{great entertainer} outdoor

homebeautiful.com.au {MAY 2013} 193

The discovery of a spectacular water view inspired this resort-worthy outdoor entertaining space

WORDS AnnA McCooe Styling AdAM Robinson PHOtOgRAPHy nAtAlie HunfAlvAY

paradise found

Homeowners Tony and Beth created a relaxed and inviting outdoor space in their Sydney home. A clever barbecue bay is built up with a dark-coloured ceramic tile splashback for easy cleaning and is carefully sited so the smoke doesn’t blow into the outdoor lounge. >C

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“With greenery all around us, we really feel like we’re getting away from it all out here” ~ Tony

The couple love travelling to the South Pacific and are delighted that they can now enjoy that same holiday feeling at home. The

island-themed stone carving from a local garden centre ties into their happy memories, although it was a challenge to carry it up

the steep site! The painted timber fence, which will one day be screened by lilly pilly, successfully hides the neighbour’s pool. >

194 {MAY 2013} homebeautiful.com.au

foR 12 YeARs owners tony and beth had more or less left their back garden in sydney’s north to its own devices. then one day, they decided to don their gardening gloves and attack the mountainous lantana out the back. they looked down, gasped, and looked again. the couple had just discovered their garden’s beautiful water views. “it was so private and peaceful,” says tony. “We could picture ourselves getting quite comfortable out there.”

inspired, the couple began planning a deck that would capture the view and put together a team comprising of structural landscaper Josh harrison, from harrison’s landscaping, and designer Paul scrivener. Plans quickly escalated and the proposed deck soon blossomed into a full-blown, roofed outdoor room and cabana, complete with lounging and dining spaces, integrated bar heating and downlighting. “if we were going to do it, we wanted to do it right,” recalls tony. “it was a bigger investment than we originally intended, but it has completely transformed the way we use our home.”

set into a steep sandstone rock face, with no level surfaces, the space had its share of challenges. designer Paul worked the elevated landscape to his advantage by resting the entertaining space on a natural rock bed topped with a concrete slab. travertine tiles

top left: Looking out at the stunning water view from their cabana, it’s easy to see why Tony and Beth embarked on this large-scale landscape project. Josh added extra greenery to the view with large cordylines, weeping lilly pillies, tree ferns and buxus around the edges. top right: When Tony and Beth look out of their kitchen window, this naturally occurring green wall meets their eyes. The moss and maidenhair ferns were always growing on the rock face. Josh simply encouraged them to thicken up by cutting them back with hedging sheers. Meanwhile, plaster of Paris replica fossils play up the history of the landscape.

and concrete retaining walls reflect the natural beauty of the views. a simple spotted gum timber bench maximises seating and provides a visual link to distant gum trees. a partial wall and screening plants lead the eye to the water and woodland beyond, while a timber fence disguises the next-door neighbours’ above-ground pool and will eventually be garbed in green, all contributing to the room’s private feeling. With such wild bush views in the distance, Josh planted a restrained scheme of murraya and lilly pilly to create a neat frame, and encouraged the natural ferns and mosses on the rock wall to prosper.

as the sun starts to go down over the water, it’s easy to see why the backyard serves as the couple’s primary living space – and all thanks to that day spent chopping back the lantana. “We’ll head out here after work, light a few candles and enjoy a quiet glass of wine, and on the weekends we’ll invite a bunch of friends around for a barbecue,” says tony. “it’s even lovely in the rain.”

structural landscaper: Josh harrison, harrison’s landscaping, (02) 9986 3112, harrisonlandscaping.com.au.designer: Paul scrivener, (02) 9907 8011, scrivener-design.com.

Working with nature rather than against it, the cabana

was built on top of a natural sandstone outcrop

196 {MAY 2013} homebeautiful.com.au

top left: “Looking up from the street, the cabana was going to be quite imposing,” explains landscaper Josh Harrison. To counter this, a large mass of dirt and tree roots were cleared from the front, the existing sandstone was built up with additional sandstone blocks, and the new retaining wall was covered up by greenery to lessen the impact of the man-made structure.

top right: As a smart space-saving idea, the built-in spotted gum bench takes up very little room, but when it’s teamed with an outdoor dining table it comfortably seats a crowd. “Paul, the designer, was very clever when it came to maximising the small space,” says Tony. The Australian spotted gum not only calls out to the bush surrounds, but also incredibly practical. “The tannins in spotted gum tends to weep less compared to other Australian hardwoods, such as merbau and tallowwood, so there is less chance it will stain the pavers below,” explains Josh.

left: Scala travertine tiles from Eco Outdoor were chosen to create a sense of spaciousness. “Choosing a large format tile to reduce grout lines makes the tight area look bigger, too,” says Josh. Tony found the comfortable lounge suite at Outdoor Living and Leisure.