Designed as a cosy, comfy and convivial gathering space, this unique garden encourages you to go with the flow
Landscape of the Year Awards Entrant NSW
It’s a term you have no doubt heard — hygge — and it’s what the family wanted for their garden. While there is no precise definition, it’s a Danish concept that promotes slowing down, taking time out to relax with others, and enjoying the quieter pleasures of life.
“A feeling of welcome and places to gather was important,” says Steve Warner, principal designer at OUTHOUSE design. “The owners wanted a garden that felt intimate and peaceful but had the flexibility to be used for entertaining, as needed.
“The garden we created is soft, organic, tactile and engaging — and a sense of calm washes over you as soon as you enter the space. Removing the square lawn and straight pathway allowed us to create a leisurely journey through the garden, even though it is such a small space. The flowing, curved path also allowed us to include a lawn area for the family’s beloved dog.”
The existing outdoor room also required a major revamp; in particular, the overhead structure. Steve worked with a structural engineer to extend the roof and give it a sculptural shape. Three skylights were also added to bring in more natural light.
“An Accoya timber deck was installed over the previously tiled area beneath the overhead structure. By laying the boards on an angle, we created a sense of movement as well as a seamless connection to the new main pathway,” says Steve.
Steve also used Accoya in the two curvy bench seats — places where members of the family can gather in summer. In winter, they can warm themselves around the fire pit paired with the seat in the corner of the garden — a seat that also includes built-in wood storage for easy access. With comfort a priority, both seats have curved back rests and plenty of space for one person to stretch out or for many to congregate.
The lush and layered planting palette was composed with minimal maintenance and water use in mind. The feature tree is a crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Sioux’), chosen for its vase-shaped form and long-lasting profusion of pink flowers. The key shrubs include curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), lily turf (Liriope muscari ‘Just Right’), Indian hawthorn (Raphiolepis indica ‘Oriential Pearl’), coastal rosemary (Westringia ‘Aussie Box’) and renga lily (Athropodium cirratum).
Providing ground coverage you will spy thyme (Thymus vulgaris), bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’) and native violet (Viola banksia ), while fragrant star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) snakes its way up the boundary walls.
“The planting complements the tones of the exposed aggregate paving and contrasts the reclaimed tile inserts that act as linking elements and visually stretch the space. To cool the garden, and create a sense of scale, there is an oversized water feature. This is a self-reticulating unit, which means minimal water exposure so zero pesky mosquitoes,” says Steve.
OUTHOUSE design entrusted the construction of the garden to Urban Garden Enrichment. Working in close collaboration, they achieved an outstanding end result.
For more information
Outhouse Design
Mobile 0415 764 775
Photography: Peter Brennan
