotional prizes). We do not sell your information to third parties under any circumstances, however the suppliers of some of these products and services may retain the information we provide for future activities of their own, including direct marketing. Niche Media will also retain your information and use it to inform you of other Niche Media promotions and publications from time to time. If you would like to know what information Niche Media holds about you please contact The Privacy Ofﬁcer, Niche Media Pty Ltd, 1 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004. Outside is a publication of Niche Media Pty Ltd, ABN 13 064 613 529, 1 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Australia, tel +613 9948 4900, fax +613 9948 4999, Outside ©2018 Niche Media Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

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EDITOR’S LET TER

NATALIE MORTIMER, EDITOR

“Summertime is always the best of what might be”, according to author Charles Bowden and it’s with that mantra in mind that I’m excited to be writing the very first editor’s letter for Outside. This summer we are bringing you a magazine packed full of design inspiration, advice and resources to guide you on your outdoor design journey. Inside you’ll find a mixture of projects, features on the latest trends and the best new products to ensure your outdoor space shines. Designing a garden, terrace or balcony can be a daunting task, which is why you’ll find how to work within the confines of a courtyard or with swathes of land in our feature on size (p52). For the larger spaces, we look at designing areas for relaxing and

entertaining, as well as play and planting. And for balcony owners there are tips for maximising space and choosing furniture. Being a summer edition, it’s only fitting we help you get your outdoor space ready for the season (p46). You’ll find out how to refresh your deck, protect and prepare furniture and how to choose lighting and cooling/heating products to ensure you have a stylish and comfortable space to enjoy the warm weather. There’s also advice on how to design sustainably (p56), choose the best pools and spas (p64), find the latest trends in outdoor kitchen design (p60) and much more. It’s a jam-packed first issue that we hope brings you closer to designing your dream outdoor space.

OUTSIDE

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THE DETAILS

Neutral numbers For a relaxed, clean look that transcends the trends, go neutral in your outdoor space. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

DUET INDOOR/OUTDOOR RUG, westelm.com.au SAVANNAH OUTDOOR COFFEE TABLE, lavitafurniture.com.au HANGING POD, osierbelle.com.au LAGOON BARSTOOL, globewest.com.au LED CANTILEVER UMBRELLA, shelta.com.au GYPSY LOUNGE CHAIR, cotswoldfurniture.com.au DOMINO EXTENSION DINING TABLE, kingliving.com.au DC POTS, coshliving.com.au

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Light it up From festoon to pendant to ﬂoor, set the mood with these outdoor lights. 1.

3. 4.

SOUTHAMPTON 1 LIGHT LARGE EXTERIOR PENDANT IN ANTIQUE BLACK, beaconlighting.com.au HARBOUR EXTERIOR LIGHTS, beaconlighting.com.au SWAY BY NICK RENNIE, madebypen.com OBLONGO EXTERIOR SURFACE MOUNTED BLACK MARBLE LED WALL LIGHT, ozlighting.com.au INDUSTRIAL HANGING WALL SCONCE WITH 7.87”W GLOBE GLASS SHADE, beautifulhalo.com WHITE CABLE OUTDOOR FESTOON LIGHTS, templeandwebster.com.au ROMEO FLOOR LAMP, lightco.com.au DHARMA OUTDOOR PENDANT LIGHT, lightco.com.au

OUTSIDE

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THE DETAILS

Colour me happy Add a splash of colour with these bold and bright pieces. 1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7.

PIDESTALL PLANTERS, rjliving.com.au BELLEVIE TWO-SEATER SOFA, fermob.com LOW ARMCHAIR DUO LUXEMBOURG, fermob.com AQUA STRATIS INDOOR/OUTDOOR CUSHION, zanui.com.au WEEKENDER STRIPE CUSHION, freedom.com.au UV ALISA SUNLOUNGE GREEN, archipelagoliving.net FAIRVIEW SHADE UMBRELLA, shelta.com.au

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Comfort rules

Cuddle down and cosy up with these luxurious pieces. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

KOBO ONE-SEATER, coshliving.com.au DELTA OUTDOOR III CIRCLE SOFA, kingliving.com.au PANAMA OUTDOOR MODULAR SOFA, cocorepublic.com.au ORD MODULAR OUTDOOR SOFA, ecooutdoor.com.au MINERVA DAYBED, satara.com.au

OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

REFLECTING CHARACTER The owners of this captivating period home in Sydney’s Ashfield required a garden that reflected its character. PHOTOGRAPHY – CHRIS SLAUGHTER

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THE SPACES

left – The bespoke barbecue station was designed to complement the lounge area. right –The distinctive character of the house extends into the garden.

