In the swim
By Lynne Testoni
This elegant and classically designed garden proved to be an award winner for Inspired Exteriors.
An engaged, design-conscious client is always a plus, as landscape designers Inspired Exteriors found when they were engaged to create this beautiful garden in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Inspired Exteriors designed a stylish new rear garden for the owners, who had recently purchased the property. The works included a swimming pool, cabana, lawn, and a mix of gardens aligned with the coastal look of the house. The result was an award-winning garden, winning the Gold & Best in Category award for Residential Design (80m2 to 200m2) at the 2024 Landscape Excellence Awards.
The brief
The client’s brief for the project was to create a versatile and beautiful outdoor space that aligned with the ‘coastal contemporary’ style of their house and interiors. The design needed to cater to the needs of the family, which included two adults, their two boys, and two dogs, while ensuring privacy and ease of maintenance, and addressing several site constraints.
The brief was all about transforming the area into a functional, aesthetically pleasing space for the family. Additionally, the yard was overlooked by a large neighbouring house at the rear western side of the property, raising privacy concerns for the clients, particularly as they have young children. Ensuring privacy while maintaining an open, inviting space was a key design consideration.
Scope of works
Key landscaping elements requested by the client included the following:
Swimming pool: A heated magnesium pool was a top priority, providing a central feature for relaxation and play for the kids. The pool equipment and heater were placed behind the main feature wall, a fluted green marble that ties in with the home’s interiors. The pool itself features white subway tiles, adding interest and aligning with the home’s coastal contemporary style.
Cabana: The clients were keen to have a cabana for relaxation and occasional entertaining. The cabana was oriented inward, creating a secluded feel when relaxing. Positioned higher than the pool, the cabana further increased the sense of seclusion while swimming. The steps wrapping into the garden bed added a dynamic element to the space, serving as both a bench seat and a step for exercise.
Lawn: A practical lawn area was required for the children and dogs to play on. The landscapers chose hardy TifTuf grass to accommodate these demands. They also kept the alfresco area and lawn at the same level to allow for a large trestle table for entertaining.
Alfresco area: An outside dining area and barbecue was important for family meals and entertaining. The alfresco area featured large porcelain tiles to create a sense of space and to complement the home’s interiors.
Drainage and irrigation: Due to the presence of rock close to the surface, Inspired Exteriors designed and installed subsurface drainage systems and laid the lawn on sand to ensure its ongoing health. A rainwater tank for irrigation and a slimline shed were discreetly housed on the side of the house, keeping utility areas away from the main entertaining and play spaces.
Plantings
The homeowners requested a garden with year-round interest and colour. The planting also needed to be low maintenance to accommodate their time constraints and busy lives, despite both being keen gardeners.
Espaliered specimens of Magnolia grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear’ and Citrus x limon ‘Eureka’ frame the boundary leading from the rear of the renovated house to the garden, setting the scene with classic charm.
Addressing the privacy concerns, Inspired Exteriors installed rows of Waterhousea floribunda (weeping lilli pilli) around the boundaries of the garden. This was underplanted with Casuarina glauca Prostrate Form and Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Oriental Pearl’, along with accent plantings of Pachycereus pringlei (Mexican giant cactus).
The new cabana was surrounded by layers of shade-tolerant plants in shaded areas, while heat-tolerant plants were selected for the parts of the garden that received the most sun. The roof of the cabana included a parapet for pots with drought-tolerant plants to spill over and soften the structure.
About the awards
The Landscape Association’s (TLA) Landscape Excellence Awards celebrate the very highest standards and achievement in Landscape Construction, Design and Maintenance, in the Residential and Commercial sectors. Recognising innovation, creativity and outstanding craftsmanship, the Awards are the highest accolades in the industry.
The Awards are just one of many TLA benefits that are included in a TLA Membership. To find out more about membership or contact the team directly, visit www.landscapeassociation.com.au.
All images supplied by The Landscape Association