Outdoor Design

The most engaging gardens will have a sense of place, looking as if they were “meant to be” rather than a hasty after-thought. They will be like a wellwritten symphony in which each element is in perfect harmony with the other — and with the home the

With the resurgence of interest in mid-20th-century modern design and an embracing of industrial chic, concrete is being used in increasingly interesting and engaging ways in the garden. Cantilevered concrete benches and dining tables that seem to ho

You’ve finally decided on the hard materials, accessories, layout, and set the theme for your garden. But how do you work out what plants to put in and where they should go? A common approach is to head to the local nursery and buy what you like the

This was a garden that relied on clipped plants for definition and form and a green-on-green planting scheme for year-round interest. From the double box hedge used as a backdrop for the main garden to the espalier employed as a feature wall, The Gre

A swimming pool has long been a quintessential part of the Australian outdoor living experience, but today we expect a lot more from our pools. No longer just a place to cool down or somewhere for the kids to play, a pool is the centre of outdoor ent

Designed by Brent Reid of Candeo Design, Do the NT used feature rock, red desert sand, timber and a palette heavily featuring ochre tones to conjure images of the Northern Territory. The garden was carved into three levels, the highest featuring a cu

Demonstrating that a minimalist design need not be devoid of warmth, A Garden Called Frank presented an elegant and modern interpretation of what an outdoor living space can be. Created by BLAC’s principal designer, Peta Donaldson, and master builder

An ornate, old-fashioned metal gate led to a freeform garden featuring meadow-style plantings. Winding paths, finished in crushed-stone toppings, led past garden beds featuring a heady mix of flowering Australian natives (such as kangaroo paws, nativ

Right of Way, designed by Daniel Tyrrell Landscapes, took the focus away from our backyards and placed it in our long-forgotten laneways. Daniel was inspired by the bluestone-paved laneways which still exist in some Melbourne suburbs and are, in many

Based on a fictionalised memory of a charming, plant-filled English garden visited during childhood, Reflection showcased designer Ian Barker’s penchant for natural gardens awash with perennials. The story behind the design was a grandparents’ garden

Injecting a bit of fantasy into this year’s show, Find Your Balance evoked a sense of wonder and sparked the imagination of the viewer. Presented by Beyond Blue and designed by Christian Jenkins of the Landscape Design Group, the garden featured a po

A design of many parts, Abscindere targeted a modern audience with its emphasis on distinct yet seamlessly linked, low-maintenance spaces that could be enjoyed day or night. Jake Stone of Landscape Lab designed Abscindere (which translates to “fragme

The Ohana garden, designed by Georgia Harper Landscape Design and built by The Garden Company, was a fresh departure from many of the gardens on show. Designed to mimic a 1960s Hawaiian beach party movie set, it had a very strong mid-century modern i

Named for its fluid design, What Goes Around was a major drawcard at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. A key feature of the garden, created by Inovasis Design, was a GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) seat, its sinuous form ideal

Each year, Landscaping Victoria hosts a Boutique Gardens Competition in conjunction with the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Finalists are given a modest 5m x 5m space in which to build a garden that pushes design boundaries and showcas

Attending a garden show can be a wonderful way to keep abreast of current design trends, as well as be inspired by new and interesting ways of using plants. Nature showcased a diverse array of plants, many used in novel ways, and demonstrated how muc

Designed and constructed by Franklin Landscape & Design, this remarkable resort-style landscape claims a prized waterfront location on the Gold Coast. When designing this impressive project, David Franklin, known for his classic contemporary designs,

We expect a great deal from our outdoor spaces. Not only do they need to look good, they need to be just as enjoyable to use on a chilly winter’s night as they are on a hot summer’s day. In this alfresco retreat, designed by Chris Weiss, director of

When space is in short supply, you don’t need to forgo the pleasure of having a pool. Nor do you need to despair if your garden is oddly shaped, because you can still create comfortable outdoor living spaces. These were the challenges faced — and suc

Boasting a bold yet understated design, this courtyard makes the most of the limited outdoor space. “The owners asked us to turn a cold, never-used courtyard into an inviting, liveable and functional space with a plunge pool for the summer months. Fl

When designing the outdoor spaces around this residence, Moto Kihara of Kihara Landscapes worked directly with Rex Lin Architects, the firm responsible for the design of the house. This was a very close, collaborative effort, with the architect valui

When designing this outdoor living space, Brenton Stokes from Intrinsic Landscapes took inspiration from the bold, hip gardens you find in South Florida, giving the Melbourne garden a vibrant feel and more than a dash of Miami chic. “The owners wante