Nestled within the oldest section of Ashfield, a suburb in Sydney’s inner west, this house is awash with period charm, meaning a distinctive character needed to be extended to the garden. The owners called on landscape design studio Scenic Blue with a long wish list, including a patio, shade structures, a large kitchen, a swimming pool, areas for private sunbathing, an outdoor fireplace and an orchid house. “The theme of the design was to generate rooms, but rooms with easy, comfortable connectivity,” says designer Chris Slaughter. “Inspiration came from many things, but mainly the lounge room that backed onto the rear of the home. “During initial discussions, we flaunted the idea of a large set of bi-fold doors being installed, thus letting the lounge become very much a part of the garden when flung open. “From this idea, we designed an outdoor roofed structure to support various recreational elements that acts very much like an outstretched hand beckoning you out.” The new outdoor area has two different levels separated by paved steps: the lower houses the outdoor living space and the upper a wide lawn and the L-shaped pool. To complement the materials of

the Federation-style house, Slaughter chose a colourmatching roof with a timber ceiling for the covered area, which also features a brick fireplace. Pergola supports and the retaining wall that runs along one side are also constructed from brick. The bespoke barbecue station, with its fridge, sink and custom cabinetry, was designed in line with the lounge area. “The flooring needed to be of a material that didn’t look like it needed cleaning every time you looked at it, but was able to support the dust and weather changes,” says Slaughter. “So, we chose a beige stone to allow the brickwork to accent the overall design. This stone flowed throughout the entire garden.” To cater to the owners’ passion for orchids, Slaughter designed a bespoke orchid house that provides ample space to hang the plants and store all the required gardening equipment. A garden shed was also on the must-have list and this was designed to mirror the lounge and barbecue structures. To reflect the clients’ personal style and love of entertaining, the garden features personal art pieces and modern elements such as an outdoor sound system and television.

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“The theme of the design was to generate rooms, but rooms with easy, comfortable connectivity.”

OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

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A RIVERSIDE RETREAT Located on the banks of the Barwon River, Geelong, this steep, uncompromising site has been transformed into a striking garden by landscape designer Ross Uebergang. PHOTOGRAPHY – ROSS UEBERGANG

Perched 20 metres above the roadside on a steep curve and infested with weeds, the site of this riverside property was challenging to say the least. So challenging, in fact, that landscape designer and architect Ross Uebergang was one of a string of designers the clients approached to turn their garden into a waterside haven. “At this point they were hoping to ﬁnd someone who would actually come back,” says Uebergang. “It is one of the more complicated sites around and I think a lot of people were quite daunted by it, due to the huge slope, retaining walls and formidable weed collection. I think I was at least the fourth person they had contacted. I was just starting out in the industry at this point and was excited by the challenge.” The site is at the end of a steep gully, which is frequently smashed by hot winds coming from the south-west. The soil is also particularly rocky, meaning plant choice took careful consideration. “At the start of the project I scouted the streets and banks around the area to see what was naturally

happy on the slope,” says Uebergang. “A rosemary bush down the road was doing particularly well on an unkempt site, so this became the ﬁrst plant that we worked around.” To prevent the weeds growing through, Uebergang used a method of layering where he pegged down the branches of a semi-prostrate rosemary so that it would root off the branches. This was done to form a dense mat of roots down the slope to stabilise the soil and stop it being blown straight off the hill. For design inspiration, Uebergang looked to the client’s love of surf lifesaving, Ironman competitions and being around water in general. “We wanted to tie this theme into the space without really using water due to the site’s restrictions and the budget. I was lucky enough to ﬁnd a local pier that had been demolished and was able to remill that on-site for seating in one of the hidden courtyards I created on the slope in the front, and some of the decorative screens I constructed around the yard.”

OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

left – The middle terrace is home to a sunken curved amphitheatre. far right –An abundance of bamboo provides a zen-like feel.

A top terrace deck looks out onto the Barwon River and has a Zen-like feel with plenty of bamboo, while a middle terrace is home to drier climate plantings such as protea and aulax, which surround a sunken curved amphitheatre with benching set around a ﬁrepit. There’s a focus on sustainability in the garden too: alongside the demolished pier, Uebergang found some concrete blocks with railway switches mounted on them and a number of old railway sleepers, which he used to create the structure in one of the courtyards. Paving already on-site was reused and cut into a new shape to conform to the seating. And so the most challenging part of the project? “Getting materials on-site was tricky,” says Uebergang. “The only way up the slope is via staircases. We tried to design mainly with materials that were easy to move, though we did really struggle to get a few of the railway sleepers up the hill. But, overall, it was a really fulﬁlling project.”

“At the start of the project I scouted the streets and banks around the area to see what was naturally happy on the slope.”

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OUTSIDE

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OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

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BLOOMING LOVELY A Best in Show winner at Melbourne Flower and Garden Show, Cube² shows the design potential of a 10 by 10-metre space. PHOTOGRAPHY – JASON ZORZUT PHOTOGRAPHY

Just ﬁve weeks out from the Melbourne Flower Garden Show (MFGS), Darin Bradbury and Scott Wynd of Mint Pool and Landscape Design were approached to design a garden that was just 10 by 10 metres. Another company had pulled out at the last minute and Mint decided to take on what Bradbury describes as “probably the most intense, scary and rewarding project I have ever worked on”. Without the constraints of a client brief, Bradbury and Wynd set their own: a garden for an inner city courtyard, where the owner could get away from work, trafﬁc and neighbours. It needed to be an oasis allowing for relaxing, a place to eat and drink with friends, connect with the garden and wind down in a hot spa. “This was never going to be a garden full of paving and walls,” says Bradbury. “It had to have big, green leafy plants all around you that felt like they were coming in for a big hug.” The central space, on the other hand, had to be about dining. “We wanted the entire garden to revolve

