Outside
Mask sounds Privacy in gardens extends beyond sight. Installing a water feature, with the gentle sound it produces, will help to muffle any bothersome sounds, such as road traffic or people talking next door or on the pavement. If you place a water feature in the centre of a patio, it will also draw the eye in and discourage you from gazing outwards towards the boundary. A wall of water can also work as a good sound barrier and give visual impact in a small space. A mirror positioned on a back wall will further enhance the space and reflect the garden back, therefore giving the illusion that you’re in the middle of a larger garden, and away from neighbours.
Draw the eye to focal points The blue uplight in this Sydney garden immediately focuses the line of sight on the stunning spherical artwork on the rear boundary. The designer has also used uplights to highlight the bold form of the sculptural aloe behind the sphere. When a plant or artwork is positioned against a plain wall consider using back lighting (placing the light source behind the feature) to shine upwards creating a strong silhouette.
Provide task lighting Where a good strong light is needed for cooking, security and other practical functions use directional task lighting as shown in this Perth patio area. However, always make sure you can vary the light intensity. Here, dimmer switches would ensure the very bright light levels can be lowered once the food is cooked and dining is underway.
The art of disguise Who among us doesn’t have a wall we look out onto that we’d rather not see. Well rather than a coat of paint, consider timber screens plus a green wall. Many modular vertical gardens are self-watering, which means they can extend up high to cover even the most imposing walls, without requiring a ladder climb every other day.
Bring the outside in, big time Here’s another decorating idea that’s relatively straightforward, if you have a decent amount of light entering a room; erect a trellis just below ceiling height, then train a trailing vine such as devil’s ivy (Pothos), which can grow up to several metres in the right indoor conditions, over the top to provide a beautiful green canopy. This is particularly appealing above a dining table or as a softening device in an otherwise hard-surfaced area. Tip: For maximum convenience this can be grown out of a plumbed-in planter.
Metal garden sculptures come in a variety of finishes, including high shine and a soft, polished lustre that creates subtle reflections. This enormous polished steel donut shows a distorted and intriguing image of greenery and surrounding urban buildings in a New York rooftop courtyard. Note how the striking convex form of the sculpture echoes the spiral curves of the table.
To disperse harsh reflections, just add water. A cascade of water creates lovely effects on a reflective background, and the gentle trickle of water is a soothing accompaniment to alfresco dining. Tip: We hear occasional suggestions that garden mirrors are fire risks. No statistics are available and evidence is anecdotal. The risk appears extremely small and would need a ‘perfect storm’ of a focus of light on a very flammable material. Placing glass mirrors in indirect sunlight and diffusing the reflected glare is a sensible precaution.
Flat, mirrored glass gives a crisp, high-definition image – great if you’re after realism. Other materials and surfaces, however, also produce stunning effects. Acrylic and polished metal (try steel, copper or aluminium), convex or concave profiles, and hammered, etched or corrugated forms offer endless scope for fanciful and unusual reflections. This pretty Japanese maple deserves to be seen – twice. Against a wall of polished steel panels, the effect of its slightly misty reflection is magical.
Add a ‘ceiling’ Feeling cosy is often about creating a sense of being contained, so why not add a ‘ceiling’ to your garden’s seating zone? Here, a wooden pergola helps turn a seating area into somewhere you’ll want to sit for hours. You can buy wooden pergolas off the peg or have something built bespoke. Plants that will happily twist around pergolas to create a leafy canopy include clematis, jasmine, wisteria and climbing roses.
Plant lighting. Plant type Palm-like plants. Cycads typically form a woody trunk with a crown of leaves, and are closely related to conifers. Pictured here is a low-growing cycad from Mexico, the cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea). Size Cycads range in size depending on the species. Some are low, spreading plants while others gradually form a trunk. Some cycads can reach 20 metres in height, but this will take many years as they are slow-growing.
