OUTDOOR ROOMS DESIGN & LIVING

3rd Edition
This luxury outdoor kitchen and dining area combine elegance with functionality

A spectacular outdoor kitchen and dining area. An effortless indoor-outdoor connection and an impressive outlook over an exquisitely Glen Iris landscape design -what more could the discerning homeowners and avid entertainer desire?

“The challenge for this Melbourne landscape design and construction project was to integrate the outdoor and indoor living areas of the home, with the emphasis on creating a luxurious space where friends and family could be entertained year-round.” says John Woollard of Exquisite Gardens Australia.

Incorporating only the finest fittings and finishes, this elegant entertainment space boasts a fully functional outdoor kitchen, including a sleek granite island bench, state-of the art cooking station and range hood There is also a granite work/preparation bench, complete with sink and hot water; a refrigerator, white vinyl-wrapped cabinetry, stone walling and feature wood stacks.

The outdoor kitchen is located adjacent to the dining area, which allows the owners to cook and talk to guests at the same time. When seated at the table, which is large enough to accommodate 10, guests can relax in neo classical splendor and savor the view of a traditional urn water feature positioned at the end of a grand colonnade This colonnade draws the eye out into the meticulously landscaped garden area and adds an air of elegant formality to the setting.

During the day, skylights in the roof of the outdoor room allow natural light to flood in. At night, ceiling and wall lights combine with the garden lighting and water feature lighting to create the perfect atmosphere for a formal dinner party or a casual dinner with the family.

“For all the hard landscape areas to this Glen Iris garden design we have used customized natural stone paving sizes that would ensure a seamless integration between the indoor and outdoor area. The result is a design that is truly timeless,” adds John.

“All in all, this is a project that is a perfect blend of classic styling, natural materials and modern functionality.

BACKYARD DESIGN IDEAS

Launch issue
A luxury outdoor living area designed for year round entertaining.

This Malvern landscape design sees granite stepping-stones lead across a moat into an airy outdoor pavilion designed to do double duty as a stylish dining area and fully functional kitchen. Only the very best materials and finishes were used, from the state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances, including a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and barbecue, to the bench tops fashioned out of Sahara gold granite. The same granite was also used for the paving, pots, water features, pool coping, dining table and stepping-stones.

The cabinetry is also worthy of special note. All the cupboards were handmade and finished with Jarrah facings, displaying the same care and attention to detail you’d expect from an indoor kitchen.

The centerpiece or the outdoor kitchen is a 2.5-metre long solid granite dining table. It provides seating for six and a view of the moat, garden and pool area.

At night the outdoor lighting, which can be manually operated from within the house or via remote control, effects a total transformation .There is lighting at the entrance to the pavilion, in the pond to highlight the waterfall as well as in the pots and feature planting.

Designed and built by Landscapers of Melbourne Exquisite Gardens, this Malvern landscape design abounds with innovative features, in particular the inbuilt Jarrah seating around the pool and the inbuilt trampoline hidden by the pavilion -a source of constant delight to the family’s three children.

Photography by Andrew Lecky

OUTDOOR ROOMS DESIGN & LIVING

8th Edition
A formal landscape exuding elegance and style

Quality construction was paramount to the success of this prestigious project, so the task of turning Hugh Gilmour and Associate’s plans into reality fell to Melbourne landscape company Exquisite Gardens Australia. The result of this Balwyn garden was so impressive Exquisite Gardens won the Residential Landscape of the Year award in the Landscape industries Association of Victoria Awards of Excellence.

This Melbourne garden design called for a formal structure, strong floral displays, water features, ornaments and the creation of separate garden rooms. It also called for a lap pool. Stretching the width of the rear fence, the pool can be seen through the loggias from the back of the two-storey residence.

Plants are used to create the formal structure of the garden. This includes hedge planting to screen and enclose the rear garden, border hedging, standards and topiaries. Espalier plants soften the house and boundary walls.

Such a prestige project demanded only the highest-quality pavers, and Anston was the supplier of choice. Anston pavers are made by combining different types of sand to develop incredibly rich warm colours not possible with pigment coloured pavers. The manufacturing process also creates subtle changes between pavers adding to the natural effect. And as they age, they will develop an attractive patina that will complement the timelessness of the landscaping design.

Photography by Andrew Lecky

OUTDOOR ROOMS DESIGN & LIVING

16th Edition
For such a magnificent home, nothing less than a landscape of superlative design would do.

Of breathtaking beauty, this inspired classical Melbourne landscape is a testament to the design and construction expertise of its creators, Melbourne Landscape Designers – Exquisite Gardens Australia.

During the design phase of the project Exquisite Gardens faced a rather unusual challenge the property is located in one of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs and every home in the street had either recently been landscaped, or was in the process of being transformed. Turning the challenge into an opportunity, the design team set about devising innovative alternative material combinations and unique design solutions to create a landscape unlike any other.

Following a nine-month gestation period, the landmark Toorak garden design delivered by Exquisite Gardens was everything the discerning homeowner hoped for – and more.

