NEXT LEVEL How a Sydney courtyard became a guest magnet
Replacing a tired Tuscan scheme and fountain, the simple new design for this Sydney courtyard works for its owners in ways they never expected
“We weren’t using the backyard so we wanted something that was conducive to year-round entertaining and pet-friendly” THE OWNERS
While it’s the perfect spot for rest, relaxation and reflection, this small but stylish courtyard garden in Sydney’s inner suburbs also rolls up its sleeves and earns its living – big time. And the hardscaping does much of the hard yards. “As it’s only five metres by 10 metres, our approach was to make every millimetre count, from a functional perspective or [an aesthetic one] through the inclusion of beautiful finishes and details,” says its creator, Trystan Graham of Outdoor Establishments. “When space is limited, if the landscape performs poorly or the construction is not executed well, there is no hiding it.”
The owners, who had bought the property two decades earlier, asked him to renovate their courtyard in 2019. Trystan was confronted with Tuscan overload, a signature look of the 1990s. At the far end it boasted a terracotta-hued feature wall, complete with a fountain, hand-decorated tiles and a mishmash of distressed surfaces over three levels. “The boundary fences were deteriorating, the paving failing and the stumps of old trees were actually holding up walls,” he says.
“We weren’t using the backyard,” say the owners, “as it was not a relaxing space. We wanted something uncluttered, with a sense of spaciousness and flow, which would be conducive to year-round entertainment and pet-friendly.” As keen entertainers, they wanted two distinct spaces: a dining zone immediately behind the house and a second seating area on a higher level towards the back of the garden, shaded from the afternoon sun. But they confess to not being green-fingered, so ‘low maintenance’ joined the wishlist.
Trystan’s solution was to place the emphasis on crafted hardscaping with a curated selection of robust, sculptural plants. “We wanted to create a wow factor using simple and honest materials – concrete, brick and timber – and not much else, used in unique formats or installed in highly skilful ways,” he says. “As the site was small, we felt the detailing should be bold.”
While hardwood decking sits underfoot on the lower level, bricks were cut to create paving in a simple, stack-bond pattern on the upper level. Most strikingly, a strip of concrete flows from front to back, morphing from seating to steps, from planter and retaining wall back to a second seat, in one uninterrupted sweep, and also encases the barbecue on the other side of the courtyard. Boundary fencing in fine timber battens (echoing the timber deck) results in enclosure on two sides, with a rendered brick wall forming the other. “Structural as well as decorative, the concrete is the hero,” remarks Trystan. “It is incredible what you can achieve with it.”
Playing with scale – paradoxically, a smart way to make a small space seem larger – he also commissioned three handcrafted oversized planters to sit beside the barbecue. Then, in keeping with the brief for low-maintenance greenery, Trystan opted for a mix of robust and sculptural species, such as a Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) for shading, underplanted with Japanese box (Buxus microphylla var. and mondo grass (Ophiopogon
THIS PAGE At the back of the courtyard, twin-flowered agaves in custom pots from Cameron Williams Pottery make a statement in what could otherwise be an idle space beside the BeefEater stainless-steel barbecue. Strip-finished concrete (where the formwork is removed and the surface smoothed with a trowel) extends from the steps and seating to the barbecue surround. OPPOSITE The courtyard sits on two defined levels, zoning the dining area abutting the house and the seating area near the back boundary. Mrs Frankenstool seats, Robert Plumb. Nomah table, Eco Outdoor.
japonicus). It’s no coincidence that a Japanese theme emerges, with echoes of Zen permeating this space. “Simplicity was key,” says Trystan. “This garden isn’t overly designed or cluttered. It’s laid out for purpose and built with a simple and clean material palette complemented by an interesting composition of plantings.”
Adding to the mix, a Madagascan jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) climbs along the timber screening, while a trio of twin-flowered agaves (Agave geminiflora) sits in three humungous planters, ensuring a focal point towards the back of the garden. Along the rear boundary, cascading blue chalksticks (Senecio serpens), pig’s ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) and Crassula ‘Blue Bird’ spill into the courtyard. Meanwhile, cycads and succulents such as cereus cacti and curio – all very forgiving for less-than-avid gardeners – adorn pots on the lower deck. “I love the playfulness of the cascading succulents over the rear fence, contrasted by the sculptural form of the buxus topiary and Japanese black pine,” says Trystan.
This transformation wasn’t without challenges, however, largely due to tricky access. “Everything had to go through the terrace house, with its narrow doorways, long hallways and carpet, and directly through the living area,” says Trystan. “The only item that was carried in via neighbouring properties was the advanced Japanese black pine, which had to fence-hop.”
The owners have not regretted a minute of the process.
Their courtyard no longer sits idle and is now used every day for a variety of reasons. “We love the flow of the concrete, which curves and morphs and performs different functions,” say the owners. “Every section can be used for seating and relaxation, which makes the courtyard so handy for entertaining. It works for everything from intimate dining to being a ‘clubhouse’ for the touch footy team.”
“This garden isn’t overly designed or cluttered — it’s laid out for purpose” TRYSTAN GRAHAM, OUTDOOR ESTABLISHMENTS