Table of contents for Issue #49 - 2020 in Backyard and Outdoor Living

BASIL Basil is the quintessential warm-weather herb and it’s wonderful to brush past it and release its spicy aroma. Basil is a favourite at our place on pizzas and in Caprese salad, as well as homemade pesto. Basil can be grown out in a garden or in pots, and regular feeding with Yates Thrive will promote lots of lush green leaves and stems. There are various types of basil too, including sweet basil, richly coloured purple basil and anise-flavoured Thai basil. If you let a few basil plants mature, they’ll produce flowers that are a magnet for bees. Sow more basil seed every few months from spring to early autumn so you have an ongoing supply. CHIVES Chives are a great herb to grow at home to add mild onion…

Journey down the driveway of this impressive rural residence built by Camelot Homes and it’s like stepping into a modern resort, but that’s only the start of the story… The water feature has a commanding presence, its cool ambience almost juxtaposed with the modern industrial feel of some elements in the space. The multilevel water feature encompasses many components including a curved bowl and a series of troughs to collect the flowing water. It’s surrounded by pavers nestled in a bed of pebbles, with some native plantings to soften the space. Damien McBride, structural landscaping director from Tech Scapes Australia Landscaping, says the client’s home has a resort-style feel with a subtle infusion of modern industrial elements. “This fits the clients beautifully,” he says. “They wanted to create a natural-looking…

When you eat broad beans you are consuming some of the oldest veggies known to cultivation. These wide, flat beans, native to the Mediterranean region, have a long history as a cultivated veggie. Remains found in excavations in northern Israel have been dated to 6800–6500 BCE and they are also known from ancient sites in Egypt. There are two ways to eat broad beans. They can be boiled or steamed whole when small and immature, or allowed to mature then shelled like peas so only the bean itself is eaten. I prefer broad beans at this later stage, but they are fiddly to prepare for eating. Once the beans mature into the big green pod that gives them their name, they taste better podded before they are cooked. I also…

OFF A CLIFF Cliff Dèco joins the already esteemed Cliff family of furniture from Talenti Outdoor Living. Dramatic and luxurious, the timeless collection features a plush modern sofa with cushions so deep you’d swear you were reclining on a giant marshmallow. The real standouts are the hand-woven armrests and seatbacks and you’ll find yourself gazing at them lovingly as you resist the urge to pluck the strings like a harp. Musical fetishes aside, this is a lovely option for those looking to add a bit of pizzazz and a whole lot of comfort to their outdoor area. talentisrl.com TAKE A SEAT Forget flimsy folding chairs and treat yourself to an outdoor throne. Progetto Venezia from Atelier LAVIT is just the ticket. The complex yet fluid lines of the chair are…

This coastal property has spectacular ocean views out to the headland and beyond, and paying homage to it was a key design consideration. Matt Leacy, founder and creative director of Landart Landscapes, says the original garden had a more modern flavour and the owners sought to inject a relaxed coastal vibe. “They wanted to soften the sleek contemporary lines of the house. They also wanted a space they could entertain in for business, as well as for family pleasure,” he says. “We’ve brought a very relaxed textural coastal feel to the garden -but have also introduced hard contemporary lines with the barbecue and Corten steel to tie back to the sleek house design,” explains Matt The low-maintenance garden has architectural-style plants and an artful blend of soft flowing grasses that…

If talent is a flame and genius is a fire, then the designers responsible for Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces represent an inferno. Having a chiminea or firepit entices people to gather, relax and interact; it also extends the use of your outdoor living space, creating warmth when temperatures drop and ambience whenever it is desired. Plus, woodfired cooking is a sure-fire way to keep guests content. Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces specialises in woodfired outdoor heating and cooking, offering a diverse array of chimineas, firepits and pizza ovens. “We are a small husband and wife business that sells premium-quality products that will stand the test of time and provide years of enjoyment without any dramas or breakages,” says Andrew Fenton, who runs the business with his wife Liz. “Most of our products are…

Introducing the Shaderunner® Retractable Sail System, available in an array of fabric and colour options to suit any architectural style. Ideally suited to outdoor entertaining areas, patios, swimming pools and courtyards, the Sail System is on display outside this charming home in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs. The stylish alfresco space features an entertaining zone, lap pool and poolside lounge area. Fitted with three fully retractable Shaderunner® Shade Systems, the high-traffic areas now enjoy shade and UV protection on demand. Shaderunner® Retractable Sails are built to withstand the harsh Australian climate. A controllable shade function allows for the manipulation of light to create optimal shading. In summer months, the system can be fully extended for maximum shade coverage, UV protection and thermal comfort. In cooler months, the system can be retracted to…

CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA’S MAGNIFICENT WILDLIFE DARYL DICKSON EXISLE PUBLISHING | $55 The glorious work of Daryl Dickson jumps off the pages in her latest book, Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife. Passionate about the conservation of wildlife and wild places, Dickson depicts everything from black-winged stilts to brushtail possums in a colourful tribute to Australian critters and their natural habitats. Highlighting the beauty of a number of endangered species and revealing the majesty of North Queensland’s ancient tropical forests, the book is inspirational. LIVING OUTSIDE SHARON MACKAY & DIANA SNAPE THAMES & HUDSON | $70 Stroll down memory lane as Living Outside details the advent of the Australian garden in the mid-20th century. Post-war confidence urged Aussies to look outside and create outdoor rooms for recreation and relaxation. Bold designs celebrated Australia’s native…