“Our objectives were to maintain an extremely high standard of product and a sympathetic balance of hard and soft surfaces within the landscape,” explains Exquisite Garden’s John Woollard. “Many products and design values were researched Australia wide, as well as internationally, creating the perfect landscape for such an extraordinary home.

“Designing and constructing a garden of this magnitude was an amazing opportunity,” he continues. “It allowed us to create a personally tailored environment that not only reflects our client’s lifestyle but complements the architecture of their home. It also allowed us the chance to investigate and explore many luxury products and inclusions to extend and enhance the clients’ outdoor living experience.”

Water is integral to the design and a recurring motif. There are five water features in total and each precisely positioned to be viewed from various areas of the home and garden. There is a water feature at the rear of the house, a water wall by the pool, a formal fountain at the entry to the home plus two lineal ponds with bubblers and water walls.

The hard landscaping elements –in particular the granite paving -are equally impressive and are shown to great advantage in the property’s grand entrance. Paying homage to the artistry of the ancient Romans, there are intricately patterned, decorative mosaic panels inset into the paving and cobblestones that speak of timeless design.

At the rear of the residence, a double path of large format pavers, laid in a stepping stone formation, leads from the portico, across a manicured lawn to a stunning feature area comprised of an elegant wall, water feature and seating. From front to back, this Toorak garden design has a strong sense of balance and symmetry which is enhanced by the formal approach to planting. The exception to this are the feature Canary Island palms (two of the largest available for sale within Australia), which add a dramatic tropical flourish to the landscape.

As with any garden, much of what marks it as a success went on behind the scenes -or more accurately under the ground. In this project, Melbourne Landscapers Exquisite Gardens installed extensive sub surface drainage to all lawn areas, garden beds and behind the retaining walls. Comprehensive surface drainage to all paving areas was also installed and connected to an underground 25,000-litre water tank. This tank provides water for the fully automated PVC irrigation system.

The result is a stunning Toorak landscape design of grand proportions and even grander style. Constructed to last, this is a landscape that will stand the test of time. A true classic!

OUTDOOR ROOMS DESIGN & LIVING

10th Edition
This is an elegantly formal Caulfield garden design with an exciting contemporary twist.

Designed by simple straight lines that complement the architectural style of the house, this is a green and inviting formal Melbourne garden design by Exquisite Gardens Australia that can be enjoyed no matter what the season. During summer, family and friends can sit in the paved courtyard soaking up the sun’s warming rays and savouring the view of the granite urn fountain set in a square, hedge fringed pond. In winter the same stunning view can be enjoyed form inside the house.

The formal water feature sits in the middle of a luxuriant expanse of lawn and is linked to the entertaining area, which has been paved in Black African slate, via a stepping stone path.

Hugging the boundary fence to one side of the courtyard is a simple but stylish shelter for the barbecue. To ensure the space can be used both day and night, lights have been recessed onto its roof.

For this Caulfield landscape design, as in any formal garden design, balance was the key. In this instance, the challenge was to create a space that would be private yet not feel closed in. A hedge of Thuja olicata ‘faxtigiata’ blocks out the view of the neighbor’s house while a pleached hedge of magnolia ‘little gem’ screens external views and maximizes the impact of the gardens. As a colour contrast to the magnolia, Niandina domestica ‘Nana’ was used for the border hedge.

Elsewhere, espaliered climbing plants soften the look of a painted sleeper wall, Syzygium austral makes an appearance in the paved courtyard to complement the arches in the house, and Cycas revolute is used as a feature plant to be viewed from the living room.

Photography by Andrew Lecky

OUTDOOR ROOMS DESIGN & LIVING

6th Edition
A formal style garden of timeless appeal

Designed in the classic formal style by Hugh Gilmour and Associates, the grounds of this breathtaking mansion in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak is truly a work of art.

Melbourne landscaping company Exquisite Gardens Australia were charged with the task of making the designer’s inspired, space-enhancing plans a reality, from the creation of a formal outdoor dining ‘room’ to the ponds, fountains and parterre gardens.

The task of illuminating this fabulously formal landscape fell to Luminance Night Gardens. Using fittings predominantly from Lumascape Lighting Industries, a lighting design was developed that included uplighting of plants and statuary, underwater lighting, step lighting as well as inground fittings and low wall lights to ‘enclose’ the al fresco dining area at night, emphasising the ‘room’ effect of the landscaping.

Adding to the traditional elegance of the landscape is the high-quality granite paving and steps supplied by Granite Works. The granite lends a much-needed solidity to the space, in keeping with the European styling, and is also used to create stepping stones through the parterre gardens.

So impressed of this Toorak garden design and construction were the judges of the Landscape Industries Association of Victoria Awards that Exquisite Gardens won “Best Pavement in a Landscape” for their excellent control of level changes, detailed cutting and quality of line dimension.

