Pre-Primed Woodsman VS Natural

Our Pre-primed woodsman products and natural products have the same timber surface texture. They both have a natural timber grain that provides unique appearance with the characteristics and looks of timber. The pre-primed woodsman must be painted and the natural products can be stained or left unsealed allowing it to grey off (see installation manual for further details). Pre-primed products have a 25 year manufacturer’s warranty vs Natural Products with a 10 year warranty (conditions apply see installation manual).

Painting Pre-primed VS Staining Natural

Painting Pre-primed Weathertex products provides a solid, opaque finish. It also provides excellent protection against moisture and UV radiation, which helps to prolong the life of the product. Paint is available in a wide variety of colours, and you can choose a colour that complements your home’s design. Weathertex products are low VOC which when used with low VOC paint are safer for your family home.

On the other hand, staining Weathertex products can bring out the natural grain and texture of the timber, creating a more natural look. Quality Stains are available in a range of colours, from light to darker tones, allowing you to achieve the desired look for your project. Staining can also protect the timber from moisture and UV radiation, but it may not be as durable as paint in terms of withstanding the elements. Controlled erosion stains are available to achieve a light timber colour that compliments a ‘beachy’ style.

Maintenance

Our pre-primed cladding products require 7-15+ years maintenance dependant on the choice of paint.

Weathertex natural products will on average require 3-5 years’ maintenance, depending on the choice of stain. The original colour can be restored after natural fading by cleaning and staining the product (further information available on our natural flyer).

Whether you have chosen painting pre-primed or Staining natural a yearly inspection is recommended to confirm the coatings integrity. You may need to apply additional coats or touch up/repairs depending on your inspection and personal preference. Each manufacturer has their own timeframe for maintenance, so it’s important to do some research before choosing.

When deciding between painting and staining your Weathertex products, consider your personal preferences and the environmental conditions the products will be exposed to. Your choice of Weathertex product comes down to your own design aesthetic and ultimately it is your choice!

If you’re unsure about which option to choose, you may want to consult with your professional painter if you are using them or a trained professional for advice. For more information about Painting or Staining your Weathertex products, refer to our Installation Manuals and painting and staining section on the Weathertex website.

The post Pre-primed VS Natural Products appeared first on Completehome.

Words: Karen Booth

Green walls and vertical gardens offer a host of benefits. To begin with, they allow you to introduce plant life into small outdoor spaces. If you don’t have room for a ground-level garden, you can attach a garden to your courtyard wall or the exterior of your house. What’s more, they reduce the ambient temperature in their immediate surrounds, clean the air and encourage biodiversity, making them eco-friendly.

More of us are living in apartments and townhouses with just the tiniest of spaces to grow a garden, so it’s not a surprise that gardening on walls has become popular. Vertical gardens allow us to grow plants to brighten our lives or spice up our dinner plates, even when challenged for space.

Edible or ornamental

A vertical garden lends itself to a variety of uses and the plants you choose will depend on whether the garden is to be ornamental or edible. Plant selection will also be influenced by the amount of natural light the location receives, the microclimate and the plant’s inherent ability to thrive off the ground.

Wall gardens do have the advantage of keeping the roots of plants warmer in cold weather, so if you’re planning on planting herbs or salad vegetables, you can grow your basil for longer in autumn, for instance. Wall gardens are also a great way to keep invasive plants, such as mints, under control.

Of course, vertical gardens don’t have to be filled with edible plants. They can include succulents, bromeliads, tropical foliage plants and a variety of flowering species.

Planting suggestions

If the idea of a kitchen garden appeals, then hardy herbs such as thyme, sage, oregano and rosemary are perfect, especially for the upper part of your green wall as they don’t need as much water as other varieties. Golden marjoram, tarragon and chives are some other reliable options.

To create a decorative effect, succulents such as echeveria, sedum and crassula, can look incredible. If you’re not overly keen on a lot of maintenance, or live in a dry climate, then liriope and small hebe varieties can work well, depending on the microclimate. Plants with water-holding stems and leaves, such as begonia, pelargonium, peperomia and columnea, are also a good idea. Plants with water-holding roots, such as mondo grass and philodendron, are other great choices.

Custom or ready-made

There are companies that specialise in the installation, planting and maintenance of customised green walls and vertical gardens. And many landscapers now have expertise in this arena too, so be sure to ask.

There are also many readily-available DIY systems, some of which feature a metal frame (either freestanding or wall-mounted) and hook-on pots. Then there are modular versions where the pots are already integrated into a screen that you attach to your wall. If you want something on a smaller scale, there are ready-to-hang fabric systems, such as Verti-Plant and Woolly Pockets. Of course, these are just a few examples of the diverse array of DIY vertical garden systems on offer.

The practicalities

A vertical garden will need maintenance. In fact, it may need more than a conventional garden. A small vertical garden, a few pots in a frame or a simple fabric system, won’t require much more upkeep than a hanging plant would, but large customised green walls can be complex creations in need of a lot of nurturing, so may need expert care.

It’s not just the “after” you might need expert help with, however; especially if the goal is to establish a sizeable green wall on a deck, terrace or apartment balcony. You will need to determine if the wall and floor are able to bear the load (add water to plants and growing media, and things can get heavy). Also, is the wall waterproofed? Is the floor? Where will any water overflow go? But with planning and expert advice, vertical gardens are great space-saver.

The post Up the wall appeared first on Completehome.

1. Modern Minimalist Facade

Flat rooflines, geometric massing, and a restrained material palette (usually two or three materials max) define this look. Large format windows and hidden gutters keep the eye on the architecture itself rather than the details.

