Lindfield
NSW
02 9880 9399
Balcony bliss
Living in an apartment is no barrier to having a contemporary outdoor retreat.
Just because you live in an apartment it doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream of having a well-designed space in which to entertain alfresco. You may have to consider some things more carefully, like plant selection and privacy, but by applying the same principles you would to designing any small garden space, you can achieve amazing results.
Balcony Gardens Australia, the innovative company responsible for the design and construction of this modern entertaining space, specialises in balcony and rooftop gardens. For this Sydney apartment, Balcony Gardens Australia’s designer Tim Barnes has delivered a contemporary, low-maintenance design that has an inviting resort feel thanks to the use of tropical plants, water elements and luxury inclusions like the generous daybed.
To maximise the space and maintain the sleek styling of the space, Tim has included built-in storage under the daybed and bench seating, integrated lighting, and used screens and built elements to divide the area into zones, with one such zone comprising a small outdoor kitchen.
Wide merbau decking was laid on the floor, the warm tones and inviting timber texture an effective contrast to the grey pebbles, charcoal coloured planters and the plants
Plant selection is always a key consideration in a balcony or terrace garden as the plants need to be able to thrive in windy, exposed conditions and take to life in a pot or planter. Here, Tim has used Golden Cane palms to give the desired tropical resort feel along with New Zealand flax, agaves and yuccas. For a softening effect and to add movement when a breeze crosses the balcony, he used two feathery grasses, Pennisetum ‘Rubra’ and Pennisetum ‘Nafray’.
Other challenges included the transport of materials, which had to be taken up in a lift, and protection from high winds, which Tim combated with the installation of privacy screens for wind breaks. No matter what the challenges, in the hands of a skilled design and construction team they can all be successfully resolved. www.balconygardens.com.au |