around the idea of people coming together around food and drink and we wanted the garden to be an integral part of that. That’s why we had numerous herbs within arm’s reach of the dining table and chillis growing in the recycled timber wall.” The overarching inspiration for the space came from the many cafés in Collingwood, Melbourne. With new coffee shops springing up almost every week, Mint was intrigued by how these café owners were repurposing all sorts of materials to ﬁt out their shops in a bid to keep costs down. “We loved how these spaces fused the old and the new to create edgy but warm interiors,” says Bradbury. “We couldn’t help but think about how we could do something similar in an inner city courtyard. So it was kind of obvious for us that we should take this idea to the Garden Show and design a café-inspired, very ‘Melbourne’ garden in a 10 by 10-metre space.” The garden had to be inviting, so it was clear to Mint that they had to use warm timbers. And this is where

OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

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left – Warm timber adds a welcoming feel. right – A spa with inﬁnity edge was added to ‘up’ the build.

OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

that café interior mentality really came to the fore. “Due to time constraints we couldn’t fish around for a supplier to provide timber for the garden, so we just went and found a whole bunch of timber offcuts from a timber yard and stuck those randomly onto a wall.” The result was an intricate recycled timber wall that sliced through the garden and became the cornerstone of the design. “We set those natural timber tones against strong blacks, so nothing else competed with that wall,” says Bradbury. “Black has a way of sitting back in the landscape and, let’s face it, it’s damn sexy too.” The biggest challenges Mint faced with the design came in two guises. The first was designing a garden that looked robust yet was essentially a set design. Bradbury and Wynd decided to add a spa with an infinity edge to up the complexity of the build. “I’d love to say that we found a cost-effective, lightweight and easily installed resolution,” says Bradbury, “but we didn’t. It was just built out of old-

fashioned bricks and mortar… and waterproofing and tiles and a 60-millimetre thick acrylic window. This is one of the downsides of putting something together in under five weeks.” The other challenge was getting all of the finer details of the garden together, something in which Mint isn’t usually involved. This included pulling together lighting, cheeseboards, wine bottles and glasses, towels, small pots, rustic planters for herbs and special types of chillis. “Looking back on it, we’re incredibly proud of that garden and what we managed to achieve in such a short period of time,” says Bradbury. “What struck me most was how much the public loved it too. We’ve never had so many comments about a show garden as we did with this design and that was extremely gratifying. The garden won the trophy for Best in Show too, so that was pretty cool. It’s always nice to come home with some silverware after all that hard work.”

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left – Natural timber tones sit against strong blacks. far right – Mint was tasked with gathering the ﬁner details including bottles and glasses to set the scene.

OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

IMPRACTICALLY PERFECT Now a perfect blend of modern and traditional, this garden underwent an extensive renovation. PHOTOGRAPHY – JOEL BARBITTA AND D-MAX PHOTOGRAPHY

The owners of this property in Mount Lawley, just outside of Perth, initially approached landscape design practice Outside In with a brief that focused on the front yard. However, this quickly ﬂipped and attention turned to the backyard that was completely underutilised and impractical due to the steep slope from back boundary to residence, explains Denise Staffa, designer and director at Outside In. “Adding to the impracticality of the garden was the location of the existing limestone retaining wall and awkward, uncomfortable limestone steps,” she says. “The clients wanted a pool that had spacious surrounds for ease of movement, ample pool storage equipment area and focal points. “As there was nowhere to comfortably sit outside nor ample covered space, the need for a functional, practical outdoor living area to entertain, cook, dine, relax and watch the footy was high priority.” The idea was to create a space to share and enjoy with family and friends, and create lifelong memories.

An area close to the house for kids’ activities was also important, yet it couldn’t look too childish in appearance, as it needed to be a space that would evolve as they grew older. The home itself is a Federation-style property and sits within the Heritage listing area of the City of Stirling. Rules and regulations for the design applied to the front landscape design, but not the rear. However, Staffa wanted to create a design that is timeless and transitional. “My vision was to carefully map out two distinct areas that would be functional, practical and liveable to suit the design brief requirements,” she says. “The extensive retaining required to do this was to ensure balance of height differences between each design layer – we had to excavate around 280 cubic metres of excess dirt out of the backyard to make good levels as per my landscape plan.” The design composition is of simple clean lines, pure form and a neutral colour scheme using light and warm

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OUTSIDE

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THE SPACES

left – Clean lines and netural colours form the basis of the design. right – Spotted gum timber decking adds rich texture.

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tones of soft grey and rich brown, which are typical of a transitional, mid modern century design. “An asymmetrical layout forms the main outdoor living area on one side, balanced by adding textural and eye-catching focal points on the other that are not too heavy, creating harmonious balance between each side,” says Staffa. She over-scaled the transition between the two split-levels to draw attention to its connection with the residence. It also creates emphasis and hierarchy to the main outdoor living area, which was crucial as there is only a small back door from the kitchen with larger double doors at the right side of the residence. Large expanses of spotted gum timber decking add rich textures and built-in seating creates valuable sitting nooks in practical spaces for both the adults and the children, which will be well used as the design adapts to a growing family.

