Courtyard cool

Smart design makes the most of a small space

This clever courtyard in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is a welcome change for its busy owners. They confess to a lack of green thumbs, so the new design means they can still enjoy the restorative properties of an inviting garden. Carefully curated surfaces and finishes do most of the heavy lifting, while the edited plantings are confined to robust, easy-care grasses and succulents. Copious strip-finished concrete does triple time as seating, steps and barbecue surround, creating a smooth flow from one level of the courtyard to the other.

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