Now you can match the quality, long life, rot proof, and low maintenance, composite timber decking from Futurewood with a long life subframe solution.

The CleverDeck structural aluminium deck framing system includes a range of three different sized, high-load capacity joists and adjustable height pedestals, along with quick fix brackets and clips to allow you the option of constructing a perfectly level, rot proof subframe to support your CleverDeck composite decking boards.

The complete system means that any DIY with a few skills and maybe some help from a mate can install the system that can be supplied with a detailed CAD plan showing all the fittings required.

The powder coated aluminium joists and bearers are corrosion resistant, moisture proof and will not rot providing a long life, hassle free subframe that will stand the test of time. The joists and bearers offer spans of up to 1800mm.

Working with long, light weight and perfectly straight aluminium joists and bearers makes for an easier build. This theme continues with the use of innovative quick fix clips and brackets and a specially designed top plate that means the joists literally snap in place on the pedestal, no screws required just a simple “click”!

The whole system is designed to fit together easily with less screws, saving time and money and creating a level and stable surface to fix your decking to from heights as low as 48mm and up to 523mm.

The aluminium deck framing system provides the perfect structure for Futurewood’s CleverDeck range of premium composite timber decking.

See more of the subframe here: https://www.futurewood.com.au/aluminium-deck-frame-system/ or talk to Futurewood on 1300 484 308, or email info@futurewood.com.au

The post Strong Foundations, Stunning Decks appeared first on Completehome.

Designed with Safety at its Core

Unlike conventional trampolines with exposed springs and hard frames, Springfree features patented composite rods positioned beneath the jumping surface, a hidden steel frame and the flexible FlexiNet® enclosure that cushions jumpers without rigid poles. These innovations have earned Springfree a 100% safety performance score in independent CHOICE testing, making it the only trampoline recommended by CHOICE.

Every design element has been carefully engineered to create a safer jumping experience, giving parents confidence while children enjoy the freedom to play.

Built to Last

Safety is only part of the story. Built using premium materials and engineered to withstand Australia’s harsh conditions, every Springfree trampoline is designed for years of family enjoyment. Backed by an industry-leading warranty and trusted by more than 10,000 Australian families through verified five-star reviews, it’s a premium investment that continues to deliver long after the first jump.

A Trampoline for Every Backyard

Recognising that every backyard is different, Springfree offers 10 sizes across round, oval and square models, making it easy to find the perfect fit for everything from compact suburban gardens to larger outdoor spaces. With a clean, contemporary design, every model complements modern outdoor living while encouraging active family lifestyles.

Encouraging Outdoor Play

More than just a trampoline, Springfree helps children spend more time outdoors, stay active and create lasting memories with family and friends. As screen time continues to compete with outdoor play, creating a backyard that inspires movement, imagination and connection has never been more important.

Whether you’re creating the ultimate family backyard or investing in equipment that’s built to last, Springfree continues to lead the way in trampoline innovation, safety and quality.

Discover the full Springfree range and learn more at www.springfreetrampoline.com.au.

The post Why More Australian Families Are Choosing Springfree Trampoline appeared first on Completehome.

Set on a steeply sloping site that overlooks Clifton Gardens and Sydney Harbour, this reimagined landscape encompasses a swimming pool, cabana, barbecue and entertaining areas, luxuriant lawns, and layered gardens. A Total Concept provided detailed specifications, recommended and tendered builders and contractors, and oversaw the entire project, delivering a flawless outcome with complete peace of mind for the clients.

“The design brief called for a style that was contemporary yet respectful of the home’s traditional character,” says John Storch, landscape architect and director of A Total Concept. “The result is a confident balance of old and new, where clean geometric forms are softened by traditional materials and planting, ensuring the new works feel both refined and enduring.”

Elements such as sandstone paving, iron fencing, painted rendered walls, traditional planting, and carefully selected pool tiles give the space a classic foundation. These materials are then reinterpreted in a modern way, creating a design that feels current while remaining timeless.