“As there was nowhere to comfortably sit outside nor ample covered space, the need for a functional, practical outdoor living area to entertain, cook, dine, relax and watch the footy was high priority.”

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THE PEOPLE

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Everything’s peachy Outside meets Fran Hale, landscape designer and founder of Melbourne-based Peachy Green to discover the latest landscaping trends and her favourite spaces to design. Portrait – Lillie Thompson Projects – Dave Kulesza

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A LANDSCAPE DESIGNER? I was very into fashion design and had spent my high school career dreaming about and designing garments. While I loved the fabric, I was unfortunately not patient enough for sewing and would often enlist my mum to finish off my projects. Post school I looked around for other options within the design field and landed upon landscape. Having grown up in a family of true blue green thumbs, I figured plants and trees would make a suitable subject matter and had a feelgood factor that I thought would be good for the soul. TELL US ABOUT PEACHY GREEN: WHEN DID YOU ESTABLISH THE STUDIO AND WHAT IS YOUR GUIDING ETHOS? After working and learning from different landscape designers I felt ready to set out on my own in 2007. My guiding ethos is to bring the wonder of plants and nature into people’s homes. It is so nice to retreat to your home and have it feel peaceful and rejuvenating and I think a beautiful green garden makes the home breathe. To look out a window and see green, or to step out and experience the garden with all your senses in all the seasons, is a joy and I love seeing how happy a garden (or even just a pot plant) makes people feel.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH AS A LANDSCAPE DESIGNER? I am led by the site and the project. The style of architecture, lives of the inhabitants and surrounding neighbourhood environment often already tell a strong story. I feel it is sometimes almost obvious what needs to happen with the garden to make it all feel like it is just meant to be. WHERE DO YOU START WITH A NEW PROJECT? If a project looks and sounds interesting we book an on-site consultation to meet the clients, look at the project together and hear about the hopes for the space. We offer our professional vision at that time and if everyone is in sync and getting good vibes about the potential we move into a concept design stage. SUSTAINABILITY IS A HUGE TOPIC WITHIN LANDSCAPE DESIGN – HOW DO YOU BRING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRACTICES INTO YOUR WORK? For me it is about building robust landscapes that will last and age beautifully. Using natural materials, local stone and timber, planting lush but water sensitive and hardy species that will thrive in the aspect and soil type and will shade, cool and protect the house. We look to improve the soils by cultivating and enriching the existing microbiome with composted organic matter

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THE PEOPLE

and organic mulches. And, of course, harvesting water wherever possible to irrigate the garden. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE KINDS OF SPACES TO DESIGN? Families creating their forever home, where there is perhaps a touch of architectural genius happening. Living areas opening onto and intrinsically connected to the outdoor spaces, making the garden an integral part of how the home works and ﬂows. WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN AUSTRALIA? Lush and green – almost every client says these words to

me. People’s homes are a precious balance of built form, curated objects and the feeling of space. To have greenery growing, climbing and dripping off every possible outdoor, and sometimes indoor, surface is a must. Natural landscapes are big, recreating that connection to the natural world. Important for me is the relationship and composition of different plant palettes to achieve a gorgeous, sensory interplay between foliage, colour, texture, ﬂuffy, glossy, strappy, bold and subtle. Arranging plants together to see how they complement each other is really like icing and decorating a magniﬁcent cake, and truly a great joy to see the endless combinations and possibilities throughout the seasons.

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SPONSORED CONTENT – UNIQUE FIREPITS

A SPACE TO ENTERTAIN The jewel in the crown of this outdoor area is the Teppanyaki Fire Pit by Unique Fire Pits.

The owners of this Brisbane home wanted to transform their backyard into a more usable space that would enable them to entertain guests during the cooler months. They especially wanted to incorporate a fire bowl that could double as a cooking facility. Aesthetic Pools and Landscapes’ solution was to design a fire/ seating area that would provide a space worthy of entertaining in and also provide a link to their internal bar. Unique Firepit’s versatile Teppanyaki fire pit was chosen as the main feature of the space, allowing the owners to gather around

to cook up a meal with friends and to keep comfortable when the temperature drops. Handmade by co-founder Ricardo Fioravanti in Ryde, Sydney, the fire pit’s bowl is made from cast iron, while the top plate, which is laser cut for precision, is made from eight-millimetre hardened steel. Not only is the Teppanyaki a fire pit, it also acts as a barbecue and a coffee table once the lid is placed on top, making it a practical and stylish addition to any outdoor space.

OUTSIDE

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THE FEATURES

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Is your outdoor space summer ready? With summer officially underway, it’s time to head outside and begin preparing your yard for a fun-filled season of grilling and gathering IMAGE – GO MODERN FURNITURE

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THE FEATURES

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left – 123RF’s ronstik © 123RF.com opposite top left – photo © Solus Decor opposite top right – 123RF’s bubutu © 123RF.com opposite bottom –photo © Kogan.

