An Outdoor Oasis In Annandale

The outdoor space of this Annandale home has been transformed from a basic lawn, into a multifaceted inner-city oasis.

The main point of reference for landscape designers, Goodmanors, was the recently renovated home on the site, featuring sophisticated, modern interiors. The home opens via rear bi-folding glass doors to a decked outdoor area, creating an extension of the indoor entertaining area.

‘We looked to create a tasteful, tropical garden to contrast the harder elements of the home’s interiors, ensuring these spaces integrated seamlessly,’ says Goodmanors senior design manager, Mitchell Turner.

The starting point for the design was the backyard’s existing jacaranda tree, that Mitchell says ‘lends dramatic scale and allows the line of sight to travel upward to appreciate the surrounding borrowed landscape of the neighbourhood.’

Visual interest was enhanced by installing ‘untamed’ plants – among them is kidney weed, planted between the linear paving, and screening bamboo that creates a low-maintenance green wall hiding the rear laneway. Tropical foliage, including elephants ears, philodendron rojo congo, and blue ginger, create lush layers visible from the outdoor seating area.

The addition of custom length (600mm) Eco Outdoor Emu Granite Pavers arranged in a non-symmetrical pattern connects the various garden elements while generating the illusion of a wider overall space.

An in-ground spa was chosen for the property instead of a pool, due to the limited space. This spa offers enough space for the family of three, and has an attached deck for sunbathing. To overcome the lack of space needed for a traditional spa fence, a custom cover was created, to keep the water surface enclosed when not in use.

Finally, a fireplace hanging from the jacaranda offers a sculptural focal point, and warmth! This is an outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round, with a low-maintenance, modern garden providing areas for both relaxation and entertainment.

Eco Outdoor specialises in natural stone flooring and walling, together with outdoor furniture and fabrics to create an inspiring life outdoors. Eco Outdoor is committed to innovative products that maintain integrity and quality and possess an organic aesthetic that transcends style and age gracefully.

Lush planting, sunbaking deck and Darwin chair by Eco Outdoor. Photo – Brigid Arnott.

Outdoor living done right! Photo – Brigid Arnott.

The perfect perch to enjoy the pool and garden views – a pair of Darwin chairs by Eco Outdoor. Pool pavers (Bluestone) also by Eco Outdoor. Photo – Brigid Arnott.