Table of contents for Issue #60 2022 in Backyard and Outdoor Living

Spring has sprung and what a fantastic time to get out into the garden — for both work and play. To help get you motivated, our Maintenance feature this issue details how you can get your outdoor space in top shape for the warmer months. Do you need to hit refresh on your outdoor space? In Snapshot, we showcase this season’s hottest furniture looks. Later in Expert Advice, Justine Wilson from Vault Interiors gives her top tips on how to style your outdoors for spring. Plus, Selling Houses Australia alumni, Charlie Albone, shares his spring gardening tips. It’s the perfect weather to get back into the pool and to celebrate, we take a look at our favourite pool designs in Best Of. Have you ever thought about incorporating art or…

COOL AND CLASSIC The modern yet timeless Navagio outdoor sofa and occasional chair features a strong contemporary silhouette using robust materials, the combination of which creates a balanced alternation of form and functionality. The design boasts low-seated cushioning in all-weather fade and sunproof fabric, reticulated drainage outdoor foam and a frame crafted from ethically sourced A-grade teak. Anthony Spon-Smith, Coco Republic’s CEO, believes that outdoor spaces should be beautiful, if not more beautiful than your home’s interior. “Our new outdoor designs evoke modern design for an alfresco lifestyle. The new Navagio outdoor sofa and occasional chair are standouts; the modern but classic design holds a strong yet contemporary shape with an overall balance of form and functionality,” he says. cocorepublic.com.au HOIST THE ANCHOR Looking for an innovative on-trend chair that…

Garden sculptures usually take the form of a delicate water fountain or friendly gnome, but this epic garden design takes outdoor art to the next level. Featuring a 16m, three-dimensional, sculptural ribbon, the underused side of this Vaucluse home was transformed into an artistic marvel. “At my first meeting with the client, it was made very clear that 'wow factor’ was the catch phrase for this project," says Steve Warner, principal landscape designer at OUTHOUSE Design. “A key question for me was to understand what happy moment in the life of the client stood out." That happy moment was the recent wedding of the client’s daughter and the music that was played on the day. This beautiful selection of music became the inspiration Steve and his team needed to transform…

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2021/2022 Winner Residential Landscaper of the Year Category Residential Construction up to $70k Arefined, contemporary and minimal garden in Brisbane's riverside suburb of Hawthorne took out the residential category under $70k for a design that perfectly complements the sleek, architecturally-designed home it surrounds. The owner, an interior designer with a background in architecture and a love of gardens, approached Yards based on a word-of-mouth recommendation. Designing for a fellow designer is simultaneously nerve-wracking and exhilarating, with the potential to be either a career-defining or career-ending moment. Thankfully, in this case, the team from Yards were well and truly up to the task, winning in their residential category as well as the overall Residential Landscaper of the Year. Working collaboratively with the owner, the project's main challenge was…

We’re all guilty of it. Turning a blind eye to the peeling paint on the fence, the gutters sprouting sticks and leaves, or the hedge that is so unkempt and snaggly it’s starting to look rather sinister. After all, if it’s a sunny weekend, we have more enjoyable things to do than cleaning the gutters, and if it’s raining, well, best to stay inside all warm and snuggly. Some outdoor chores are about aesthetics, some are about safety. Either way, they can’t be ignored forever because if you do, it could be at your own peril — and I can attest to that. Quite recently, ignoring an ever-growing mossy patch on the paving in my courtyard led to a rather ungainly slip and a hard, painful landing on the concrete.…

THIS WEEKEND With an exceptionally wet summer, particularly along Australia’s east coast that saw devastating floods and severe waterlogging, and a rather cold winter, our gardens are in need of some tender loving care. While some plants have enjoyed these conditions and are now growing exponentially, for many, they will need some additional support to bloom this spring. According to Brisbane gardening expert Kate Wall, some plants have literally drowned. "Plant roots need air to breathe, but the excessive rain has caused waterlogging with devastating impacts on our gardens. Waterlogging occurs when all of the air spaces in the soil are filled with water, with prolonged waterlogging causing root damage. Plants will drop leaves or wilt when they have root damage and can no longer take up water from the…

Spring is the best time to get out in the garden. The winter chill has gone, the days are getting longer and your garden is about to burst into life. 1. GET YOUR GRASS GOING To get your grass going, get out in the garden and fork and aerate your lawn. In early spring, apply a weed killer to remove broadleaf weeds and those pesky bindii. Follow up a few weeks later with lawn fertiliser to keep the grass growing strong and prevent new weeds. The Beat A Weed Natural Weedkiller is a fact-acting weed killer made of natural actives. It works by dehydrating the unwanted plants, burning them from top to bottom. 2. NOURISH YOUR SOIL Before the growing season commences, it’s important to give gardens a good dose…

