One fits all This people-pleasing garden is fit for a crowd
WITH SPACE FOR TEENS TO CHILL, ADULTS TO ENTERTAIN AND EVEN A JAM SPACE FOR A BAND, THIS PEOPLE-PLEASING GARDEN IS FIT FOR A CROWD
pool The pool area (above) in this Melbourne home, with its green surrounds and luxe sun lounge (Globe West has a selection of similar resting spots), is a magnet for homeowners Chris and Bec, and their three teenagers. The square-format white tiles that line the pool create an instant resort vibe. “It’s almost like a reflection pool,” says Chris. “On a still day, it’s like a sheet of glass reflecting the sky.”
LOCATED IN MELBOURNE’S eastern suburbs, the beautiful old home attached to this backyard was renovated back when the family moved in 10 years ago. But, as often happens, the renovation budget couldn’t quite extend to the outdoors and garden, which languished in relative neglect for some time. Framed by parkland on one side and shaded by a grand old gum tree, the yard was perfectly lovely for homeowners Bec and Chris’ young children to run around in, yet the space, which sloped down about four metres from the back deck to the far corner, had none of the features the entertainers craved.
As the couple’s three children – now 18, 17 and 13 – edged into their teens, Bec and Chris decided it was now or never, so they enlisted the help of Chris Weiss of Formation Landscapes. And one of their main motivators? Keeping their kids at home. “We were finding in summer, they were always ending up at other people’s houses because they had a pool!” explains Bec. “We wanted the kids to have their friends around to our house.” The long-term vision was to create a space where their soon-to-be-young-adult children would want to hang out with friends and “wouldn’t feel like we were breathing down their necks – and vice versa,” she remarks. Keen entertainers, she and Chris also wanted to have a space where they could host a crowd with ease, an outdoor room that would work equally well for a small-scale pizza party or a huge, clear-the-decks-for-a-dance-floor bash. Also on the lust-have list was a music studio where Chris could jam with his band without upsetting the neighbours: an unusual request which required the expertise of a sound engineer to create a completely soundproof room.
Inspiration for the overall design of the new outdoor zone came from Victoria’s charming Wye River General Store & Cafe, a frequent holiday hangout for the family. “It has a recycled and rustic look, which fits into the landscape really well,” explains landscaper Chris. And, although, Bec and Chris’ revamp plans were undeniably grand, they were determined to make the new space feel anything but. “I just wanted it to feel really casual, relaxed and practical,” she says.
hidden bathroom
The almost invisible door to the outdoor bathroom is a bit of fun (above). “It was a game to see how discreet we could be,” explains landscaper Chris. Clad in the same-stacked stone as the surrounding wall, the door requires a hydraulic mechanism for smooth operation. “We don’t bother putting in outdoor showers anymore unless it’s hot and cold water, because people don’t use a cold shower,” adds
Chris about the adjacent Sussex ‘Monsoon’ shower in Brushed Nickel.
“Everything is practical and easy to clean, so the kids can come in and out with bathers on. We didn’t want it to be precious” ~ Bec, homeowner
kitchen The alfresco kitchen (top) is fully kitted out to cater to every entertaining need. “We’ve tried to utilise every square centimetre of space,” says landscaper Chris. A Vintec bar fridge, a small fridge for food and even a dishwasher have been installed to limit the amount of trips back and forth to the main dwelling. Of all the home-like and chic features of the kitchen, including the Smeg barbecue, the centrepiece – and homeowner Chris’ pride and joy – is the Zesti Z1100 wood-fired pizza oven, which is ideal for catering to a crowd of guests. Hard-wearing leathered granite benchtops were chosen for the space, with casual replica Eames chairs from Matt Blatt employed around the dining table. Rustic texture was added by incorporating oak floors and faux grass-cloth weave wallcoverings in Sand from Wallpaper Brokers.
plantings “The big gum tree was the only thing that we were determined to keep in the garden,” says Bec. This grand old dame was allowed to stay and given a new look (opposite), framed by a boxed garden of cycads and blue chalk (left & opposite).
pool The sloping site required the new pool to be anchored in place with massive piers. Above ground, the highlights include an in-pool spa, which landscaper Chris says is an increasingly common request, allowing the area to be used all year-round (below). “The white pool tile [from Coulson Tiles] gives it that amazing ‘resort blue’ colour, with the darker spa tiles [from Marble & Ceramic Corp] in stark contrast,” he says. An L-shaped grey ironbark deck from O’Sheas Timber and Hardware offers a contrast with the bluestone pavers lining the majority of the inviting outdoor area.