“Spherical plantings of Japanese box, angled rendered walls, minimalist fencing, individually-laid sandstone pavers, and a striking contemporary pool tile colour all contribute to a cutting-edge modern outcome,” says John.

The pool features a bespoke teal ceramic tile, chosen to shift between blue and green tones, mirroring the ever-changing colours of the sky and harbour. This subtle colour play allows the pool to visually integrate with the adjacent Zoysia lawn, unifying hardscape and landscape.

By day, the pool reflects surrounding gardens and bushland; by night, it mirrors the harbour, garden lighting, and home creating a stunning focal point from every angle. Sandstone terraces and the elevated cabana provide relaxed spaces for entertaining, supervising children in the pool, or simply enjoying the view.

Thoughtful planting has ensured an effortless connection between the garden, home, and wider landscape. “Traditional plantings, including buxus, gardenias, Chinese jasmine, pine hedges, camellias, clivia, and hydrangeas anchor the design near the residence, complementing the home’s architectural style,” says John.

“Toward the rear, spiny-head mat-rush, coastal rosemary, grevilleas, and bottlebrush create a visual and ecological link to the surrounding bushland and harbour landscape, blending seamlessly with native Angophoras beyond.

“An understated cabana nestled beneath the home’s undercroft, paired with a feature barbecue and sandstone stepping-stone paving infilled with native violets, creates versatile, terraced entertaining spaces. These connect beautifully to the home’s upper verandas, forming a series of inviting levels perfect for summer evenings.

“Already, the lush garden has hosted weddings, cocktail parties, many a family gathering, and countless poolside celebrations, proving that great design is ultimately about enhancing life.”

A project of this scale is a significant investment and getting it right the first time is essential. With vision, experience, and meticulous attention to detail, A Total Concept transformed the clients’ dreams into reality, delivering a bold yet elegant statement that elevates both the home and the lifestyle it supports.

With over 35 years of experience, A Total Concept brings together a highly skilled team of building and interior designers, landscape architects, and horticulturists to create exceptional and bespoke residential transformations. Renowned for designing sophisticated home renovations, pools, cabanas, and gardens, A Total Concept delivers a seamless fusion of architecture and landscape, each project tailored entirely to meet the client’s individual needs, now and well into the future.

“We’re flexible in the services we offer and support our clients as much or as little as they need,” says John. “In this instance, our clients had been referred to us by several friends years before engaging us. From concept to completion, we managed every aspect of this complex project.

“By bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors, we were able to deliver a seamless fusion of home and garden, enhancing the clients’ lifestyle while adding lasting value to their property.”

For more information

A Total Concept
Address 65 West Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
Phone (02) 9957 5122
Email design@atotalconcept.com.au

The post Seamless Fusion appeared first on Completehome.

A refined family garden that nestles seamlessly into its hinterland surrounds

Perched up high on a ridge in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Horseshoe Hill is a remarkable architect-designed home with amazing views and landscaping to match.

“The design of the garden is modern native, defined by large, open spaces and a strong connection to the surrounding natural landscape. It focuses on creating clear viewing corridors and elevated vantage points that capture the coastal outlook. Expansive lawn areas play a key role, providing a sense of openness while framing the ocean views,” says Todd Burguez, director of Hortum Landscaping.

“The garden layout incorporates well- considered outdoor entertaining spaces that feel connected and purposeful,” he continues. “There is a beautiful courtyard lawn that connects the entire U-shaped home and opens out to the swimming pool, which boasts magnificent views.

“Beneath the back deck, the barbecue area includes a fireplace for warmth and cooking over hot coals during the winter months. A set of stairs flows down to a larger area with a fire pit that’s positioned to feel as though it’s suspended off the side of the mountain. This space is designed to capture 360-degree views across the entire valley, creating an immersive environment for relaxation and entertaining.

“Come nightfall, the integrated strip lighting beneath the step treads creates a soft, floating effect that highlights the form and draws you down to the warmth of the fire pit area where the lighting becomes more ambient and intimate.”