COOL AND TEMPORARY Want to add some extra personality to your outdoor decor and garden room? Merging bold concrete and subtle tactility, the Ossa ribbed oval dining table is the perfect centrepiece for an inviting alfresco space. It’s a match made in heaven with the Ossa ribbed stool that visually presents with bold lines and subtle textures. This is an eye-catching duo in any outdoor space — perfect for sitting poolside while sipping a cocktail, or for seating when hosting your next gathering at home and dining out alfresco style. globewest.com.au LANDART IS ALSO BYRON BOUND Award-winning Landart — Home, Garden, Beyond is opening a new office in Byron Bay, the first time the renowned design and build business has opened an office outside of Sydney. Matt Leacy, artistic director…

01. A WORK OF ART This project in Sans Souci is an innovative space for outdoor relaxation. It features dominant colours in different shades of white and blue to evoke a palpable sense of refined comfort and luxury. With a flooring finish that features travertine, the new build is a showstopper. The pool is highlighted as the focal point in a way that complements the view and sits comfortably within the landscape. From a distance, you can feel the ambience of a relaxing haven that’s intricately designed with layers, textures, spa water and other key elements. As you move closer, you notice the unfolding layers of complexities that speak volumes of expertise, years of experience, talent and exhaustive planning. bluehaven.com.au 02. TAKE THE PLUNGE Nestled into a hidden Fremantle nook, behind…

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2021/2022 Category Winner Commercial Construction up to $500k The first play structure of its kind in Perth, the Catalina Plane Playground pays tribute to the Catalina Sea Planes flown by allied forces in WWII. Situated in the newly built Catalina residential estate in Perth's northern suburbs, this vibrant and unique playground offers an immersive and imaginative play experience for locals of all ages and abilities. The aeronautical theme was a no-brainer given its location on Aviator Boulevard, which presented LD Total with the extraordinary opportunity to construct a themed playground that was inspired not only from the local estate but also from a unique part of Australian history. The eye-catching, fiery red recreation is an accurate representation of the original Catalinas. Researching and sourcing Catalina sea planes…

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2021/2022 Category Winner Residential Construction $150k to $250k Behind the unassuming facade of a Victorian home in Melbourne’s inner-city lies a surprisingly minimalist backyard oasis complete with infinity pool, landscaped garden and pool house. Heavily inspired by Belgium Interior Architect Marc Merckx, the owners of this Hawthorn home were definite they wanted a pared-back, modern entertaining area seemingly at odds with their heritage-listed 1880s home. Although contrasting and, in theory, mismatched, in reality the synergy created by the juxtaposition of the styles brings into sharp relief the beauty of each. So much so that instead of one detracting from the other, the comparison heightens the merits of both. Aesthetic considerations aside, the owners wanted to create a welcoming, family-friendly outdoor entertaining area appropriate for groups with children…

THIS WEEKEND Trampolines can bring many years of fun for kids and families, but only if they’re built to last. That’s why it’s important to source a trampoline with the highest-quality specifications, and built with the best materials, to prolong the life of the equipment and extend the fun. As a leading supplier of quality trampolines in Australia, Oz Trampolines products are designed to withstand our harsh climate, from freezing temperatures to intense heat and humidity. With quality you can trust and exceptional after-sales service, Oz Trampolines has taken the guesswork out of your next trampoline purchase, making trampolining a breeze. The Australian owned and operated company has shipped more than 70,000 orders since 2007, with thousands of happy customers. OPTIONS TO SUIT Oz Trampolines come in multiple size options…

THIS WEEKEND To step up the sophistication of your outdoor living, an outdoor fireplace is the perfect way to extend the footprint of your home and create better flow between inside and out. A cosy fireplace not only adds ambience to your backyard, but with multi-functionality, it can bring the cooking outside, too. Now that spring has sprung, it's an opportunity to reconsider the liveability of your outdoor space and prepare it for the summer months of entertaining ahead. Born in the deep south of New Zealand, where warmth really matters, Escea specialises in modern gas and wood fireplaces that showcase the most sophisticated fireplace technology available. All Escea outdoor wood fireplaces double as professional cooking appliances, with a range of attachments including meat hooks, grills, kebab holders and pizza…