When the owners of this contemporary family home met with Josh Hooper of Landscape Techniques, they already had a few design ideas of their own, and some specific requests. Chiefly, they wanted a large lawn and familysized swimming pool in the rear g

Golf anyone? How about a refreshing dip in the swimming pool? Or maybe a freshly cooked barbecued meal followed by a few drinks in the lounge area? The owners of this Perth home can do all of this, and more, any time they like, thanks to their modern

When you are blessed with such a breathtaking water-side location, you need to do everything you can to maximise the view and ensure a seamless connection between house, garden and water’s edge. While this property overlooking Sydney’s Middle Harbour

The design brief given to Matthew Leacy of Landart Landscapes and Pools was to create a family-friendly space that was functional, good for entertaining and appealed to all ages. As the block had a steep slope, it was essential that the change in lev

Ensuring an easy flow from inside to out is always a priority when designing a garden, as is capturing pleasing vistas that can be enjoyed when looking out from the home. Such was the case with this renovated Californian bungalow, the rear wall of wh

The owners of this home in Box Hill North, east of Melbourne, turned to Inge Jabara of Inge Jabara Landscapes to design a multi-functional, multigenerational garden that would give the family a fresh perspective and an enhanced outdoor lifestyle. Wid

The homeowners wanted a casual, contemporary entertaining space with a swimming pool. They also wanted a space where the children could play and as there was a clear view of the entire backyard from the indoor living areas, it was essential that the

When you’re blessed with a stunning water view, you need to do everything you can to enhance it, which was precisely what the owners of this property in Lorne, a seaside town on Louttit Bay in Victoria, did. Working to a design by Tim Nicholas of TNL

For an experienced landscape designer like Anthony Bennett of ABS Landscape Services, a sloping garden isn’t a problem — it’s an opportunity to create something unique. The owners of this property in the Melbourne suburb of Surrey Hills wanted a swim

Although the rear garden accounted for roughly a quarter of the block, it was rarely used as it felt removed from the house. With three young children, the owners wanted to create an area where they could spend time with family and friends, and a swi

Having decided that this was their “forever” house, the owners wanted to visually and practically increase the outdoor living space so that both lounging and dining could be enjoyed on the verandah. The area needed to be weatherproofed and the style

Finding space to entertain or relax outdoors is not always easy when you live in the city. For those who live in an apartment, the challenge can be even greater. The solution? Head up to the roof and turn what is often an unused space into an outdoor

On the must-have list for this rural property were a luxury swimming pool and inviting outdoor living spaces, all of which had to be created on a site with wonderful views but a tricky slope. The brief given to PTA Landscapes was to integrate the pla

Having tired of their outdated garden, the owners of this rambling river-front property looked to Denis Fitzpatrick of Green Survival to rejuvenate their outdoor spaces. This proved to be a wide-ranging task for which the owners gave Denis carte blan

Keen to make the most of their small rear garden, the owners of this townhouse in south Sydney called on Samuel Ward of Metropolitan Landscapes to give them the modern-rustic outdoor haven they craved. Fed up with their uneven, tired-looking old deck

Thanks to the construction expertise, horticultural knowledge and eco-savvy of Graham Taylor, director of Distinctive Landscapes, one very happy family is able to enjoy all the benefits of a country-style market garden — replete with bee hive, chooks

Contemporary or traditional, small inner-city courtyard or large country estate, A Total Concept, a company specialising in landscape architecture and swimming pool design, can help with any design project anywhere in Australia. Thanks to Shaun Wrigh

The owners of this stylish swimming pool, designed and built by Malibu Pools and Landscapes, wanted to recreate, in their own backyard, the resort experience they had enjoyed during a recent holiday. The calming Ocean Blue of the ceramic waterline ti

With Thermofilm’s innovative heating solutions, there’s no need to abandon your outdoor area in the cooler months or compromise its style with bulky freestanding heaters. HEATSTRIP® Classic is a stylish electric radiant heater that provides even and

Outdoor lighting can bring with it beauty, warmth and ambience, and illuminate areas for safety. Award-winning garden designer Myles Baldwin says outdoor lighting is a definite value-add. “In real estate it’s a massive advantage when selling a home t

When the chill of winter arrives, many people pack up their outdoor entertaining areas and head indoors. But with the growing number of new modern heaters as well as time-honoured outdoor heating alternatives, you can stay snug and enjoy extended mon

Lighting has become an essential part of any quality landscape — not just an afterthought once the project has been completed. Established in 1989, Gardens at Night specialises in the design of premium lighting systems and the manufacture of speciali