Strategic planting is used to soften the architecture, with cascading greenery flowing over edges and built elements to create a more natural, relaxed feel. In the shadier areas, spur flower (Plectranthus) spills over edges, while a mix of kidney weed (Dichondra repens), firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis), and other complementary trailing species further enhance this lush, layered effect. These elements help blur the lines between structure and landscape, creating a more organic and integrated outcome.

“Around the pool area, multi-headed grass trees (Xanthorrhoea glauca) introduce a striking native presence, firmly grounding the design in the local landscape. The rooftop feature gardens adopt a more arid, architectural feel, incorporating succulents such as agaves and aloes. These are set within tumbled sandstone to complement the home’s sandstone cladding,” says Todd.

At the front of the home, the Hortum team created a grand entrance statement. This is centred on a large Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) that provides a bold, sculptural focal point. “This is supported by layers of secondary planting and groundcovers that create a soft, flowing approach to the front door,” says Todd.

This arrival sequence then opens to create a seamless indoor–outdoor transition, where spaces feel fully integrated and connected, enhancing both functionality and the overall sense of openness,” says Todd.

While the site presented challenges, it also provided an opportunity to design and build something bespoke. The outcome was so outstanding, it received the Independent Professional Designed Construction honour in the 2025 Landscape Queensland Construction Excellence Awards.

For more information

Hortum Landscaping
0415 893 330
enquiries@hortumlandscaping.com.au

Photography: Matt Smith SmithFlx

The post Mountain High appeared first on Completehome.

This verdant, courtyard-style garden offers a taste of the tropics and serves as a beacon of biodiversity

The owners of this home in Brisbane’s inner-suburbs loved the convenience of the location but craved a leafy, tropical oasis they could retreat into, leaving the bustle of urban life outside the garden gate.

“They sought a lush and modern-tropical courtyard garden that felt expansive and immersive — one that would be both highly functional and ideal for entertaining,” says Brooke Goodwin, director of Brooke’s Blooms. “More specifically, they wanted the garden to be dog-friendly, which meant an area of natural grass, and to feature a pond.”

The tropical oasis-inspired garden design, conceived by Brooke’s Blooms’ landscape design manager, Ella Clarke, combines clean, contemporary structure with layered planting. Dense tropical foliage creates a soft, immersive green backdrop, with flowering plants contributing colour in every season. The result is a vibrant yet calming courtyard environment that balances modern design with natural biodiversity to create a cool and shady, always relaxing urban retreat.

Native water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) trees were incorporated as the upper- storey planting, providing vertical structure, light canopy cover, and effective natural screening within the inner-city environment.

“Beneath the canopy,” says Brooke, “layered underplanting was introduced to build depth and texture throughout the space. This helps create a dense, tropical feel while also providing habitat and shelter that encourages frogs and other small wildlife around the pond area.

“Throughout the landscape, which uses the placement of feature gardens and statement pots to add some structure, pops of flowering plants were included for colour and seasonal interest, and to attract birds and pollinators, such as bees, to enhance biodiversity. The combination of structured trees, lush foliage, and flowering accents create a balanced planting scheme that feels modern, vibrant, and full of life.”

A defining element is the large expanse of natural lawn, which is uncommon in urban environments. It provides both visual openness and a recreation space for people and pets. This is complemented by natural limestone paving, which adds rich texture, durability, and a timeless appeal that helps to ground the contemporary design.

“Feature lighting has been incorporated throughout to highlight the key planting areas and enhance the atmosphere,” adds Brooke. “The lighting was designed to accentuate the textures and forms of the foliage and feature gardens, creating visual depth and interest after dark. This subtle illumination allows the courtyard to remain inviting and functional in the evening, while showcasing the lush planting and design elements in a soft, ambient way.”

And there is one more thing that makes this project something special. Says Brooke: “It was entirely designed, project-managed, and implemented by an all-women team that demonstrated a collaborative approach, strong leadership, and superior craftsmanship throughout the entire process.”

The result is a fully refreshed courtyard garden that balances functionality with ecological value and strong visual appeal in an inner-city environment. It’s also an award-winning garden, having won the Residential $50,001-$75,000 category in the 2025 In Landscape Queensland Construction Excellence Awards.

