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A Small, Drab Courtyard Gets a Dreamy, Subtropical Makeover
Landscape designer Janine Mendel reveals how she transformed a dull, sandy courtyard into a leafy, multi-purpose space
In this new Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or project each week. Here, Janine Mendel, principal at Cultivart Landscape Design, takes us through the journey of turning the plain and uninspiring courtyard of a beachside home in WA into a luscious, multi-zone space that’s perfect for pottering and relaxation.
What was the clients’ brief?
To create a contemporary, subtropical-style garden with a solid underlying structure that provides space to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Since the plants would be permanently on display, they wanted species that would
look good for as much of the year as possible.
Read more garden stories
To create a contemporary, subtropical-style garden with a solid underlying structure that provides space to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Since the plants would be permanently on display, they wanted species that would
look good for as much of the year as possible.
Read more garden stories
What was the house and courtyard like originally?
This covered courtyard is on the northern side of a new house in a beachside Perth suburb. It is owned by a pair of downsizers.
Originally, the courtyard was little more than a patch of yellow sand with a Colorbond fence at the rear and a limestone wall on the western side. The site was level, and the soil was sandy and alkaline. The property is subject to windy, coastal conditions at the front, although it’s more protected at the rear where this courtyard is situated.
This covered courtyard is on the northern side of a new house in a beachside Perth suburb. It is owned by a pair of downsizers.
Originally, the courtyard was little more than a patch of yellow sand with a Colorbond fence at the rear and a limestone wall on the western side. The site was level, and the soil was sandy and alkaline. The property is subject to windy, coastal conditions at the front, although it’s more protected at the rear where this courtyard is situated.
What exactly did you do?
How long did the whole project take to install?
Six weeks, including the front garden (not shown).
- Installed a timber boardwalk to connect the living room (accessible by stackable doors) to the courtyard.
- Added a low-level, mosaic-tiled wall housing a water feature that spills into a naturalistic stream with large, washed river stones.
- Added built-in seating and a paved dining area.
How long did the whole project take to install?
Six weeks, including the front garden (not shown).
Where did most of the budget go?
On the hard landscaping.
What was your thinking behind the different decking levels?
Sometimes, in a very small courtyard, level changes can take up too much space. But, here I was able to incorporate a layered platform leading to a rectangular seating area with a built-in daybed at the top. Being able to see the level changes here makes the garden feel larger than it is – an effect that’s boosted by the sections of reflective polished stainless steel behind the timber screen that bounce natural light and reflections of the plants around the space.
On the hard landscaping.
What was your thinking behind the different decking levels?
Sometimes, in a very small courtyard, level changes can take up too much space. But, here I was able to incorporate a layered platform leading to a rectangular seating area with a built-in daybed at the top. Being able to see the level changes here makes the garden feel larger than it is – an effect that’s boosted by the sections of reflective polished stainless steel behind the timber screen that bounce natural light and reflections of the plants around the space.
What were the clients’ must-haves?
Although the space is small, the owners enjoy gardening and wanted to be able to enjoy tending their little patch. They own a soil company, so have a good understanding of how to grow the subtropical plants they wanted.
They also wanted to be able to hear the sound of water in their courtyard.
Best of the Week: 30 Outdoor Showers From Around the World
Although the space is small, the owners enjoy gardening and wanted to be able to enjoy tending their little patch. They own a soil company, so have a good understanding of how to grow the subtropical plants they wanted.
They also wanted to be able to hear the sound of water in their courtyard.
Best of the Week: 30 Outdoor Showers From Around the World
What challenges did you face?
A limited amount of space to work with and a view that consisted of little more than a Colorbond fence. I wanted to create a beautiful view from both the alfresco area and living room, without putting too many plants in front of the fence and making the whole area appear over-planted.
As the garden faces north, we also needed to include some form of summer shading in a way that also allowed for winter sun (we chose an awning).
Lastly, the impoverished alkaline soil and a large, stepped limestone retaining wall under the courtyard area were challenges.
Does the new courtyard blend in or contrast with the home?
The front of the home has more of a coastal style to go with the streetscape, but has a completely different look that works well with the contemporary style of the internal living areas.
A limited amount of space to work with and a view that consisted of little more than a Colorbond fence. I wanted to create a beautiful view from both the alfresco area and living room, without putting too many plants in front of the fence and making the whole area appear over-planted.
As the garden faces north, we also needed to include some form of summer shading in a way that also allowed for winter sun (we chose an awning).
Lastly, the impoverished alkaline soil and a large, stepped limestone retaining wall under the courtyard area were challenges.
Does the new courtyard blend in or contrast with the home?
The front of the home has more of a coastal style to go with the streetscape, but has a completely different look that works well with the contemporary style of the internal living areas.
Why do you think the project works so well?
It creates a balance between hard surfaces and planting, which makes this garden a joy to be in as well as view from indoors. The use of highly polished stainless steel behind sections of the timber screen reflects the foliage and makes the garden look larger than it is.
And it’s a great illustration of my belief that no area is too small for a garden – you just need the right design.
So You Want Some Terrazzo Tiles?
It creates a balance between hard surfaces and planting, which makes this garden a joy to be in as well as view from indoors. The use of highly polished stainless steel behind sections of the timber screen reflects the foliage and makes the garden look larger than it is.
And it’s a great illustration of my belief that no area is too small for a garden – you just need the right design.
So You Want Some Terrazzo Tiles?
Key design aspects
Materials palette
Spotted-gum timber decking and fencing; mosaic tiles on the water-feature wall; washed (sustainably sourced) river stones in the water feature; artificial turf on the sitting platform; Corten steel edging around the water feature; stainless steel behind the fencing; and stone cladding for the alfresco wall.
Planting list
Tell us
What do you love about this courtyard? Tell us in the Comments. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join the conversation.
More
Inspired? Read last week’s Project of the Week: A Small but Mighty Addition to a ‘50s Home
Materials palette
Spotted-gum timber decking and fencing; mosaic tiles on the water-feature wall; washed (sustainably sourced) river stones in the water feature; artificial turf on the sitting platform; Corten steel edging around the water feature; stainless steel behind the fencing; and stone cladding for the alfresco wall.
Planting list
- Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia blakeana)
- Snow pear (Pyrus nivalis)
- Tahitian lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Philodendron xanadu
- Stripey White variegated mondo grass (Ophiopogon intermedians)
- Little Ruby ground cover (Alternanthera dentata)
- Good luck tree (Cordyline fruticosa)
- Snow queen variegated hibiscus (Hibiscus cooperi)
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
- Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)
Tell us
What do you love about this courtyard? Tell us in the Comments. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join the conversation.
More
Inspired? Read last week’s Project of the Week: A Small but Mighty Addition to a ‘50s Home
Answers by landscape designer Janine Mendel of Cultivart Landscape Design
Who lives here: A pair of downsizers
Location: Coogee, Western Australia
Courtyard size: Around 30 square metres (3.5 metres wide by 8.5 metres long)
Gained: A new, landscaped courtyard with a multi-level timber boardwalk, a water feature housed in a mosaic-tiled wall, built-in seating and a paved dining area (latter not shown)
Budget: Between $50,000 and $75,000
Landscape installer: INEX Pro Landscaping