ALFRESCO KITCHEN

POOL ZONE

OUTDOOR SHOWER

chic seating

outdoor design special

ONCE UPON A TIME, a huge jacaranda tree dominated this beautiful backyard in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Its annual show of purple blooms was stunning, no question, but the tree’s sheer size blocked so much light that darkness reigned in what should have been a suntrap. It had to go, decided new owner and keen gardener Matthew, who had a more practical, light-filled vision for the space, with dreams of a relaxing alfresco lounge as its centrepiece.

“When I first moved in, the yard was a bit of an overgrown mess and the pool was surrounded with cracked, 80s-style terracotta tiles,” recalls Matthew. Sensing defined zones would make the most of the space but unsure about how to achieve this, Matthew called on landscape designer Adam Robinson to work his magic.

The solar-heated pool itself was already in good shape. New bluestone pavers updated the deck and Adam designed a glass panelled fence to optimise views, with the poolside quickly pinpointed as the ideal location for a chilled-out seating zone. Now, a modular ‘Watego’ sofa from Eco Outdoor delivers comfort and colour. “The pool gets a lot of use from September through to May. I love jumping in on hot mornings before work, and when I get home,” says Matthew. “And a glass of red on the poolside sofa is always nice, even in winter.”

Inspired by his own childhood garden, a vegie patch was also high on Matthew’s wish list. Together with Adam, he came up with the idea of raised vegetable beds in corten steel drum planters.“At my mum and dad’s, there were always big tubs of stuff growing,” says Matthew. In his own garden, herbs are the mainstay, but he has also grown corn, carrots, beetroot and berries. “At my best crops were sugar snap peas and snow peas – I ate them straight off the bush.”

A lawn of hardy buffalo grass, kept in check with an old-school push mower, links the rear deck to the brick-paved vegie garden, which is all but concealed by a huge rosemary hedge. “The rosemary plants were ankle-high when I put them in, but I dug in 22 bags of manure and they went berserk – the hedge is now shoulder-height!” he says.

Shared meals are enjoyed in the outdoor dining area year-round, accessed through bi-fold doors that span the width of the house. Friends and family often stop by, including Matthew’s nieces and nephews, who store their pool toys in the small garden shed. Matthew has also taken over as host of the family’s annual Christmas celebration. “Mum isn’t happy that I stole it from her, but everyone votes for my place as we all wind up in the pool after lunch!” he says.

Adam Robinson Design, call 0451 299 920, visit adamrobinsonesign.com.

“I love the functionality of the vegie garden and the deck’s outdoor setting” ~ Matthew, owner

Grow up {above} Designer Adam Robinson had sturdy steel planters made for Matthew’s much-loved raised vegie garden. “Everything is organic and I don’t use any unnatural fertilisers,” says Matthew. Defining the zone are recycled bricks Adam hand-picked from the tip and laid in a herringbone pattern, which works beautifully against the planters’ rusty finish. A Tait ‘Volley Rocker’ chair, positioned in a shady spot beneath a

towering xylosma senticosum hedge, sits on a strip of old timber railway sleepers which divide the vegetable garden from the lawn. >

Pavers Recycled

bricks, $120/sqm,

Adam Robinson Design.

homebeautiful.com.au {OCTOBER} 181

lounge actWith multiple spots fit for relaxed entertaining

– including a poolside sofa and chill-out zone – this Sydney garden is certainly summer-ready

WORDS LEESA MAHER STYLING ADAM ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY

outdoor design special

DESIGN HEROchic seating A hardworking lounge, designed for life under the sun, was an essential for Matthew, who loves to entertain outside. An Eco Outdoor ‘Watego’

modular setting, upholstered in ‘Basics Storm’ outdoor fabric with quick-dry foam cushions, was chosen for

both its durability and good poolside looks. A scattering of cushions from Tait and

Project 82 deliver a welcoming colour splash. >

dining out {above} “This table gets a lot of use, especially in the summertime when I eat out here every day,” says Matthew of the ‘Pelion’ setting from Eco Outdoor. “Even when it’s pouring down, I can still host a big lunch outside.”