Despite popular belief, balcony gardens cannot be potted up and then forgotten about as the garden can be exposed to high winds, hot sun and extended shade. But by establishing a garden using the right plants, soil and pots, and setting aside a little time to maintain it, you’ll have a potted garden that will be the envy of your neighbours. DESIGNING A BALCONY GARDEN One of the most important things about planning a balcony garden is design. Landscape designer Brian Fuller, owner of Leaf Stone Water, says good design is key. “Your garden will always be on show every time you access your balcony,” he says. “Perhaps even more importantly, if you love what you’ve created, you’ll spend more time outdoors on the balcony enjoying it.” Balconies are often…

The term “cooped up” has taken on a whole new meaning for Aussies during the COVID-19 pandemic as chickens become a family favourite in the pets department. In fact, Google reported that search terms for “live chickens” were at an all-time high over the past five years in Australia. So if you’re among the many Australians who have panic bought chickens, there is a sure-fire way to keep them safe. Here are our top tips for caring for your new feathered friends. HOW MUCH ROOM DO CHICKENS NEED? We like to say that as a general rule, chicken coops need roughly 2-3 square feet per chicken and 8-10 square feet for the chicken run. If you have roughly five chickens, you would need at least 15 square feet in the…

We were commissioned to work on the external areas of this stunning property that includes one frontage, a swimming pool and entertaining area, and on the other side of the home a more secluded entertaining space. A clean-edge rectangular-shaped swimming pool with an infinity edge and paved entertaining area was designed by us and located to take advantage of the stunning Manly and Shelly Beach views before the predominant north-easterly sea breezes become too strong. It is also the ideal spot for relaxing and entertaining all day through winter. The space is surrounded by simply styled garden areas which, together with similar-toned paving materials utilised inside the home, ensure inside and out are well integrated. This showcase is mostly about the secluded entertaining spot. The location was specifically chosen to…

Designed, developed and produced in the Netherlands, these fireplaces fit right in half a world away in a country girt by sea. The story of RB73 is one of passion, not only for fire but also beautiful and timeless products. Handmade by professionals with a genuine love for their work, these fireplaces will keep their owners toasty all year round, no matter the season. Glass-fronted doors ensure user safety and prevent smoke, ash and sparks from escaping. The CorTen steel construction gives the flames a solid appearance and long life. The rusting process is different for each fireplace and therefore every fireplace is unique. The Piquia model is a compact CorTen steel wood stove with an industrial look. This terrace stove has a galvanised steel door handle and stainless-steel lock…

For most people, their biggest investment is their home and given the current market, it makes good sense to renovate rather than move to improve the quality of everyday living. Here we focus on the latest trends in cabana design to help you choose the design components that will work for you and your property. An ongoing trend with cabana design is linking the cabana with other external improvements such as tennis courts, swimming pools, gardens and entertaining areas. For this reason, design companies that provide a total concept are becoming more popular and it makes good design sense to ensure that consistent design and materials are used throughout to ensures the overall project is well integrated. A big trend in cabanas is to design adjustable external walls and floor…

IT’S ALL IN THE TONE Colour is one of the most important considerations when buying outdoor furniture. As well as the natural surroundings, always take stock of your home’s facade, particularly if green space is scarce. In this instance, the Roda furniture takes cues from the stone building behind it. The side chair, bench seat, cushions and coffee table share a similar colour profile to the textured stone wall. An approach like this will always look great and feel like an intuitive extension of a home’s interior. rodaonline.com/en MAKE A STATEMENT Stock standard (read: boring) outdoor furniture is a dime a dozen and guaranteed to create an underwhelming outdoor space. Consider investing in one standout piece of furniture to make your alfresco setting pop. The Rilly Cocoon chair by GamFratesi…

A new collection of outdoor furniture designed by Justin Hutchinson for Melbourne design studio Kett, Forrest is curvaceous and inviting. Made from premium-grade teak, the range is named to honour Forrest in Victoria and celebrates a natural, timeless and Australian aesthetic. Defined by intricate timber features and sweeping curves, the collection includes refined dining tables, sofas and occasional pieces and is exclusively available through Cosh Living. The seat and back cushions comprise all-weather reticulated foam for supreme breathability and drainage and are upholstered in resilient outdoor fabrics. The distinct, delicate woven details of the Forrest are incredibly strong, offering functional support for long lunches and relaxed evenings with the family as the sun sets. All pieces are hand-finished and are lovingly and expertly constructed by talented craftspeople who embrace the…

We all fantasise about an outdoor retreat that maximises our alfresco space and keeps our gardens thriving, even when space is scant. Enter CleverDeck Xtreme composite timber decking, the low-maintenance outdoor material giving traditional wood a run for its money. Appropriate for seating and fencing as well as decking, the capped composite timber creates perfect outdoor spaces, even when dealing with the smallest backyards. Manufacturing usable outdoor space isn’t just good for the soul, it’s good for the hip pocket. A new outdoor living area attracts potential buyers like honey to a bee. Futurewood composite timber products are renowned for their hard-wearing and long-life characteristics, and this new offering is no different. Unlike actual timber, these boards never require painting, sanding or oiling, meaning users can avoid the endless maintenance…

Enjoying long summer days and nights in a beautiful wet and dry entertainment area was a priority for this young family. Designed by COS Design and built and installed by Domain Pools, the large pool comes complete with swim-out ledge, spa and deck area and delivers fun for all ages. High-end finishes continue with an expansive undercover entertaining area housing an open fire and outdoor kitchen with an intricate crazy paving feature. Plantings frame different zones while also providing privacy. As a highlight, the project incorporates various products from Granite Works, including bluestone coping with a 100mm drop-down face, a bluestone crazy paving feature area in front of the fireplace, and bluestone block water spouts in the pool. All bluestone was produced to custom sizes by Granite Works. Granite Works…