Outdoor Design

For two years, the world-renowned Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show went into a pandemic-induced hiatus. This year, thankfully, Melbourne’s Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building were once again buzzing with visitors, eager to see w

Australia is home to a vast array of talented, highly skilled landscape architects and landscape designers who can create a unique garden that will be individually tailored to the way you want to live When landscape architect John Storch, the directo

What drew you to landscape design? My grandfather was a creative inventor and gardener. When I was a child, he was forever talking to me and showing me his ideas and designs, and pointing out shapes, details and plants and how these went together in

More than 100 years ago, this property was home to a backyard auto-repair shop. Rather than erase the traces of this long-abandoned commercial operation, the decision was made to weave some elements into the new design. “The goal was to create a spac

How did you get interested in design? After finishing an apprenticeship, studying horticulture and starting my own landscape construction company, expanding into design just felt like a natural progression. It allowed me to develop the company and of

Why did you choose a career in design? As a young lad, I spent my school holidays in my grandparents’ community garden. They had a keen interest in gardening, a real passion for production and believed in the paddock to plate ethos. This ardour for t

Garden sculptures usually take the form of a delicate water fountain or friendly gnome, but this epic garden design takes outdoor art to the next level. Featuring a 16m, three-dimensional, sculptural ribbon, the underused side of this home in Sydney’

Creating cohesion between the existing elements and proposed changes was a priority for the owners of this one-acre property. So was developing an easy connection with the natural surroundings beyond the property’s edge and ensuring the reinvented ba

With its East Coast vibe, fresh colour palette and enticing pool, this garden fits hand in glove with its location on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the contemporary, clean-lined house it embraces. Created for a young family who wanted to maximise the

Big or small, swimming pools are often the hub of a family’s outdoor entertaining and need to be designed accordingly. Great care, attention and design savvy goes into creating the most successful pools and poolside entertaining areas, especially tho

It’s an exciting time when you’re considering adding a pool to your backyard. You’re thinking of all the fun and benefits ahead — from enhanced fitness to entertaining your children, family and friends — and, of course, the aesthetic appeal (and valu

When people consider creating a new garden, the wish lists are usually long and the Pinterest boards plentiful! Dreams of entertaining areas, pools, decks, lawns and pergolas, all dressed with beautiful planting palettes, fill their imaginations. But

Over the years, my team and I have designed many gardens for many different people. A good number of those projects have been renovations of existing gardens. In each case, despite having spent considerable sums of money in the past, the homeowners,

When you have designed thousands of external spaces, it becomes crystal clear what works and what doesn’t. What also becomes apparent is just how important it is to take the right approach, right at the initial planning stage. There is much to consid

It has long been said that gardens can heal the soul and replenish depleted spirits. And for years, we have been coming together in one form or another to cultivate soil, produce food and experience a social connection. The term “therapeutic landscap

I often get asked what trees to suggest. Another common question is whether to keep or remove existing trees. Trees are a hot topic, as they should be, because they are incredibly important. Depending on site specifics, there are many things to consi

Garden shows can be a wellspring of inspiration for those seeking design direction and some creative ideas about how to use materials and plants in a garden design. The biggest ticket on the Australian circuit is the Melbourne International Flower &

Winner of the top honour, the City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show, plus a Gold Show Garden Award as well as the Innovative Design Award, Inner Calm was a garden that sought to engender a sense of belonging and encourage mental clar

Landscape designer Renee Reiter, the creator of this award-winning garden, set herself a challenge: to show homeowners that it’s possible to have a functional entertaining space, even if all you have is a small courtyard. This inspiring Boutique Show

The talk of this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Coming Soon, was a statement garden. Designed by Anthony Sharples of akas landscape architecture and Alistair Kirkpatrick (then part of akas landscape architecture), in collaborati

According to Carolyn and Joby Blackman of Vivid Design, the most memorable gardens are those you experience — and that engender a sense of mystery. Not everything is revealed at first glance, eliciting a strong desire to step forward and discover wha

Lovingly designed by Mark Browning Landscape Design in support of Dementia Australia, Aud was named after the designer’s mother, Audrey, who succumbed to Alzhemier’s four years ago. Aud was a tribute to a woman with no design or horticultural qualifi

A Zen garden with an intriguing twist, Elements was designed by Alison Douglas Design and innovatively incorporated the five elements found in a traditional Zen garden — earth, water, fire, wind and sky. Limestone benches and a daybed formed a commun