A coat of Dulux Whisper White on the ceiling and pine tongue-and-groove wall freshened the indoor-outdoor space, with colour hits provided by Koskela plant pots and tableware,

‘Good One’ stools and an oversized floor cushion, all from Tait. The view from the deck is green and glorious, with a large Japanese maple stealing the show. Matthew chose

hardy palmetto buffalo grass for the lawn as it’s soft underfoot, drought resistant and retains its colour over winter.

casual sEATING {left} The largest of the custom steel planters is topped with a circular bench

seat made from hardwood timber slats, with a pretty frangipani tree at its centre. “Frangipanis are everywhere in Sydney and I just love their fragrance,” says Matthew.

“I sit out there a lot, plus the seat comes in handy when I’m gardening.” A curry leaf tree thrives by the back fence, which

is painted in a dark shade of Dulux Colorbond Woodland Grey to recede into the background. >

Planters Corten steel

planters, $800 each,

Adam Robinson Design.

outdoor design special

184 {OCTOBER 2014} homebeautiful.com.au

PAVE THE WAY Lush creeping campanula flourishes around each of the stepping stones that lead

from the deck through to the vegie garden out the back. “It looks incredible in the springtime when its little purple

flowers appear,” says Matthew. “The pavers almost disappear and you have to tiptoe along the path.” >

Pavers Sawn

bluestone pavers,

$72.20/sqm, Eco Outdoors.

outdoor design special

alfresco kitchen

pool zone

outdoor shower

chic seating

outdoor design special

homebeautiful.com.au {OCTOBER} 189

Frame work {above} To create a sense of intimacy in a large space, frame the seating area with a solid structure, such as a purpose-built pergola, and soften it with a lush climber like jasmine or wisteria. Another option is to define the lounge with flooring different to the rest of the garden – slip-resistant stone flags (try Slate And Stone) are a practical choice.

built-in benefits {right} “Include built-in seating to clearly identify the lounging area within an outdoor space,” suggests landscape designer Josh Harrison. “A large L-shaped bench seat or daybed with custom cushions catches the eye and draws you into the zone.” Incorporating storage into built-in seating is a smart move if you’re pushed for space, or try outdoor furniture that comes ready-equipped, like King Furniture’s ‘Delta’ range.

level best Play with different levels in your outdoor lounge room, advises landscape architect Asher McGuckin of Secret Gardens. “If the space allows, dropping a level to create a sunken lounge delivers privacy as well as instant cosiness,” she explains. A firepit makes an enticing focal point and allows you to enjoy your outdoor lounge year-round.

Sun spots {below} Take advantage of warm weather by positioning a comfy daybed against a sunny wall for relaxed reclining. For added flexibility, look for lightweight chairs that can be easily shifted indoors if more seating is temporarily required; these wire-framed butterfly chairs are ideal – try the canvas range at Muumuu Designs.

prime position {above} It goes without saying that all lounging spaces should be inviting but functional, so it’s important to plan their location wisely. “Consider how the natural elements, such as the wind and rain, can impact upon your lounge and plan accordingly,” suggests Asher. Even an open-sided structure can deliver some protection, particularly if sited on the side of the house, away from prevailing winds.

pulling power {above} A well-designed sitting spot will help draw your guests outside, says Asher. “Visually extend your interiors by locating a lounging area in a place where it can be seen from inside and will catch your visitors’ attention.”

light the night Once the sun has gone down, a considered lighting design will ensure an alfresco lounge room is equally welcoming after dark. “Avoid lighting outdoor lounges with just a floodlight. Instead, opt for a subtle design that illuminates multiple positions within the space,” suggests Josh. Flameless pillar candles are a neat addition for added outdoor ambience.

DESIGN HERO

Plan a stylish outdoor sitting area that delivers intimacy and comfort in all seasons

gallerychic seating

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