A sculpture can be a delightful surprise, tucked into a corner of the garden like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Or it can unashamedly be the main event. If it’s the former, there’s a certain pleasure in wandering through a space and “ch

Laser-cut outdoor metal art adds warmth and textural beauty to any exterior space. And if you are seeking a focal point to enhance an outdoor design, a beautifully crafted metal wall plaque, light box, sculpture or planter is a stunning addition. An

Think Outside’s remarkable sculptures have graced countless Australian homes and gardens over the years. Whether it’s a multi-million-dollar property, an apartment balcony, a townhouse courtyard or nanna’s backyard, Think Outside has original designs

Today we regard our gardens as outdoor rooms and take the same care when decorating them as we would any interior living space. Privacy is just as important, which is why laser-cut metal screening is playing an increasingly important role in garden d

A water feature can be used to provide a focal point in a garden or subtly enhance the overall ambience. If you’re considering introducing a water feature into your garden, it’s important that you select one that will work with the existing landscape

A water feature can be used to provide a focal point in a garden, subtly enhance the overall ambience of an outdoor space, or introduce a sense of drama. Of course, choosing the right feature is essential. Here, happy Sydney property owners talk abou

If you want an outdoor living space you can use year-round, you need the experts from Outrigger Awnings & Sails. Outrigger specialises in the creation of custom-designed shade and rainproof fabric structures for domestic and commercial applications.

Ziptrak® blinds connect your indoor and outdoor environments, turning them into one harmonious space. If you want to extend your interior living space or you want to be able to entertain in comfort year-round, Ziptrak® is the answer. The Ziptrak® tra

For maximum use of your alfresco living area, you need an effective form of climate control — and specialist advice. Shadeform Sails specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of modern high-quality shade sails, blinds and retractable sa

You’d be hard-pressed to find a company in the coatings industry whose origins date back as far as Sikkens. Founded in the Netherlands in 1792, Sikkens enjoys a time-honoured reputation for industry leadership and superior quality in translucent wood

When building a house or renovating an outdoor area, the two things people generally consider are looks and cost. If they’re your top two, you’re missing something vastly more important: safety. In today’s world of Building Codes and Standards, we im

Many Australians want to extend their living spaces into their gardens and a deck is the perfect outdoor extension. A well-designed deck provides a place to relax, entertain and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle for which Australia is famed. What many peop

The modern Australian family spends a lot of time by the swimming pool or in the garden so it makes sense to choose paving and walling products that can stand up to the wear and tear of daily use. Good looks are, of course, important, but durability,

Custom Paving has spent the past 25 years developing its highly individual range of wet-cast concrete pavers to meet the growing need for a durable and adaptable paving solution. The result is a broad array of products offering a choice of Slate, San

The enduring beauty of bluestone has been celebrated around the world for centuries but for purity, nothing surpasses Bamstone bluestone. This 100 per cent Australian bluestone contains no secondary minerals, making it the purest bluestone in the wor

From the granite paving around the pool to the limestone-clad outdoor fireplace, this spectacular property in Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast is a well-orchestrated symphony of natural stone — all of it supplied by Neo Rox Concepts. This contem

With the right treatment, it’s easy to keep even the most porous natural stone and paving, as well as tile and brick, looking great for many years. Treating a porous surface with the right impregnating sealer also makes cleaning easier. Staining is t

Gabions have a wide range of uses, from mass-gravity retaining walls to purely decorative landscaping elements. What’s more, the design and layout possibilities are almost endless. Gabion walls look great as garden retaining walls, feature walls — ev

Once mainly seen in commercial projects, gabions have become a popular inclusion in the home garden and for one very good reason — their versatility. For blocks with steep gradients, they make excellent retaining walls. Alternatively, they can be use

Rock-filled gabions are quickly becoming a must-have in residential gardens. They’re being used to build retaining and garden walls, and they’re being incorporated into myriad design elements, ranging from seating and water features to planters and f

How you fence your front garden is not just about keeping people out or pets and children in. Chosen well, a front fence and gate will frame and enhance your home. For those who want a stylish and secure option, CastStone’s sandstone gate pillars are

When it comes to garden edging, you need a product that is strong, versatile and weather resistant — and you can’t get anything that fits the bill better than steel. Greenlines Gardenware’s FormBoss range of low-maintenance steel garden edging lets y

The right synthetic grass can be a great-looking, lowmaintenance alternative to natural turf which requires constant watering, fertilising and mowing. For residential or commercial property owners who don’t want to edge, mow, weed, fertilise or water