A collaboration between Robert Boyle Landscape Design and Warners Nurseries, the More than Meets the Eye show garden was the joining of six gardens into one, a bay hedge linking them. The design comprised a parkland, Mediterranean-style garden, a sha

Through the Lens was a fully accessible, plant-laden garden that celebrated the heightened sensory perception that many children and their carers experience each and every day living with autism and the sensory-processing challenges it brings. Employ

This show garden reflected what it was like for the designer, Inge Jabara, to emerge outside after two years of pandemic-imposed lockdowns. The design began with seating at the back of the garden (representing the designer’s home office) and moved fo

Designed by Steve Day, acting Parks and Natural Environment manager for Whitehorse City Council, Resilience focused on the physical and mental health benefits of plants in the urban landscape. It was a demonstration of how an urban garden can be invi

Presented annually by the Landscape Design Institute (LDI), the LDI National Landscape Design Awards recognise excellence, innovation and professionalism … here we look at just some of the 2021 winners Landscape design is a key part of the planning,

PLANTSCAPE — BRONZE AWARD: Acre — Brett Robinson RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN LARGE SIZE — GOLD AWARD: COS Design — Steve Taylor RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN LARGE SIZE — SILVER AWARD: Acre — Brett Robinson RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN LARGE SIZE — S

Here we showcase a range of gardens from around Australia that illustrate the high level of design and construction expertise you can expect from an experienced landscaper For Darren Willmott, director of DJ Landscapes & Pools, a well-designed garden

There are two keys to creating a successful garden: a clearly defined, well-balanced structure and the generous use of a select number of materials, shapes and colours. The proof of this philosophy can be found in the pleasingly proportioned outdoor

Embraced by large, leafy tropical plants, this stunning swimming pool and inviting alfresco area provide the perfect spaces for relaxed entertaining. “The clients had a clear brief,” says Troy Douglas, director of Contemporary Landscaping. “They want

If you’re a fan of the exotic and a lover of both vibrant colour and earthy hues, the Moroccan approach to design is perfect. In this Moroccan-themed courtyard, the elements of this timeless design style meld perfectly to give the owner of this home

Presented by Outdoor Design, the NSW Landscape of the Year Awards celebrate residential design innovation and construction excellence. On the pages that follow, we showcase the winners of the 2022 awards Presented by Outdoor Design, in conjunction wi

Claudia Crawley, a residential landscape designer and co-founder of Grindstone Landscapes, a design and construction business, is a multiple-award winner with a passion for contemporary garden design. Claudia believes a great garden design is balance

Reminiscent of a spa retreat, this bijou inner-Sydney garden refuge offers the ultimate luxury courtyard experience. Simon Munn and the Urban Garden Enrichment team were charged with building the new garden, which was designed by Steve Warner from OU

Having worked closely with the homeowner on multiple projects in the past, designer Mike Cass, founder of mike CASS creative and design it landscapes, relished the opportunity to again join forces. This time the goal was to revitalise a tired yet sti

Evoking a modern Hamptons beach-house vibe, this waterside garden in Soldiers Point, a coastal suburb in the Hunter region of NSW, was conceived by landscape designer Gerrad Everson of Octopus Garden Design and is the winner of the Best Coastal Garde

The completion of this outdoor design had a considerable degree of pressure placed upon it — a pre-wedding reception that was to be held in the garden. This meant the outdoor space had to be something spectacular and finished on time. “Some have like

The designer’s aim was to create a sustainable native garden — one that looked raw and rustic, was low maintenance and featured a bird- and bee-attracting planting scheme. The must-have list presented to Mark Tisdell of MUD Landscape Design didn’t en

Having downsized and bought this inner-Sydney home, the owners had a clear vision for their rear garden. It was to be easy to maintain, so the existing pool area had to be repurposed, and it had to be modern and visually interesting. They also craved

On the following pages, we take a look at the winning entries in the 2021/2022 Husqvarna Champion of Champions: Australian Landscaper of the Year Awards, proudly presented by Universal Media Co Every year, each of the state-based landscape associatio

A refined, contemporary and minimal garden in Brisbane’s riverside suburb of Hawthorne took out the Residential Construction up to $70,000 category for a well-considered design that perfectly complements the sleek, architecturally designed home it su

While the kitchen may be the social hub of the home, the pool is the place everyone wants to be when they’re outside. And with such a beautiful pool, spa and cabana combo as this one, the full resort experience is on tap, day and night. Designed by N

