By Pepo Botanic Design
A swathe of brilliant red Canna x generalis ‘Australia’ (Canna lilies) creates a dramatic sense of arrival at the entrance to this impeccably refurbished federation home in Haberfield. Pepo was engaged to design a garden that would fit seamlessly alongside Melocco & Moore’s restoration of the traditional exterior of the house at the front and contemporary renovation at the rear.
In the front garden, layered textural planting frames the house and boundary fences, with species chosen for their vibrant flowers and ever-changing seasonal foliage. A curving bluestone pathway cuts crisply through the immaculate lawn, continuing the journey from gate to door, while a row of Olea europaea (Common Olive trees) provides screening along the driveway.
Venturing through the side gate reveals first glimpses of the contemporary renovation, with the rear garden offering a balanced transition between interior living and outdoor play and entertaining spaces. A casual seating area around a fire pit flows into an outdoor dining space, before reaching a productive garden where the clients, passionate gardeners themselves, tend to herbs, fruit and vegetables growing in the greenhouse and raised garden beds.
On the other side of a reclaimed brick wall, the swimming pool is a welcome oasis, softened with a lush Viburnum screening hedge along the rear fence, and framed with Salvias, Dichondra and Native Violets. The pool layout was designed by Melocco & Moore and installed by Hagan Built, with Pepo selecting the Inax 2×1 tile from Artedomus as a non-conventional reference to the Arts and Crafts history of the home, while the Castro Limestone pool coping from Onsite Supply and Design was chosen as a bridging material to link the various hard surfaces of the house exterior and garden.
With numerous spaces to relax, entertain, grow and play, this Haberfield garden offers a welcoming family home for its owners and a respectful integration of classic, historic beauty and elegant, contemporary design.
PROJECT TEAM
Garden Design
Nicola Cameron, Josh Arkey
Architect
Melocco & Moore
Builder & Pool Installation
Hagan Built
Garden Installation & Maintenance
Pepo Botanic Design
Photography
Nick Bowers
Pepo Botanic Design is widely recognised as a bespoke design studio with an emphasis on unique plant choices and sculptural additions. Our landscape architects take the time to listen to you and develop an intuitive feel for the possibilities when designing each individual space, making it one of the more unique gardening services in Sydney.
Once a garden is established, our maintenance team prides itself on respectfully tending to and nourishing lawns, plants and gardens with expert horticultural care.
Our Story
Talented visual artist Nicola Cameron established Pepo in 2000, looking to weave her experience in photography and film into a different and creative living medium. Landscape design and horticulture provided the perfect platform to conceive her beautiful creations, passion for unique design aesthetics, and love of plants.
In 2007, Nicola’s husband James Perkin was appointed Construction Manager of Pepo, joining a team of specialists dedicated to turning a client’s dream into a practical and beautiful reality.
Hundreds of alluring gardens, courtyards, balconies, and rural retreats have been brought to life since the business began and the team continues to provide a premium landscape architectural service, brimming with creativity and inspiration every day.