For more information

BROOKE’S BLOOMS
Phone (07) 3166 9037
enquiry@brookesblooms.com.au

The post Full of Life appeared first on Completehome.

Today though, the trend is beginning to soften.

Landscape designers are moving towards gardens that feel more natural, more inviting and more connected to the environment around them. Instead of rigid corners and sharp edges, we’re seeing flowing pathways, curved garden beds, circular lawns and organic planting layouts becoming the centrepiece of Australian backyards.

It’s a subtle change, but one that can completely transform the way a garden looks and feels.

Curves naturally guide your eye through a landscape. Rather than drawing your attention from one point to another in a straight line, they encourage you to slow down and take in the entire space. A gently winding path invites you to explore, while a curved garden bed softens the transition between lawn, planting and entertaining areas.

The result is a garden that feels less formal and more relaxed.

One of the biggest advantages of incorporating curves into a landscape is that they work in almost any style of garden. Whether it’s a contemporary courtyard, a coastal retreat, a native landscape or a traditional family backyard, flowing lines help create a sense of balance without overwhelming the space.

Curves can also make smaller gardens appear larger. Instead of seeing every corner at once, your eye follows the shape of the garden, creating a feeling of depth and discovery. It’s a design technique landscape professionals have been using for years, and one that’s becoming increasingly popular with homeowners looking to make the most of their outdoor space.

Of course, bringing those flowing curves to life requires products that are just as adaptable as the designs themselves.

Steel garden edging has become a favourite among landscape designers because it combines clean definition with the flexibility to create sweeping curves, gentle bends and flowing garden beds without sacrificing strength or durability.

At ShapeScaper, our modular steel edging is manufactured in standard 2400mm lengths, with the most popular profile heights easily curved by hand on site during installation. This allows landscapers to create everything from gentle sweeping curves and winding pathways to circular lawns, rounded garden beds and feature trees with ease, giving designers the freedom to move away from rigid geometric layouts without the need for complex installation techniques.

Most projects can be achieved using our standard modular system alone. However, every now and then a project comes along that pushes the boundaries. A particularly tight radius, an unusual design or a feature that simply can’t be achieved by hand, this may call for something custom. Because we design and manufacture here in Australia, we’re able to fabricate project-specific solutions when required, helping landscape contractors and designers bring even the most ambitious ideas to life.

Curves aren’t just changing the shape of garden beds either. They’re influencing the way entire outdoor spaces are designed. Circular planter rings create striking focal points around feature trees, sweeping edging defines entertaining zones without hard boundaries, and gentle curves help connect different parts of the landscape into one cohesive design.

Perhaps that’s why curved landscapes feel so timeless.

Unlike many garden trends that come and go, curves are inspired by nature itself. Rivers don’t flow in straight lines, trees don’t grow in perfect squares and rolling hills aren’t made up of right angles. By borrowing those natural forms, a garden feels more settled, more balanced and more comfortable to spend time in.

The best part is that introducing curves doesn’t necessarily require a complete garden makeover. Sometimes a single curved garden bed, a flowing pathway or a circular planter is enough to soften an entire outdoor space and create a completely different feel.

Straight lines will always have their place in landscape design. But as Australian gardens continue to evolve, it’s the softer, flowing lines that are shaping the outdoor spaces people love spending time in.

Because sometimes the biggest transformation doesn’t come from adding more to a garden.

It comes from changing the lines that tie it all together.

Last articles:

Put a Ring on It

Design Diversity

The post Have Straight Lines Had Their Moment? Why Curves Are Shaping Modern Gardens appeared first on Completehome.

Pre-Primed Weathertex

Painting is Essential

If you’ve chosen pre-primed weatherboards or wall panels for your project, here’s what you absolutely need to know.

The 60-Day Rule You Can’t Ignore

Weathertex factory primer is designed to be painted within 60 days of installation.

