A beautifully composed garden combining Tuscan and Balinese design notes
Landscape of the Year Awards Entrant NSW
Of Italian heritage and lovers of Balinese design, the homeowners wanted their garden to reflect these two lifestyle influences. “The design brief was to divide the outdoor space into two areas — one of Tuscan style; the other Balinese inspired — while maintaining overall design cohesion,” says Ziggy Zabbout, director of Eloquent Landscapes.
“By blending these design aesthetics and mixing in Mediterranean materials and plants, such as natural stone and olive trees, as well as lush tropical planting, we created a tranquil, resort-style garden for outdoor entertaining and relaxation.”
This is a long, steep and narrow garden that unfolds through a series of outdoor rooms, starting with the elevated pool courtyard and flowing through to lounging, dining and entertaining spaces, all framed by specimen trees and layered planting.
“The Balinse-inspired pool courtyard forms the main relaxation zone with comfy sunlounges overlooking the tiered garden and a refreshing outdoor shower nearby,” says Ziggy. “A custom off-form concrete barbecue bench with a Wolf barbecue, double-door bar fridge and woodfired pizza oven, as well as ample storage and a sink, creates a functional outdoor kitchen zone.
“The dining area sits beneath a timber gazebo with a thatched roof. This space has a concealed outdoor television, enabling it to do double duty as a casual lounge area.
“The planting palette balances tropical Balinese species with Mediterranean influences. Palms and lush foliage provide a tropical feel while olive trees and seasonal plantings enhance the Tuscan character of the garden. Subtle landscape lighting highlights the feature trees and there is low-level path lighting to guide movement through the multi-level garden at night and allow the entertaining spaces to be enjoyed, safely and in style, during the evening.”
Warm-toned natural stone paving was used throughout, reinforcing the Tuscan theme and adding texture, as does the brick paving. Reclaimed furniture was used within the entertaining spaces, including a bench seat and dining table, demonstrating the homeowners’ interest in sustainability.
Decorative pieces collected by the couple during their travels in Tuscany were also incorporated, including salvaged iron gate panels, which were used as wall art, vintage olive oil bottles planted with herbs, and a mosaic surname plaque. A Buddha statue and imported Balinese furniture reinforce the restful resort ambiance.
“The pool was built into an existing rock shelf, a process that required extensive excavation using a one-tonne excavator fitted with a hammer. Restricted access meant that much of the material had to be manually removed,” adds Ziggy. “And as the property, located in Sydney’s Inner West, sits between two street levels, very careful coordination was needed for deliveries and to crane in the mature trees.”
The garden, designed and built by Eloquent Landscapes, reflects the owners’ personalities, travels and tastes, blending Tuscan warmth with Balinese tranquility to create a private, multi-level garden retreat for entertaining and everyday living.
For more information
Eloquent Landscapes
Mobile 0401 271 722
Email info@eloquentlandscapes.com.au
