The landscape design for this small courtyard was about maximising space. What used to be a tired, small and plain area, has now become a modern outdoor entertaining space to impress! Using levels to make the space appear large, we designed a bluestone sunken lounge area to spend the afternoons reading a book and sipping your favourite beverage under the custom-designed corten metal open arbour. Wide spotted gum decking was chosen to keep an uncluttered feel and maximise space for a BBQ, standing room, and a 3-piece outdoor setting. The water feature switched on internally has you instantly transported out of the chaos of your day, landing in your indoor-outdoor home retreat.

With the likes of a Weeping cherry blossom, Japanese maple, Birds of paradise, Indian hawthorn, Foxtail ferns, the plant schedule will keep you in admiration all year round. Technical secrets… we have a hidden drain on the bottom bluestone step which takes any water away in an instant. Also hidden underneath a stepper is a drainage silt pit with a sump pump to move water to a higher location. The strategically placed (yet hidden) power point allows you to charge your laptop or devices from the outdoor lounge without missing a moment of the sun!

The outdoor mural ‘Party in the sky’ by Carley Cornelissen brings the entire space alive and can be enjoyed throughout the evening from inside the home. The splash of blue & yellow throughout adds vibrancy to the natural materials selected. Whether you are entertaining, working, or relaxing, this outdoor space accommodates a luxurious lifestyle.

Photography: Tim Turner Photographer