Lazy afternoons and long evenings spent relaxing outdoors, sipping cold drinks and sharing food with friends… you may be ready for the summer days ahead, but is your outside space? Follow these hints and tips to get your home ready for the season ahead. REFRESH YOUR DECK It’s an obvious (and time consuming) chore, but before you do anything else it’s important to thoroughly cleanse your outdoor space and any furniture and decorative items. If last summer’s frivolities left your deck looking a little on the tired side, now is the time to get it back up to scratch. Give it a good sweep and a mop and check for wood warping, cracking or rotting – localised problems are easy to repair, but check with a timber expert if you think you have a more serious problem. Re-oil or stain it if needed. If you have tiled or concrete spaces, give these a quick sweep before a good pressure wash. PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE Whether you’ve just invested in some new outdoor furniture or want to revive your existing pieces, there are a number of measures you can take to keep your furniture looking good under the Australian sun. For timber, give it a brush down and use a special cleaner to avoid scarring the surface. If there is obvious mould or mildew, a light sand may be needed

followed by oil. For painted timber furniture, you’ll need to clean and lightly sand the surface to remove any ﬂakes of old paint before applying a primer and a new coat of paint. If your furniture is made from teak, you chose well, as it is naturally durable and weather resistant. Simply use a weak solution of regular laundry detergent to wash away any dirt. Teak has a high level of natural oils, so it’s best to avoid using sealers and cleaners, as these can oversaturate the wood and promote the growth of mildew. Most metal outdoor furniture today is powdercoated, meaning a simple wipe with a clean cloth is all that’s needed to restore it to its shiny former glory. For wrought iron or aluminium, use a non-abrasive cloth and a metal polishing paste. Sealed cast iron furniture will only need a new protective coat before it goes back into summer use. If you opted for a more traditional look in your garden and invested in wicker furniture, use a soft bristled brush to get in between the gaps in the weave and help loosen any dirt. Upkeep of wicker is mostly about regular cleaning throughout the year, otherwise be prepared to put in some elbow grease before welcoming guests! LIGHT IT UP When the sun goes down, accent and ambient lighting can create an inviting space that lures you to stay

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outside for longer. Start by thinking about how you use your outdoor space and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. Entertain frequently? Choose ambient lighting that lights up an entire space. This could be via wall lights or downlights that ﬂood an area. If you’d like something a little more romantic or to highlight a particular feature in your space, accent lighting is the way to go. Consider uplighting around a fountain or plants, path lights or decorative string lights. Don’t forget about task lighting either – you may need a spotlight over a barbecue or food preparation area or even a pendant to hang over a dining table. KEEP IT COOL If the thought of the summer heat is already bringing you out in a sweat, but the idea of hiding out in the house with the air-con cranked up isn’t appealing either, the good news is there are plenty of ways you can keep cool outdoors. Shade is the most obvious remedy to scorching sunlight, and can reduce heat considerably. An easy and portable option is an umbrella, which you can

move around as the sun’s path washes over your outdoor space. If you’d prefer to cover a larger space and keep the umbrella in situ, cantilever umbrellas are a good, sturdy option and can be angled in numerous directions. Shade sails offer another easy way to provide shelter from the Aussie heat and they also add a decorative note of their own. They’re handy for patios, pools and decks, and can sit at different angles. Just make sure you work out where the sun and shadows hit in your outdoor space before installing one. If you don’t have any grass in your yard, think about choosing an outdoor rug to protect your feet from the burn of timber or concrete. Outdoor rugs are growing in popularity and there are countless designs and fabrics to choose from. Select lighter shades to reﬂect the sun’s rays and opt for one large area rug or place a couple of smaller rugs where foot trafﬁc is heaviest and hottest. For a more refreshing cool down option, consider investing in a misting fan or a portable evaporative cooler.

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Size doesn’t matter Whether you have a small balcony or an acre of land to play with, there are plenty of styling and furnishing tips and tricks to be able to maximise on the space year-round. IMAGE – 123RF’S KRITCHANUT © 123RF.COM

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THE BIG SPACES Divide and conquer With a larger space, the best starting point is to determine which areas are functional for relaxing and entertaining, versus those that are better for play or planting. Any avid entertainer will know the struggles of an outdoor setting being placed on a sandy slope, and sunlight will be important when considering the kinds of plants and herbs you want to purchase. While division of space is important, there should still be a link – with pavers or decking, for example – to ensure it doesn’t feel disjointed overall. Mix master The joy of a large space is that you can mix materials, textures and colours without overwhelming the space. From assigning concrete pavers to more formal areas like the walkways, to sand or woodchips for the kids’ play area, you’re able to deﬁne each space and its purpose through the materials and furnishings within it. Family friendly Summer months are often encompassed by sunny afternoons kicking a football on the lawn, and even getting the neighbours around for a barbecue. The last thing you want when you set the kids loose on the yard is to be stressing about a stray football landing in the rose garden. Try and create a space that’s dedicated for sport or play, as well as even getting youngsters involved in the gardening with a veggie patch or herb garden.

Come dine with me It’s no fun getting stuck in the corner of the garden manning the barbecue or grill, while your guests are catching up out of earshot. While the food prep space needs to be functional (and not end up sending smoke over everyone), it should still feel part of the outdoor dining space so that you can easily mill about with family and friends. With your outdoor furniture, in a bigger space the opportunities are endless. Bench seating lets you cram plenty of people around the table, but individual chairs and outdoor sofas allow you to mix and match settings as needed.