In 2016 Tesla entered the market with its innovative Solar Roof in a joint venture with SolarCity. Installations are due to begin in Australia in 2018. Solar Roof uses solar and non-solar tiles so that customers can select the exact number of tiles to suit their electricity consumption needs, yet still have a roof in which the solar and non-solar tiles appear seamless. Made with tempered glass, Solar Roof will be available in a range of designs, including smooth, textured, Tuscan and slate.
Solar roof tiles in Australia The first commercial solar roof tiles were introduced in America in 2005. Today, there are a number of companies currently producing and supplying solar roof tiles in Australia. One notable design is the Monier SolarTile – a sleek, modular solar tile that is used in place of conventional tiles. The SolarTiles are made from monocrystalline solar cells and produce about 30W each, in which case 100 tiles are needed for a 3kW solar system. This is sufficient to power a small- to medium-sized home. Depending on where you live in Australia and how much daylight is received, a 3kW system will generate between 10kWh and 15kWh per day. Another impressive style is Tractile Solar – an integrated solar panel that uses layered technology to convert solar energy into electricity and solar-boosted hot water. Manufacturer Tractile was made a finalist in the 2006 Australian Design Awards for the innovative design.
DENFAIR Save Email Stem & Stamen showcased the FernPanel, a revolutionary modular green wall system that’s been designed and woven in Australia with natural, preserved ferns and moss sourced from Europe, South America and Australia. The FernPanel requires no water, soil or sunlight and lasts for years with next to no maintenance. FernPanel tiles are easy to align and install to create a large green wall for a courtyard, or as individual panels for a smaller feature wall or home office.
The low curved wall pictured here provides both form and function. It allows for a deeper-set garden bed for plantings as well as the ability to cradle a water feature with strong planting lines. The low wall also provides casual seating for the homeowners and guests. Subtle floor lights work to highlight the shape of the wall without detracting from it.
Curved lines really are a small garden’s or courtyard’s best friend. When mixed with straight lines and assorted plantings, they can create an attractive and visually interesting outdoor hub. EXPERT TIP: “In a small garden I find the combination of angles and curves a very useful design strategy,” says Mendel. “Curves are a very effective tool for successfully merging obtuse and acute angles which are changing direction. Curves can also give a more organic feel to a garden area.”
This fantastic circular raised red planter makes a bold statement in this courtyard. Filled with a crepe myrtle, the planter works as an eye-catching feature, but due to its central placement also divides the outdoor area into different zones EXPERT TIP: “When using curves in a garden they need to be definite, not just wavy lines. Even a naturalistic landscape benefits from a well structured curve,” says Poole.
For the Karloff restaurant in the Kreuzberg area of Berlin Dérian designed this abstract portrait of the restaurant’s namesake, actor Boris Karloff in his role as Frankenstein. Simple and ingenious, the 4 x 5-metre image is made up of halved standard tiles. It cost about 4,000 euros (about AU$6,000) overall.
To change the feeling of a space without adding back any clutter, try rearranging outdoor furniture for a new perspective, or adding a fresh coat of paint in a surprising hue. This pair of lime green Adirondack chairs set against a cobalt blue wall brings energy and life to the otherwise fairly monochromatic garden.
Wall feature A series of breeze blocks create a decorative feature wall in this outdoor courtyard. The angular lines, which form triangles and diamonds, break up the solid brick wall to add visual interest and create an airier space.
Breeze blocks enclose the courtyard while still having a sense of openness. Breeze blocks are a great choice for small spaces, as they allow natural ventilation while providing shade and privacy.
Kitchen island The breeze-block front on this kitchen island adds a decorative touch to this clean-lined and minimalist space. “Our client came to us with a love of textiles and the Palm Springs influence, and they asked us to work this breeze block into the addition,” says Sally Wilson of SW-Architects. Wilson used the block for the kitchen island to create a hard-wearing foothold for the clients’ children. “Breeze blocks are a fantastic masonry element to work with,” Wilson says. Because internal masonry doesn’t need the same large mortar joints as external masonry, she recommends “keeping the detailing thin and crisp to avoid too much bulk”.
