In good company
Short on entertaining space? Take it outside. Here’s cheers to setting up your garden, deck or balcony for sensational summer get-togethers
The light has turned golden and the sting of the day’s sun has finally fizzled: summer evenings are made for spending time outside, preferably with friends or family and a glass of something nicely icy in hand. If you’re keen to set up a gorgeous outdoor entertaining space, take a few tips from Frances Hale (pictured above), the founder and principal landscape designer for Peachy Green Garden Architects in Melbourne.
Think about what you gain Space, precious space! A well set up outdoor area increases the living zone of your home very e ectively. Even if you only have a small area to work with, you’re creating a new open-air room you can spread out into.
Get the fundamentals right These are: sun and shade in all the right places; warmth and comfort – think about the temperatures you might encounter at the peaks of summer and winter; and providing a sense of shelter and privacy. Remember, too, that natural materials are generally the best way to beautify an outdoor space.
Keep furniture to scale For a lounge area, it’s good for your sofas and chairs to be quite low-slung, casual and unobstructive.
With outdoor dining, keep in mind where the setting can be seen from in the house, particularly if your outdoor dining area flows o an indoor dining area. If there’s too much furniture visible, you risk it looking a bit like a furniture showroom.
Seek out natural surfaces Timber decking is great if your outdoor area is elevated or o the ground. FSC-certified Australian hardwoods have a beautiful warmth to them and are lovely underfoot. They can be protected with a clear penetrating oil to keep the timber conditioned, or they can be left to grey o for a low-maintenance coastal look. Natural stone paving in a material such as Australian bluestone is great laid straight into the ground. It’s maintenance-free and will stand the test of time.
Provide adequate shade Shading is critical to comfort, especially from the northern and western aspect on a hot summer’s afternoon. Strategic planting to increase shading and coolness will make for beautiful spots to sit. A good-quality umbrella or retractable awning might also do the trick. The shade you get from a pergola is always nice, especially if it’s draped in Virginia creeper or an ornamental grapevine.
Go big on greenery Filling an outdoor space with plants that have contrasting leaf textures instantly creates a place you can be in touch with, or even immersed in, nature – right on your doorstep. The trick here is to choose plants hardy enough to cope with the amount of sun your outdoor area gets, whether that’s a little or a lot.
Pick the right plants Natives are a great place to start if you’re looking for plants for your outdoor area that are droughttolerant, colourful and interesting. They combine well with Mediterranean plants, too. Leucadendrons, ornamental grasses and succulents will all contribute to the creation of a lush, leafy paradise that’s not too fussy or di cult to maintain.
Frances shares her favourite furniture finds for 2020
This strong, light and stackable chair was designed in Paris in 1923 and has cemented its reputation as the ultimate outdoor dining design since then. Fermob ‘Luxembourg’ chair, $499, Trit House; trithouse.com.au.
Inspired by the basalt pillars of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, these gorgeous co ee tables have a handcrafted glazed stone top. Tribu ‘Hexagon’ low tables, from $2000 each, Cosh Living; coshliving.com.au.
The perfect laidback piece for a balcony or deck, this is a design classic that’s sure to stand the test of time. Hay ‘Palissade’ lounge chair by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, $635, Cult; cultdesign.com.au.
Constructed from teak and with cushions made from quick-dry materials, this outdoor sofa is a deeply luxurious piece of garden furniture. Malua 3.5-seat outdoor lounge, $4999, Eco Outdoor; ecooutdoor.com.au.
A built-in timber bench like the one Peachy Green designed here is an incredibly versatile addition to any garden — and it works particularly well when space is limited.
A long, low bench can be used as party seating when you’re entertaining, or you can pull a dining setting close to get an extra seat or two at the table. For a similar dining chair, take a look at Robert Plumb’s ‘Nolita’ o ering.