THE LITTLE SPACES Balcony living With so many of us embracing apartment living, there’s no reason to sacriﬁce on greenery just because you don’t have a backyard to call your own. If you’re planning to use your balcony all year round, this will impact the kinds of materials and plants you should choose. Be sure to pick powdercoated aluminium furniture that’s more durable in the elements, and invest in upkeep to the ﬁnishes – a simple stain or varnish does wonders to a weatheredlooking screen or decking. Go vertical From the avid green thumb to someone who simply wants a few herbs handy for their weekday dinner, a

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vertical garden is a great way to maximise on space and add that vibrant jolt of greenery to the balcony. Getting plants off the ground will also maximise on space. Hang potted plants from railings or from the ceiling – that way you can use the ﬂoor space for furniture. You could even opt for plants like climbers, which will grow vertically rather than taking over the space entirely. Upright plants like reeds or bamboo can double as a privacy screening – looking good and providing a function are a winning pair in conﬁned quarters! Fine lines In smaller spaces, choose furniture with thin lines and open weaves that won’t block out any natural light so that the area still feels light and airy. This goes for your plant choices too. Anything with thicker, larger leaves may close up the space too much, while fernlike plants sitting on wire planters aren’t as heavy on the eye. Creature comforts For those looking for a space that encourages maximum relaxation – on a balcony or in an extra small yard space – it’s all about the soft furnishings. From swing chairs with cushions to day beds, wicker furniture and even hammocks, these will all create a space perfect for decompressing after a long day. Even better,

most of these can easily brave the weather so you don’t need to worry about packing things away each day. ALL SHAPES AND SIZES Find your purpose No matter the size of the outdoor area, be sure to establish a purpose from the get-go. Is it going to be used primarily for outdoor dining? How about somewhere to simply grow greenery and herbs? Prioritising your needs is particularly important in a smaller space because this will help you avoid over-furnishing and making it feel crowded. With a larger block of land, you’ll have more space to play with, so it’ll be more a case of deﬁning each area to help with styling, furniture, and plants. Sense of style If you already have a well-established style within your interior, use this to help inform your outdoor space. This will create a seamless ﬂow between the two areas – and is especially important if you intend to use the space as a second, outdoor dining area. As well as the interiors of your home, take time to consider the wider environment and how this may tie in with your styling choices. Are you overlooking the coast and want to encapsulate a nautical theme? Are you living in the heart of the city, so need an oasis that contrasts with the urban sprawl? Taking cues from your surroundings will help as you start to build out the space.

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Green living Whether you’re designing a new outdoor living space or looking for inspiration to transform your current one, designing with sustainability in mind can lower your home’s environmental impact and save you money. IMAGE – 123RF’S VICTORIA SHIBUT © 123RF.COM

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What springs to mind when you hear the phrase ‘sustainable garden’? Perhaps rows of solar panels or the thought of never again turning on your garden hose? But that doesn’t have to be the case. Both introducing sustainable practices and maintaining them are much easier than you may think and can be as grand or as modest as you like. Eco-friendly gardening combats the main concerns of climate change: depleting water reserves, wildlife habitat destruction, loss of diversity and chemically contaminated produce. DESIGNING THE SPACE The ﬁrst thing to consider when embarking on a green mission is the type of sustainability you would like to introduce into your garden, says Alisha Tummons, director of design and construction development at AT Garden Spaces. “The list is endless, but some of the more common and initial elements you can introduce are water tanks, a veggie patch, a worm compost bin or even a small pot of herbs,” she says. “Whenever you introduce a sustainable process that does not need the use of an outsourced service – for example, water from your mains – you are practising sustainability in your home.”

LANDSCAPE SURFACES One of the most eco-friendly things you can do in a garden is decrease rainwater run-off. If you’re undertaking a hardscape project, consider a permeable surface that captures rainwater in the garden. Decomposed granite (DG) is a good option. Not only is it permeable, versatile and aesthetically pleasing with its soft, golden brown colour, it’s also inexpensive, making it a good choice if you have a large area to cover. Similar to gravel, DG is ﬁner and generally more stable. It’s formed from the natural weathering and erosion of solid granite, a hard igneous rock. DG can also be used as mulch at the base of trees to keep the ground weed-free. Another great choice for your hardscape is pea gravel: a small stone found near bodies of water. It has a smooth texture, which is the result of natural weathering and comes in a range of colours such as buff, rust brown, grey, white and even translucent. If you’re designing a patio, pool deck or walkways, choose low-maintenance, durable paving stones that can be easily swept clean of debris and won’t need to be power washed, therefore saving water. Pavers have a non-slip surface, making them perfect for use around a pool or water feature.

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For a classic look, bricks make attractive paths and terraces, and are easy to install. There are now so-called ‘carbon neutral bricks’, which are fired in kilns using an alternative fuel to coal or gas. Such fuels may be waste sawdust from nearby timber mills or fly ash (fine particles that are expelled as waste from the boiler). Across the brickmaking industry there are also efforts to reduce carbon emissions in transport, clay extraction, waste and packaging. FURNITURE While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, teak is often sustainably sourced and will stand the test of time in your garden. It’s also resilient against mould, mildew and weather, making it a good investment piece that won’t need to be chemically cleaned. Up-cycling your own existing furniture and accessories is also an excellent way to keep things green. “Always try to reuse and recycle, whether its something you already own or is in the garden,” says Tummons. “Giving it a new lease of life is much better than buying something new, including plants. We also like to work with materials that have been sustainably sourced, reclaimed and organic, such as timbers, mulches, soils and composts.”

