THE DETAILS

Location: Toowoomba, Queensland.

Who lives here? Tim and Robyn, owners of a boutique building company specialising in the renovation of period homes.

Why the reno? “There was no fencing, privacy or birds,” says

Robyn of the backyard, pre-makeover. “Neighbours called it the fishbowl house when we moved in. There was no hiding anything!”

The works: Simple block walls were installed around the property, with climbing plants dug in and trained to cover them, helping to define new garden ‘rooms’ around the space and create a sense of privacy. A glass pool fence replaced old-fashioned railings, new pavers and decking were put in place, and the dated pool coping was changed to bring the zone thoroughly into the now. A pergola was added beside the covered outdoor area, along with new turf, plants and a selection of mature trees.

Major changes: The unimaginative space has been transformed into a verdant and private sanctuary perfect for long summer days by the pool, thanks to clever plantings, cosmetic changes to existing features and the smart use of accessories. With poolside dining and an outdoor lounge area beside a canopy of fragrant wisteria, the couple is also spoilt for choice when entertaining alfresco.

Lessons learned: Make water a priority in your planning. “We should have dug in a large underground tank,” says Tim. “There was a small one here, but you can never have too much water.”