Why is this timeline so important? The factory primer is designed as a basecoat system, not a final finish. Beyond the 60-day window, the primer’s ability to bond effectively with topcoat paints begins to deteriorate. This can lead to:

• Poor paint adhesion
• Premature paint failure
• Warranty may be voided

To prepare your pre-primed product surface for painting, we suggest cleaning the board with a soft broom or a soft, lint-free cloth and washing it down with sugar soap to remove salt, dust, dirt, and grease. Do not vigorously scrub the surface! Wash down with fresh water and dry the  surface with one final wipe using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth in the direction of the paint flow.

Choosing the Right Paint System

The good news is that pre-primed Weathertex products have proven durability of 50 years in the harshest climate zones. While there is no restriction on the vast array of colours to paint your home, it’s important to understand the effect paint colours can have on the performance of construction products. Our exterior cladding is compatible with a wide range of paint systems. Your primed surface will accept:

• Water-based exterior paints: Environmentally friendly and easy to clean up
• Solvent-based exterior paint: Traditional option with excellent durability

Remember!

When applying your topcoat. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your chosen paint system.

• Apply two full coats as a minimum requirement
• Ensure proper surface preparation before painting
• Consider weather conditions during application
• Allow adequate drying time between coats

Adhesion testing may be required to ensure the paint is adhering to the primer. We recommend using an offcut to ensure the finish surface is not affected.

The Natural Range

For those who prefer a more natural, weathered aesthetic, Weathertex Natural Range products offer a completely different approach. When it comes to finishing your Weathertex Natural products, you have three distinct options, each offering different aesthetic outcomes and maintenance requirements.

Check out our Natural finish guide flyer! and our “How to maintain Weatherboards” Blog

Option 1: Water-Based Deck Staining

For those who want colour control while maintaining the natural timber feel, water-based deck staining is an excellent choice.

Application Process:

Clean the Weathertex Natural products prior to staining using an oxalic-based deck cleaner using a soft broom and hose. DO NOT PRESSURE WASH the product as it may affect the overlay. Let the natural product dry completely prior to staining.

• Minimum 2-3 coats: are essential for proper coverage
• Brush application is critical: this ensures the stain penetrates properly into the timber’s textured surface

Apply your first coat, then perform cutting in to avoid unsightly dry-line borders. Always follow the stain manufacturer’s specific application instructions

Pro Tip: Consider letting your Weathertex Natural lighten naturally before staining. This pre-weathering can create unique colour results that aren’t achievable with fresh timber.

• Colour Selection: Staining manufacturers offer an extensive range of colours, but here’s what you must do: always perform a test sample first. This isn’t optional – it’s your insurance policy for colour expectations and performance.

Option 2: Controlled Erosion Staining

This specialised staining system offers a unique approach to timber protection while allowing for natural character development over time. The application follows the manufacturer’s specific instructions, and like traditional staining, you can pre-weather the timber for different colour outcomes. The same rule applies here: test samples are non-negotiable before committing to your entire installation and ensure the natural has been cleaned and completely dry before application.

Option 3: Natural Weathering (The Uncoated Approach)

Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of Weathertex Natural Range is its ability to weather beautifully without any coating at all.

Understanding Natural Weathering

What Happens Over Time: When left uncoated with consistent sun ( UV) exposure, your Weathertex Natural will undergo a beautiful transformation. The timber naturally lightens and develops that sought-after “grey off” appearance, like raw hardwood weathering.

Factors Affecting Weathering:

• UV intensity: More sun means faster colour change
• Moisture exposure: Affects the rate and evenness of weathering
• Consistency of exposure: This is crucial for even results e.g eaves, trees ect limit exposure and will affect fading rates
• Timber species mix: Try to purchase all of the natural product at the same time where possible

Weathertex products offer excellent exterior cladding solutions, but success depends on understanding and following the specific requirements for each product type. Pre-primed products offer colour flexibility with painting obligations, while Natural Range products provide beauty that improves with age.

Before starting your project, always consult the latest Weathertex installation manuals and consider consulting with painting professionals to ensure the best results.

For detailed painting specifications and installation guidance, check our installation manuals and painting and staining tab on our website for supplier tech sheets that have been tested on Weathertex.