Composed of breeze blocks, this front wall provides a sense of privacy and security, as well as a visible and physical boundary. However, the visibility through the wall maintains the connection between the house and the street, and the openness of the blocks reduces the sense of enclosure. These blocks have a ‘double square’ pattern that suits the flat lines and horizontal nature of the house, while breaking up the solidity of its forms.
To the side is another glazed door with a pivot opening, which brings in even more light. Around the perimeter are sunken lights to illuminate the space in the evening.
“A big move was to lower the floor level in the extension,” says Murray. With this new even surface, the engineered oak floorboards inside lead seamlessly out to the patio. The connection is enhanced further by sliding doors along two external walls, allowing the owner to really enjoy the greenery around him.
To ensure the thirsty ferns in the garden get enough water, Murray devised a concealed system to collect rainwater. A thin line in the floor around the building provides drainage and pipework below leads the rainwater to a hidden water butt in front of the steel cladding to the left.
Small space maximiser Running the stainless-steel-topped kitchen cabinets in this Richmond, Victoria warehouse conversion from inside to out has visually expanded the space, and given purpose to the tiny outdoor terrace. It now provides an extra servery when guests are over, as well as additional storage for bulky appliances so that benchtops are kept neat and clear. Win-win.
A flexible approach An all-weather cooking and dining zone that can be opened up when you’re entertaining, or sealed off when the weather turns, is a great way to boost your home’s footprint. To draw attention away from the small section of wall breaking up the two areas in this Carina Heights, Queensland home, the owners have opted to carry through the same warm white kitchen cabinetry to create a sense of cohesion.
Wall as artwork
Curves
This courtyard garden also has strategically positioned lighting to ensure all that greenery adds to the atmosphere after dark. Think about the details in your garden that you want to pick out with light, and either fit downlights, as seen here, or get moveable uplights you can position in pots or beds.
Corner seating
Garden’s smart capabilities: circuits for lighting, irrigation and water features use WeMo Insight switches that connect to a phone app, allowing them to be controlled from anywhere. If you’re installing or replacing the electrics in your garden, it’s easy to add an app-controlled element like this, which simply plugs into a wall outlet. You could even add this capability to existing garden circuits, however, be aware that these wi-fi-enabled plugs are not for external use and should only be plugged into outdoor circuits that have indoor plug sockets.
Outdoor room Make your landscaping a fabulous space to enjoy at night, as well as during the day. Choose from a variety of spotlights or concealed uplights, which can be recessed into the landscape’s architectural features. Choose the placement, amount of light (known as lumens) and how it will be directed to add dimension and interest to your space. Many options are available now for energy-efficient LED fittings with outdoor ratings. Solar-powered LED options are also available for outdoor lighting, with the added benefit of being DIY-friendly with no wiring.
Pond with stepping stones
Gas firepit
Riverstone in wire
Variety of steps
Seating by fireplace
Compressed-fibre cement Compressed-fibre cement is the latest kid to arrive on the alternative decking block. Made from a mixture of cement, sand and cellulose fibre machined to a smooth finish, it offers all the benefits of splinter- and warp-free durability and weather-resistance, albeit with a higher price tag than some of the other composite decking products. “[Compressed fibre-cement decking] is a good alternative to a super-hard surface like tiles or concrete,” Aulburn says. “It’s still hard-wearing, but gives a softer-looking finish.”
Acetylated wood If you’re not sold on the appearance of composite decking boards, but remain hesitant about the ongoing demands of timber, acetylated wood might be the product for you. Acetylation is a century-old treatment that alters the chemical structure of the wood, making it stronger and more ‘dimensionally stable’, so it does not expand and contract in response to changes in temperature and humidity. The timber becomes resistant to cracking, splintering and decay, and in Europe and the US it’s widely used for exterior applications such as windows, doors, cladding, and – you guessed it – decking. If you’re curious about how the acetylation works, this document explains it in more detail.