If wood furnishings aren’t to your taste style-wise, consider pieces made from stainless steel or aluminium that have been designed for disassembly. This means they can be repaired, refurbished or recycled down the track. Wherever possible, look for local companies or craftspeople who make and sell eco-friendly furniture for use outdoors. By doing so, you will avoid contributing to the carbon emissions involved in shipping furniture from overseas. OUTDOOR COOKING What’s an Australian summer without a barbie? Outdoor entertaining is one of the highlights of the season, but how do you grill sustainably? Well, there are myriad options you can choose from that are more environmentally friendly. While conventional charcoal is additive laden, natural lump charcoal is made from 100 percent cooked wood such a spruce and pine, making it less harmful. As a bonus, it provides a nice, smoky ﬂavour. Gas grills also beat charcoal grills when it comes to carbon emissions. While propane and natural gas are non-renewable, they do keep the air cleaner and the climate cooler than charcoal. If your energy comes from green sources, such as wind, solar or hydro, you could also consider an electric grill.

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Light my fire The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the great outdoors is the key to Australian hearts. Here’s how you can combine the two to enjoy endless alfresco dinners. IMAGE – 123RF’S ALEXANDRE ZVEIGER © 123RF.COM

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The perfect way to bring the indoors outside, outdoor kitchens are fast becoming one of the hottest trends in landscaping. With the cost of houses rising and blocks becoming ever smaller, it’s no surprise that people are extending their homes by creating functional alfresco areas for year round enjoyment. LOCATION, LOCATION Deciding on the size, location and layout are the natural place to begin your outdoor kitchen journey. “You don’t want to be tucked away in a corner while your guests are inside,” says Toby Ewert, director of design practice Ewert Leaf. “It’s meant to be part of entertaining, so making it feel like an extension of the house creates a more organic ﬂow, and lets atmosphere blur between inside and outside. “Being able to jump between interior and exterior quickly is handy when preparing more complex meals. The opportunity to be partially undercover is a great addition – particularly in Melbourne. It’s not

much fun being the one cooking in the rain in those winter months!” Outdoor spaces are more likely than ever to complement a home’s architectural aesthetic and environment and, as Ewert says, are all about expanding the entertaining aspect of your home. “One of the best ways to ensure your kitchen ﬂows seamlessly from within the house is by integrating into the landscaping, so the built form speaks to the residence,” he says. “Subtle references to internal ﬁnishes – for instance, using a stone matching internal kitchen bench on the prep surface outside – create a considered continuity throughout the property. Spatial consideration, and importantly viewpoints to the garden, particularly if there is a pool, are important.” CHOOSING APPLIANCES Are you a passionate foodie and want to cook up a storm of gourmet dishes? Or will you be mainly be

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catering for family and groups of friends? Deciding how you will use the space will not only help determine the type of appliances you need, but also how much prepping space and storage to plan for. According to Rob Sinclair, managing director of e&s, one of the bigger trends the appliance retailer is seeing is, “a move towards a true outdoor kitchen”. “Customers are now not just installing a barbecue, but ovens, cooktops, range hoods, sinks, taps, refrigeration and dishwashers in their alfresco areas,” he says. However, warns Sinclair, customers need to be aware that not all products are designed for outdoor use, and they must make sure to select appropriate products for the conditions in which they will be used. “I recommend dedicated outdoor equipment, for example, Sub-Zero Wolf has a specially designed outdoor fridge, warming drawer and wok burner to match its barbecue. Husky has a great selection of outdoor bar and wine fridges, and Sirius has a range of specially designed outdoor range hoods, including a

new under cupboard model,” he adds. Another trend seen in outdoor kitchens is the installation of smokers, wood-fired pizza ovens and South American style grills. “Working in both hospitality and residential design, we’ve noticed that as the trend for exposed restaurant kitchens has grown so too has the number of home chefs taking inspiration from the experts and experimenting with more complex barbecue and cooking techniques at home,” says Ewert. “Installing a smoker or wood-fired pizza oven lifts the outdoor kitchen experience to another level, and creates a sense of theatre to a dining experience. And it will certainly make an impact on guests.” Ewert also recommends using a few key beautiful finishes as another great way to elevate the space – it may be as subtle as using a contemporary dark brick instead of the traditional red that contrasts against the surrounding greenery, or a natural stone with integrated appliances rather than freestanding.

left – A partially undercover kitchen is a great addition for unpredictable weather. right – Wolf’s indoor/ outdoor warming drawer and barbecue.