Please note Weathertex does not cover the coating itself. We recommend contacting the coating manufacturer for any applicable coating warranties and conditions.

To Learn more about the Natural range, visit our Natural Range: staining and maintaining blog

The post Does Weathertex need to be painted? appeared first on Completehome.

Landscape Queensland Construction Excellence Awards Highly Commended

In the serene rural locality of Doonan on the Sunshine Coast nestles a home and garden so connected to the natural world, it’s as if Mother Nature herself guided the designer’s hand, which is precisely the case, according to Nature Zone Landscaping’s Jason Pennell.

“I designed this rural landscape in close collaboration with nature,” he says. “I believe that a landscape already knows what it wants to become and it’s my role to listen, observe and then pull all the pieces together to shape what nature intended.”

Of course, listening to the homeowners’ needs and wants is just as important, but in this instance, Jason says there was no definitive design brief. Instead, they gave him a list of requirements, which included ample car-parking for family members, an outdoor kitchen and entertainment space, a cat run, and, outside the home office, a private, enveloping tropical-style garden.

The scope of works also ran the gamut from building a driveway, steps, pathways and fencing to the creation of something very special — a natural pond. This involved finding just the right spot, given the site’s steep slope, along with constructing three waterfalls, biological wetland filters, two jetties, linking boardwalks and landings.

“The overall design was loosely based on the homeowners’ birthplace, which is the Puglia region of south-east Italy. Inspiration was drawn from the white cliffs and sandy beaches of Gargano, the region’s dense forests and mountainous terrain, and the Murgia plateau with its sparse and rocky elevated plains,” says Jason.

“The plants are mainly fauna-attracting natives, such as the grass trees, although a few hardy exotics were interwoven, such as the mature olive trees we installed as an ode to the beauty of the Puglia region.

“The plant palette changes as you move through the different zones, giving each a distinctive sense of place while the swathes of native ornamental grasses add movement when caught by the breeze.”

The hardscaping materials were chosen with as much care as the plants to enhance the natural bush ambience. This includes the sustainably-sourced Australian mixed hardwood decking, flamed basalt-like stepping stones that sail through a sea of blue metal (natural stone) gravel, and the monolithic granite “spiral” staircase in the backyard.

This engaging project, which received a Highly Commended in the Residential $400,000 Plus category in the 2025 Landscape Queensland Construction Excellence Awards, holds a very special place in Jason’s heart.

“The most magical thing about this project is that the landscape does not look like it was created by human hands. Rather, it’s as if nature carved it into existence over many millennia,” he says.

“We feel very privileged that the clients allowed us to create something both they and the environment deserve without any parameters in design, scope or budget. This enabled us to deliver something elegant, truly timeless, and naturally beautiful.”

For more information

Nature Zone Landscaping
Mobile 0402 463 691
Email info@naturezone.com.au 

The post Nature’s gift appeared first on Completehome.

MLSA Awards of Excellence Winner

A considered multi-level design has transformed this steeply sloping site into a series of flourishing garden terraces where the owners can simply pause and reflect, unwind at the end of a busy day, or entertain family and friends.

Alison Gardiner Designs developed the design concept, passing the baton on to Malcolm Berce, director of Desert Flower Landscaping, to turn dream into reality.

“Our role was to build a modern garden with clean lines, well-defined zones, and a welcoming feel. Both flowing and structured plants were to be included; also, a mix of high-quality natural materials for longevity and visual impact,” says Malcom. “The large fire pit area in the back garden exemplifies the confident blending of materials and with its amphitheatre feel entices people to gather when the temperature drops.

“The crazy-paved, organic-shaped pad in the front garden is another space to seek warmth and companionship. It features a chiminea, seating, a huge bird bath set atop an existing stringy bark gum tree stump, and a pleasing view over the city and sea.”

A great deal of thought was given to the selection of materials. The crazy paving is Grecian Splitstone; bluestone steppers lead the way through paths of compacted Yankomite quartz sand; sandstone walling was used for retaining, seating, and various feature elements; and Corten steel edging was used to contain garden beds.