Tomatoes are among the most popular and rewarding crops in the summer vegetable garden. While all fruit and vegetables taste better picked fresh from the garden, when it comes to homegrown flavour, tomatoes are in a class of their own. As well as tasting good, tomatoes are packed with vitamins and health-giving antioxidants. Tomatoes provide lycopene, an antioxidant found in red fruit, along with vitamins A and C and carotene as well as a good amount of dietary fibre. These are all very good reasons to grow your own. GETTING STARTED Tomatoes offer fer a dizzying number of choices. While ultimately gardeners grow their favourite varieties, a good approach is to select a mix of early- and late-fruiting varieties to extend the harvest. If there is room for extra tomatoes,…

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2021/2022 Category Winner Commercial Construction $500k to $1M Devastated by terrible flooding in 2011, Brisbane’s former riverside restaurant precinct in South Bank has undergone a glamorous facelift. From fine dining to leafy promenade, Riverside Green is a world-class open space for locals and visitors to enjoy freely. Sitting within the greater South Bank Parklands, the thriving green boasts more than 600 square metres of open space. The extensive site has stunning city views and includes a sizeable shaded barbecue pavilion, sunken seating, sprawling green lawn and a lush rainforest-like nook that was unofficially dubbed "the grotto" during construction. Perfect for relaxing with friends and family as you watch the goings-on along the Brisbane River, the site extends the South Bank's rainforest ecosystem by 650 square metres. It…

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2021/2022 Category Winner Residential Construction over $250k Aspectacular, off-the-grid eco lair situated on the doorstep of Noosa National Park, Domic is a state-of-the-art residence that is both gentle and bold, blending seamlessly into the local landscape and standing apart from it at the Same time. Meaning "House of Domes" in Russian, Domic is precisely that, a series of domed, cave-like structures that nestle into the sand dunes above the ocean on the Sunshine Coast. Breathtaking views down to a sheltered beach and out across the ocean make this project feel completely removed from civilisation. The client's brief was for a high-end home that inhabits the site in a considered and respectful way, with a strong link to the neighbouring National Park and endemic flora and fauna. Bespoke…

Outdoor spaces are integral to Australian homes, providing places of refuge, peace, recreation, play and socialisation. As Australians navigate to a life more focused on home living, it is only natural that we are creating spaces that act as a comforting sanctuary, oozing with personal style. One way that this can be achieved is through art. Outdoor art is a true emphasis of self-expression, allowing us to create focal points within our landscapes that say "Hello, here I am, this is me”. Helen Neyland, sculptor and director of Entanglements, explains; "Art allows you to express your own personality and support your lifestyle in your outdoor space." Whether that means congregating with family and friends or enjoying personal peace as you watch the sun rise. "Everyone is gravitating towards home and…

These days, most people understand the importance of recycling, re-using, minimising waste and being kinder to the planet. For many of us, making a choice about reducing our environmental footprint is important, but sometimes the busyness of life gets in the way of taking decisive action. Composting is one of those things that might be on our altruistic to-do list, but seems just out of reach. It's yet another thing we need to research, purchase and figure out how to use. Besides that, some of us might have not-so-fond memories of old ice cream buckets on the kitchen sink, with foul-smelling contents for the garden. But what if composting were super easy, highly functional, discreet and saved money on fertiliser for your potted plants and garden as well? That would…

THIS WEEKEND Everyone is drawn to fire. Having a chiminea or fire pit in your garden entices people to gather, relax and interact; it also extends the use of your outdoor living space, creating warmth and ambience all year round. And when it comes to woodfired cooking, well, that’s a sure-fire way to keep guests wanting to come back for more. Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces specialises in woodfired outdoor heating and cooking, offering a diverse array of chimineas, fire pits and pizza ovens. "We are a small husband-and-wife business that sells premium quality products which 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 made locally in Australia,”…

My neighbour’s sunroom is filled with potted plants. Some are the usual suspects you’d expect to find indoors such as devil’s ivy and ferns, but last winter she moved one of her favourite herbs indoors as well. A late sowing had produced lots of basil plants that weren’t large enough to harvest. As the cold nights arrived, she decided to shelter them indoors. The pots of basil have done so well she was able to enjoy homemade pesto in late June. Even sun-loving basil can be grown in less than full sun in a warm, sunny room or on a windowsill. My friend’s trick was to keep, the plants growing with feeds of liquid fertiliser and to harvest leaves as soon as there were enough to use. Herbs are among…