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Taking the plunge There’s nothing quite like splashing around in the water when the sun is beating down. Outside takes a look at how to choose the coolest pool for your space. IMAGE – 123RF’S SKDESIGN © 123RF.COM

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Despite shrinking lots, homeowners are still keen to make the most of their outdoor spaces with the temptation of a cool pool to dive into in the summer months hard to resist. While the pool used to be the focal point of a garden, we’re now seeing more and more space being taken over by outdoor kitchens and living spaces. As a result, smaller plunge pools, spas and swim spas are gaining in popularity for those wanting to make the most of their gardens. A plunge pool is smaller than a regular pool yet bigger than a spa – with seating and the option of hydrotherapy jets to massage aching muscles. It’s an ideal medium space solution, as it combines the best qualities of a pool with the bubbles of a spa. If you want to get some laps in this summer, consider installing a swim spa; these generate a continuous, powerful current for you to swim against. There’s no need to touch the wall and turn – just keep on swimming. It also doubles as a relaxing space to unwind or to entertain friends in like a regular spa. If space is tight, you’ll be likely to go down the

regular spa route. While spas may conjure up thoughts of cheesy 1970s movies, designs have moved on and many spas are now inspired by modern architecture. For those with larger lots, the options for full- or half-sized pools are endless. But there are number of considerations to bear in mind when it comes to selecting and installing a pool. Dominic Schuiling, owner of Momentum Pools, gives his advice. MAXIMISING SPACE Pool design is an extension of current building trends. Ever larger homes are being built on smaller blocks of land with ever appreciating market value. As a result, the area available to build a swimming pool is increasingly compressed. New planning regulations and advances in technology and construction methods mean pools can now be built along property and building boundaries to maximise the use of space. This is a long way removed from the pools of the 70s and 80s that often form the touchstone by which

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current pool purchases draw. Everyone either had their own pool or a neighbour’s pool where they would congregate as kids. Those were the days of quarteracre blocks and free-form pools built in the centre of the backyard: compare this to sub 600-metre square blocks, and full perimeter fencing. Hence much of our initial design advice is centred on positioning the pool and pool fence to make best use of the available area. This can be summarised as follows: • Build the pool in an area that won’t section off a large area of your backyard. • On small blocks, build against the property boundary – that means you can use the existing boundary fence as part of the pool fence detail. • Reduce the size of the area within the pool fence, as it’s not usable outside of summer and if your kids are using the area within the pool fence, you will always need an adult to supervise their activities. • You don’t need full perimeter access to the pool. Single or double-sided access to the pool is all that is required. This also applies to full perimeter paving surrounds. • Build the pool in an area where it’s most visible from the living areas of the home so you can keep an eye on the kids or view it as a showpiece.

above – Momentum Pools uses a light-coloured pool interior and dark-coloured paving to create a tonal contrast.

DESIGN GUIDELINES • Nobody does laps in a lap pool. • If you have kids, they will always use the pool, so build it with kids in mind. • Domestic pools can’t be made safe to dive in, so don’t consider making the pool safe to do this. Just discourage the practice. • The most used areas of the pool will always be areas where you can sit or lie down below water level. So pay attention to the step, beach and bench areas. • Build areas like spas and steps so they are either built internally within the overall pool shape or half in/half out. It’s not fashionable to build these areas external to the pool form. • There should be a logical progression, so you can transition from the house to the pool. This means locating the exit point from the house, the pool fence gate and pool steps in a sequence that provides continuity for seamless use. • The number one determinant of how often you will use the pool is water temperature. The bigger the pool you build, the more expensive and harder it will be to heat it, irrespective of what method of heating you use. So consider the size of the pool carefully. • Design the pool so it’s an extension of the architecture of your home. If your home is a

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modern rectilinear house, build your pool the same, with right angle corners and straight lines. Ditto for period homes – make use of sweeping radius corners and Roman ended pool shapes, which give a classical look. Integrate the pool into the backyard. If you have a slope to the property, build the pool to take advantage of this. You could use an acrylic viewing window for a backyard and pool raised relative to the house, so you can look into the pool from the living area. Similarly, if your block slopes away from the front to the back, fit a horizon or negative edge. A retaining wall along a property boundary can be incorporated into the pool design through building raised planters along the pool edge. If you’re tight for space and need to build the pool close to the building boundary, build the house on the pool shell and fit floor-to-ceiling fixed windows – the effect can be a showstopper

MATERIAL SELECTION AND POOL AESTHETICS In terms of material selections for the surface finishes – which includes pool paving surround, interior tiles, fencing and feature wall cladding etc – pay attention to the following ideas when designing pools: • Try to balance hard and soft finishes. For instance, if you have a large two-storey rendered home, use pot plants, planters and strip garden beds to break up the paving. Timber batons and decking will also help to soften the hard masonry surfaces. Coarse finishes to cladding on walls can help to add texture to otherwise smooth render and paved finishes. You don’t want your backyard to look like a stone tomb, so consider this aspect of your decision deeply. • Current design trends lean towards largeformat type products with an overall minimalist feel in relation to the number of product selections. • Think hard before you use light coloured paving products outside as they readily stain and discolour. Darker finishes wear staining better. If you have to use a light coloured product, use something with colour mottling or a variegated appearance, as it will be less likely to show staining than uniformly light coloured paving products. • A good colour combo is a light-coloured pool interior and dark-coloured paving. This is especially so if you don’t have a lot of natural light over the pool. If you do have a lot of natural light cast over the pool, you can probably get away with a dark pool interior. • In terms of pool coping, look for large-format products, which have a large vertical cross section to the coping overhang.

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