Concealed from passers-by, these refreshed gardens offer untold delights
Landscape of the Year Awards Entrant SA
Designing small gardens isn’t just about trying to make the space feel bigger. In compact spaces, every element is evident so an eye for detail is important, as is the considered use of focal points to draw you around the space, and create a feeling of connection. Restraint in the selection of colours, materials, and plants is also key for a calm ambience and a cohesive look.
Peter Adley, landscape architect and the founder of Yardstick Landscape Services, drew upon these design principles when transforming the lacklustre landscape of this traditional villa in Hyde Park, one of Adelaide’s most desirable inner suburbs.
The property is just 317sqm, so every centimetre of the outdoor space — which is divided into two very distinct sections — was precious. One, the side courtyard, was a rather featureless, underutilised space. The other was the front garden, which was almost completely paved over with nothing to entice the eye, not to mention a profound sense of disconnection from the house.
“The homeowners wanted something with a more contemporary feel that would complement the classic architecture; something aesthetically pleasing, a little adventurous, and functional,” says Peter.
The small, dated pavers in the front garden were replaced with large-format stone pavers to modernise the look and visually expand the space. To allow room for garden beds and a luxuriant lawn, the amount of paving was reduced.
To foster a sense of connection between the two outdoor sections, a “window” fitted with a decorative laser-cut metal screen was cut into the dividing wall, allowing a sneak peek from the garden into the courtyard. Laser-cut steel was also used for the entry gate, with the cut-out pieces affixed to the adjacent stone pillar.
Four mature silver birch trees (Betula pendula) and a dwarf magnolia (Magnolia ‘Little Gem’) were retained in the front garden. These were complemented by restrained planting around the lawn, which included dwarf Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis ‘Oriental Pearl’), Japanese box (Buxus ‘Faulkner’), and star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).
Enhancing the sense of serenity is an elegant, classically simple water feature, the view of which can be enjoyed from the comfort of a timber bench seat.
“The side courtyard was transformed into an enviable alfresco entertaining zone, featuring a cosy seating area as well as an outdoor kitchen and dining space protected by a pergola with an adjustable louvred roof,” says Peter.
“To soften the stark walls, star jasmine was trained on welded mesh; for textural interest, we added two stone-veneered sections. The feature forest pansy tree, underplanted with spheres of Japanese box, completes the picture … almost.
“There is also a weathered-steel light sculpture with a laser-cut design on the back that casts patterns onto the wall, like a Moroccan lantern.” This is just one of many hidden gems this property has to offer.
For more information
YARDSTICK LANDSCAPE SERVICES
Phone (08) 8342 5549
Email enquiries@yardstick.net.au
Photography: Longshot Photography