“The property is in a fire-risk area so solid spotted gum timber was chosen for the vast amount of decking needed to integrate the existing stairs into the new sets of stairs, ramps, and seating spaces. The same timber was used for the steps out front that lead down to the fire pit,” says Malcolm.

For contrast and a modern touch, the massive curved retaining wall was built used honed, slimline white bricks. This brick walling also zig zags in and out around the crazy-paving pads and timber stairs.

With sustainability very firmly in mind, drought-tolerant native plants were prioritised for this project in the foothills of Adelaide; in particular, those that attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Edibles were interwoven with the native plants; rainwater tanks were installed; and materials were locally-sourced where possible.

The significant slope posed a plethora of challenges, from the sheer amount of labour needed to get materials down to the very bottom of the block to water management. The build was completed through both dry and wet seasons, so the team had to direct water down the slope in different ways during the various stages of the work.

The highly skilled team’s effort and expertise was duly recognised in the 2025 MLSA Awards of Excellence, with Desert Flower Landscaping winning three honours: Residential Construction Exceeding $500,000, Best Use of Green-Life, and the coveted Judges’ Choice Award.

“We’d like to thank Alison Gardiner for her amazing design and planting plan, and for working closely with us through the various changes made during construction,” says Malcom. “We also give thanks to the clients who were incredible to work with.”

For more information

Desert Flower Landscaping
Mobile 0437 076 789 (Malcolm Berce)
Email malcolm@desertflowerlandscaping.com.au

Photography: Laura van der Meulen

The post Warm Welcome appeared first on Completehome.

Victorian Landscape Industry Awards Winner

Styles come and go but the Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern aesthetic continues to hold us in its thrall. This homage to Palm Springs style was created for Sun Baker House in the coastal community of Ocean Grove on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula.

“Our clients were ready to give their front and rear gardens a complete refresh. They wanted something refined but relaxed; a mix of Palm Springs style with a modern coastal vibe. To bring it all together, they teamed up with Heath Blair of Plume Studio, who came up with a stunning design that we had the pleasure of building,” says Daniel Knight, director of Knight Landscapes.

“From day one, the brief was simple but integral to the success of the project: stay true to the landscape architect’s vision and deliver it with top-quality finishes, precise attention to detail, and craftsmanship that would stand the test of time.”

In the rear garden, Daniel and his team fashioned three main entertaining zones: a pool area, a fireplace area, and the main deck off the rear of the house.

“The pool zone features a large aloe tree and generous paved surrounds where you can lounge around while the kids are in the pool,” says Daniel. “The surrounds are paved in dry-pressed red bricks as is the elevated terrace that overlooks the pool.

“The fireplace area has an allure of its own, with its in-situ burnished concrete bench, Castlemaine slate paving, and grand stucco chimney that references the stucco pool and retaining walls. Then there’s the greyed-off spotted gum deck that draws you outside and is ideal for entertaining.

“Mature palms were placed throughout for instant impact and to evoke that tropical Palm Springs feel. We also planted mature tree ferns, philodendron and grasses with underplantings of dichondra.”

“The rear garden now strikes the right balance. It’s stunning to look at but practical, working just as smoothly for a lively weekend entertaining friends as it does for a peaceful evening outdoors with the family.”

In the front garden, the transformation was just as complete, from the Castlemaine slate stepper paths and marble-tiled front entry to the lush lawn and soft plantings.

“Bringing this design to life was a labour of love, with our small team on-site for about eight months. From the placement of each plant to the construction of the brick outdoor shower and wood-burning fireplace, no detail was overlooked. Also, every material, surface, and finish was chosen not just to look good, but to last.”

Sun Baker House, winner of the 2025 Victoria Landscape Industry Awards’ Residential Landscape Construction Over $300,000 category, now boasts outdoor spaces as impressive as the home itself. Says Daniel: “They capture that timeless Palm Springs feel and the relaxed, coastal Bellarine vibe — now this is living!”

For more information

Knight Landscapes
Mobile 0401 512 508
Email info@knightlandscapes.com.au

Photography: Ben Moynihan

The post This is Living! appeared first on Completehome.