OUTDOOR ROOMS DESIGN & LIVING

8th Edition
Words: Kate McKee – Photos: Patrick Redmond

WITH THE STUNNING INCLUSION OF AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE AND SUNKEN LOUNGE AREA, THIS RESORT STYLE LANDCSAPE DESIGN CAN BE ENJOYED ALL YEAR ROUND

The garden design aim for this outdoor area was for the owners to be able to entertain their friends while being able to look over the stunning backyard. Lynelle, a full time mum, and Matt, a real estate agent, have a young family, so it was important for the area to be suitable for kids to run around and grow up in, as well as an easy entertaining space for the couple’s family and friends.

“We were primarily after a resort feel to our outdoor space; ‘says Lynelle.”It also had to below-maintenance; with two small children, time is precious. The design also had to be practical for a growing family with increasing social commitments.”

Melbourne Landscape Designers, Exquisite Gardens Australia was trusted with the design and construction and worked closely with the home owners to achieve a unique landscape for the Cowes, Victoria, property. John Woollard’s relationship with the clients extends much further back than the design and construction of their dream outdoor space: John was part of Lynelle and Matt’s wedding party.

“Matt and John have been good mates for over 10 years now; confirms Lynelle.”We have been continually impressed with the landscapes created by Exquisite Gardens and have been very proud of their success in winning numerous design awards for their work.”

The family uses the outside area mainly as a relaxing haven for themselves or for entertaining family and friends. “Nathan, our three-year-old, loves to play out on the large deck, whether he is on his bike or scooter or pretending to catch fish out of the large pots,” says Lynelle. “It is such a wonderful big space for him to play in.”

During summer; the pool is a big draw card for family and friends “During the warmer months, Matt and I use the space primarily for entertaining. This is such a simple process with the outdoor kitchen. Having the fridge and sink right there with the barbecue is fantastic”

The fully equipped kitchen makes outdoor cooking enjoyable all year round, from poolside barbecues to steaming-hot winter soups and stews near the open fireplace. The simple and accessible kitchen layout and selection of bar stools mean entertaining a crowd a relaxed affair with everything just a stone’s throw from the sunken lounge area and pool. The designated chef can enjoy socialising and being a part of the action while cooking, thanks to the open kitchen and high seating options.

“We use the outdoor space frequently and for a wide variety of entertaining purposes,” says Lynelle. “From kids’ parties to formal catered events, the space molds in to all our requirements.”

Some of Lynelle and Matt’s friends have even chosen to hold their wedding at the residence, a testament to the outside area’s design and versatility. The impressive space lends itself to any type or casual or special occasion. The open layout is perfect for big functions or large crowds, yet the large. Uncluttered space is still inviting and self-­ contained as well as offering privacy from the neighbours.

One of the key features of the outdoor area is without a doubt its adaptability. The design lends itself to entertaining large crowds as much as it does to snuggling up and relaxing next to the fire with a good book when there’s a chill in the air The space also works well in every season-an important element There’s nothing worse than having a beautiful outdoor area that can only be enjoyed at certain times of the year The open fire place and cushioned sunken lounge are perfect for the cooler months. While the pool is of course perfect for the warmer months when a dip is a must. Lynelle and Matt say the sunken lounge is a big hit all year round but winter is when the area really comes into its own “When the fire is blazing you can recline and gaze into it for hours. It is just so relaxing,” says Lynelle. The expert layout of the fireplace also means smoke is drawn up through the chimney so that sitting by the fire is a comfy and pleasurable experience and not a smoky one.

It’s interesting to note that the outdoor fireplace was initially planned to be a water feature but it was decided that the fireplace would be much more suited to the Victorian climate.

The eye-catching large stone feature wall that houses the fireplace provides the area with privacy and a point of difference. “The sunken lounge creates a feeling of being in a separate room and breaks up the deck space very effectively,” notes Lynelle.

Wharf-style decking and random stone paving were used for the flooring surrounding the sunken lounge area as well as inside it. The rich, brown tones of the wood decking work well with the nude tones of the stone feature wall and flooring. Simple black and white soft furnishings for the lounging areas near the fireplace and around the pool and a sense of comfort while not detracting from the natural contrasting hues of the space Accessories such as the white large pots in the garden add another layer of style to the areas aesthetics, again not complicating or cluttering the space.

Extensive rendered brick walls were constructed for the garden planters and retaining walls adding simple lines and a tidy and well maintained appearance to the perimeter. Another significant feature of this outdoor living zone is the garden and pool lighting, which when turned on at night is nothing short of spectacular. The well-placed lighting allows the space to be utilised to its full potential when the sun goes down a swell as during the day.

The small trees and palms are illuminated at night by a selection of up-lights while down-lights cast a bright glow on the kitchen area and bar. The border shrubbery and trees are kept lush and green by a fully automated PVC irrigation system. This easy-to use system means the garden area can be kept looking its best without much maintenance, a priority for the homeowners. There is also extensive sub-surface drainage to all the gardens and behind all retaining walls.

“I think Exquisite Gardens utilised the space perfectly and created a wonderful relaxed feel with excellent attention to the finer details”; concludes Lynelle. “They have achieved the resort style we were after and we couldn’t be happier”.