Creating a private garden oasis on a cramped city-fringe plot complete with a dining zone, barbecue area, sun lounge and spa was a daunting task requiring ingenuity, expert design and quality materials to complete. The popular and bustling harboursid

A spectacular, off-the-grid eco lair situated on the doorstep of Noosa National Park, Domic is a state-of-the-art residence that is both gentle and bold, blending seamlessly into the local landscape and standing apart from it at the same time. Meanin

Behind the unassuming facade of a Victorian home in Melbourne’s inner-city suburb of Hawthorn lies a surprisingly minimalist backyard oasis complete with infinity pool, landscaped garden and pool house. Heavily inspired by Belgium interior architect

Representing cutting-edge medical advancements and gold-standard patient care, The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) building and adjoining “Spanish steps” is a world-leading development set to change how we experience healthcare

Having designed your new garden, the next step is to turn it into the ideal outdoor living space by selecting the right furniture, lighting, heating, decking, shade, decor and more Creating a cosy outdoor room-style space has a great many advantages.

Lunch on the deck, dinner under the stars, lounging by the pool … having a well-furnished, beautifully decorated outdoor living space makes each of these scenarios so much more appealing, and it provides an additional “room” you can use when entertai

Devastated by terrible flooding in 2011, Brisbane’s former riverside restaurant precinct in South Bank has undergone a glamorous facelift. From fine dining to leafy promenade, Riverside Green is a worldclass open space, which locals as well as visito

The first play structure of its kind in Perth, WA, the Catalina Plane Playground pays tribute to the Catalina Sea Planes flown by allied forces in WWII. Situated in the newly built Catalina residential estate in Perth’s northern suburbs, this vibrant

The prospect of entertaining or relaxing outdoors has never been so appealing with these stylish, supremely comfortable outdoor sofas, sun lounges, day beds and more from Contemporary Classics. From beautiful dining settings and lounge suites to side

If you’re seeking designer style without the designer price tag, Lume Outdoor Living offers a treasure trove of unique and boutique products. From exclusive designer pieces to premium-quality furniture you can mix and match, you have everything you n

If you’re looking for a distinctive collection of decorative laser-cut screens, fire pits, sculptures and more, Urban Design Systems (UDS) is the leader in the field. These creative concepts are suited to exterior and interior use and UDS is happy to

Nothing extends the home like an outdoor fireplace. It creates an anchor in our backyards. Not only is it a source of light and warmth, it beckons us to gather, like moths to a flame. But, with so many outdoor fireplaces to consider, the choice can b

Heating your outdoor space isn’t just about keeping the family toasty warm in winter or taking the chill out of the air on a crisp autumn evening. With our decks, pergolas and alfresco entertaining spaces now being designed as outdoor rooms, aestheti

Everyone is drawn to fire. Having a chiminea entices people to gather, relax and interact; it also extends the use of your outdoor living space, creating warmth and ambience year-round. And when it comes to woodfired cooking, well, that’s a surefire

Creating a functional and usable outdoor space is high up on the list of improvements for many homeowners. Australians are known for their love of the outdoors and spending time with friends, and an all-weather alfresco living area is the best way to

The right lighting improves mood and creates an inviting ambience, so if your outdoor spaces are dark, gloomy and unappealing when the sun goes down, transform them into beautiful, enjoyable and enticing spaces with strategic illumination. Start by l

Now that summer is here, after a crisp, wet spring and a long, chilly winter, it’s time to start sprucing up long-neglected gardens and balconies to create perfect spaces for outdoor soirees with families and friends. In addition to giving your plant

Outdoor living season is in full swing, and Aussies everywhere are breaking out the barbies, firing up the fire pits, and decking out their decks. Often the centrepiece of a home’s outdoor space, a deck provides an ideal setting for relaxing, enterta

When it comes to modern deck design, more and more homeowners are thinking outside the box. Regardless of the size of the garden or budget — Aussies no longer feel confined to a basic square or rectangular deck. Contractors and remodelers are reporti

The Crystal Rain Gauge was created to be sustainable and reliable. In short? It’s a rain gauge that really is built for Australian conditions. For as long as she can remember, Lucinda Batey relished the responsibility of measuring the rain on her fam

With the exceptionally wet weather of late, particularly along Australia’s east coast that saw devastating floods and severe waterlogging, and a rather cold winter, our gardens are in need of some tender loving care. While some plants have enjoyed th

A decade of technical innovation and development has resulted in an unparalleled barbecue experience thanks to Crossray’s patented infrared cooking technology that creates efficient, even heat without flare-ups. Multiple options (gas and electric) an