Another way in which composites differ from timber is the way they’re installed. “Most composite decking systems utilise concealed fixings,” Aulburn says. “They’ll have either a clip that goes in between the two boards that holds them down, or a track that they clip into. You don’t see any screws or nails, and it creates a nice sleek look.” Aulburn chose Huskwood in ‘Charcoal’ for this hidden-away deck in a garden on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The dramatic colouring and streamlined, nail-free fixings create a striking finish.
Aulburn also hasn’t received any negative feedback regarding the performance of composite decking boards, but offers two caveats: “Some people say they get hot underfoot. And you’ve got to be a little bit more careful with scratching from dragging furniture over them,” he says.
Composite boards are designed to look and feel similar to timber decking, but are virtually maintenance free: they won’t warp or rot, and never require resealing or painting. “A hardwood timber deck such as merbau or jarrah looks absolutely beautiful once you put it down and you give it two coats of oil,” says Paul Wilkinson, owner of Castlegate Home Improvements in WA. “But the truth is that’s the best it’s ever going to look. After a few years of not getting proper maintenance, it starts to look tatty. Whereas the composite board is maintenance free, and that’s what sells it.”
Composite decking An environmentally friendly decking option, composite decking is made from recycled wood pulp, fibre or sawdust, mixed with plastic and machine-extruded into long, uniform boards, (often more than five metres in length). The actual composition varies between brands – some products use rice husks or bamboo rather than wood, and some use recycled plastics.
Bamboo Bamboo, while not technically a tree, is an easy growing courtyard plant; just make sure you don’t let it grow out of control. There are many different species and cultivars readily available, so choose one you like and ask your local nursery how often you will need to maintain it to keep it looking tidy and trim. Bamboo is also a great plant for down the sides of your house in order to screen off nosy neighbours.
Philodendrons These are classic courtyard plants, some of which are trees, and are well suited to indoor growing as well. They tend to do better in more tropical environments, so check with your nursery expert to see if they recommend the species of philodendron you’ve chosen. A good starting species is Philodendron bipinnatifidum which grows well in sheltered sites as far south as Melbourne, and is perfect for a small secluded courtyard.
Light it for drama LED lighting under any type of contemporary wall-hung or overhanging furniture (i.e. floorstanding but on a narrow plinth) can create an atmospheric effect, highlighting the sense of it appearing to float. It looks as if this drawer unit has been fitted with strips of LED underneath that do just that. Be aware that there are several types of white light, from soft and warm to sharp and cool. You could also opt for a colour.
Recessed doors
Fully retracting doors
Mix bricks The bricks themselves can be the featured art if you have a combination of colours. Here, salvaged bricks mixed with glazed coloured bricks form a pattern. The salvaged bricks have been cleaned to a point, but existing marks were left for their distinctive look.
Carla painted the mural in the courtyard in celebration of her love of Art Deco and illustration. “I wanted to add colour to the outdoor area, and continue the aqua-teal accents found in the rest of the house,” she says. “In the end, I chose an abstract peacock design.”
Deck around the tree
Indoor outdoor flow
Sliding doors that retract into wall
Architectural focus
Hanging firepit
Mediterranean look with brickwork
Bright varigated leaves
Nurture your own lush hideaway By creating the right microclimate, with a choice of semi and hardy tropical evergreen plants, you can have a lush secret hideaway in an small urban space. Bamboos are ideal for privacy, and a good one for hedging is Fargesia robusta, which also does well in the shade and doesn’t require a root barrier, making it ideal if you’re concerned about the bamboo spreading too much. For containers and taller specimens, try Fargesia nitida, and for a more compact bushy plant, consider Fargesia rufa. To add height and for a sunnier spot, opt for Phyllostachys aurea, but remember to keep it well watered in the summer months and to repot it as it outgrows its container. For large leaf coverage, use Fatsia japonica, and for scented dense evergreen foliage, go for the winter box plant, Sarcococca.
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