Stickybeak of the Week: A Layered Garden to While Away the Hours In
Take a tour around a Melbourne garden retreat designed for an active and social family
When you need a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, a leafy garden oasis can be the perfect hideaway and this stunning design by Myles Broad of Eckersley Garden Architecture provides the perfect example. The artistic and relaxing space was recently featured in the annual National Gallery of Victoria & Women’s Association (NGVWA) Garden Day event which showcased some of the best garden designs in the elegant suburb of Toorak, Melbourne. Broad was first greeted by an uninspiring classical garden which could be viewed in its entirety from the back window. “The inspiration was to create a beautiful, arousing garden that would serve an active and social family”, he explains and to implement this brief, he introduced a lush and functional escape for the homeowners that was divided into key areas in which they could enjoy the various aspects of outdoor life.
Broad makes it clear that he is not one to follow trends and encourages other gardeners to revolt against them and use more timeless and simplistic design elements. However, he does promote one trend – authenticity. “The idea of making things look lived in and care free. Let’s hope that this trend can continue and we can all be a little more relaxed in our own homes. I recently had a client asking for more ‘WOW’ factor in a courtyard that I designed. I had to explain that I don’t really do ‘WOW factor’ and that there was a timelessness in a simple bubbling lily pond that didn’t need a stainless steel water feature/Grecian urn or vertical garden behind it.”
Chairs: Smoke and Moka: Harp Dining Armchair: Table: Pier Dining Table
Chairs: Smoke and Moka: Harp Dining Armchair: Table: Pier Dining Table
These three spaces are unified with the repetition of Acer palmatum ‘Japanese Maples’, Liriope ‘Royal Purple’ (pictured above) and Nandina domestica ‘Sacred Bamboo’. Seasonal bulbs are also added to the mix, including ‘Belladonna Lilies’ Amaryllis belladonna, ‘Jonquils’ and ‘Christmas Lilies’ (pictured above) to add variety all-year-round.
Looking beyond the dining area, the eye is drawn to an intriguing garden retreat. Light canopied Acer palmatum line the pathway creating visual blocks to the opening and the Liriope add splashes of colour. Following this path leads to a leafy clearing which the homeowners use to kick back and relax.
“Creating ‘mood’ in a garden is something that people often miss without good design. It’s an intangible element to a garden that needs to be carefully planned and brilliantly executed over the first few years of a garden’s development,” explains Broad.
“Creating ‘mood’ in a garden is something that people often miss without good design. It’s an intangible element to a garden that needs to be carefully planned and brilliantly executed over the first few years of a garden’s development,” explains Broad.
The colourful wire frame chairs and table, along with the domed lights immersed in the garden bed are fun features added by the homeowners and contrast against the natural setting.
Salmon + Orange Tio Collection chairs: Luke
Salmon + Orange Tio Collection chairs: Luke
The paving by Rhodes Architectural Stone is made of reclaimed granite from old stone laneways in China and brings a century-old tale to the modern Toorak backyard. “When they’re pulling down villages to make way for cities, some old stone laneways are discarded in favour of new beautifully calibrated and flat pavers,” says Broad. The random shapes and length of the planks add an informality to the otherwise structured space.
The recurring stone ground cover between the paving is Thymus serphyllum ‘White Creeping Thyme’ and softens the overall look of this garden retreat.
The recurring stone ground cover between the paving is Thymus serphyllum ‘White Creeping Thyme’ and softens the overall look of this garden retreat.
Clarity and greenery is the key according to Broad, and provides the essence of this space. “An outdoor space to me should be simple in material and plant selection and absolutely draped in greenery. It should be responsive to the seasons and create a relaxed mood.” he says.
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One of the most striking features of the garden is the use of Parthenocissus quinquefolia ‘Virginia creeper’ draping from the pergola in the dining area. It provides a whimsical element and adds another veil of mystery inviting the visitor to explore further.