2. Scandinavian Barn

Think white or soft grey timber-look cladding, black window frames, and warm timber accents around the entry. It’s minimalist but softer than pure modernism, cozy rather than cold.

3. Industrial Charm with Exposed Brick

Exposed or reclaimed brick paired with black steel-framed windows and dark metal trim gives a converted-warehouse feel, even on a suburban block. Add a steel canopy over the entry for extra edge.

4. Mediterranean Facade

Warm cream or terracotta-toned with textured cladding panels, arched doorways, wrought-iron details, and terracotta paints bring a sun-soaked, relaxed feel. Climbing vines or potted olive trees complete the look.

5. Modern Farmhouse

Board-and-batten cladding in white or soft grey, black window frames, a covered porch, and a gabled roofline. This style balances rustic warmth with contemporary simplicity and remains one of the most popular facade trends for good reason.

6. Clad Roofline Detailing

Don’t overlook the roof. Exposed rafter tails, deep eaves, or a butterfly roofline can be as defining a feature as the cladding below it.

7. Coastal Cladding

Light, breezy cladding built to handle salt air is the hallmark of coastal style: whitewashed or grey-toned timber shiplap, cedar shingles, or marine-grade aluminum composite panels. Corrosion-resistant fixings and fiber cement (rather than raw steel) are worth the upgrade near the water, since salt spray accelerates rust and timber decay. Pair with white or black window frames and a wraparound porch or deck for the full beach-house feel.

8. Japandi Cladding

Japandi blends Japanese restraint with Scandinavian warmth. Clean horizontal lines, minimal trim, and deep eaves for shadow lines are key, the goal is quiet, natural materials left to age gracefully rather than anything glossy or ornate. Warm timber battens around the entry soften the darker cladding elsewhere.

9. Cottage Core facade

Cottagecore leans into softness and imperfection: weathered timber, or hand-textured render-look cladding in warm creams and dusty pastels. shingles on a bay window or dormer add storybook charm, and a climbing rose or wisteria trained along the cladding finishes the look. Small-paned windows and a stable-style or arched front door pair well with the softer materials.

10. Bold Black Exteriors

Matte black cladding has become a favorite for making a striking, contemporary statement. It photographs beautifully and pairs well with warm timber accents to avoid feeling too severe.

The post 10 Home Façade Ideas appeared first on Completehome.

Meet the designer

What attracted you to landscape design?

My grandfather was a creative inventor and gardener. When I was a child, he was forever talking to me and showing me his ideas and designs, and pointing out shapes, details and plants, and how these went together in the world. He taught me how to be creative and to observe, feel, and understand good and bad design, both in the natural and built environments.

When he passed, his ideas, sketching notes, and images became mine, and he instilled in me a lifelong habit of collecting ideas and details, sketching, and a love of plants. These ideas form the basis of the concept images library that we use when designing a garden. It was my grandfather who encouraged me to become a landscape architect. I now have well over 35 years’ of experience and a job that I love.

How do you approach the design process?

The image at the top of the page accurately reflects my philosophy on design: simplicity. I believe that simple design lines, simple shapes, and simple colour palettes always work better than complex, intricate designs. They create more peaceful spaces, are more pleasing to the eye, and more inviting — and they are timeless. This, together with the use of quality materials and good detailing, ensures a garden project that won’t date.

Do you have a preferred style?

I believe a good designer should be able to work in any style and not be restricted to a particular design period. For my last home in Sydney, I designed a lush, tropical rear garden and opened the back of the house to the outdoor space, integrating the two together. For the front yard, I designed a very traditional garden. Ultimately, the gardens sold the property. My team and I have always worked on a broad range of projects, both in terms of size and design styles. Such diversity tends to keep you refreshed, open to new ideas, educated, and up to speed with all current trends.

Why is a holistic approach vital?

Using a design company that views a site holistically and can provide good design advice on both the home and the external spaces — and how to seamlessly link the two together — leads to the best results, I believe. If one company looks at everything, the finished project will be designed to flow better and appear more integrated with a consistent design approach and material use throughout. In addition, it allows for better planning of the project to ensure that works are undertaken at the appropriate time, thereby saving on the costs of having to rework areas, even if the later works are years off.

How do you build relationships?

Over the years, I have found that clear and constant communication is the best way to ensure a successful client relationship in the short term. This usually takes the form of weekly progress updates. To ensure client satisfaction in the long term, the answer is to holistically design an integrated space and involve the client in the design process. Also, to create a design that suits the client’s budget and particular lifestyle, not mine!

For more information

A Total Concept

The post Total Integration appeared first on Completehome.

There was a time when the living room was the heart of the home.

Big couch. TV. Coffee table.
That’s where life happened.

Not anymore.

In 2026, across Australia, the real action has moved outside.

Backyards are replacing living rooms.

And not in a “nice-to-have” way…
In a this-is-how-we-live-now kind of way.

The Shift: From Indoor Living to Outdoor Lifestyle

Homeowners aren’t just upgrading their homes.

They’re rethinking how they use them.

Instead of:

• Sitting inside watching TV
• Entertaining in closed-off rooms
• Using outdoor areas occasionally

They’re creating spaces that:

• Get used every single day
• Bring people together naturally
• Feel like an extension of the home

The backyard is no longer separate.

It’s central.

Why This Is Happening Now

This shift didn’t come out of nowhere.

It’s being driven by three powerful changes:

1. People Want More From Their Homes

Homes are no longer just where you sleep.

They’re now:

• Offices
• Social spaces
• Relaxation zones
• Family hubs

And indoor areas alone can’t carry all of that.

Outdoor spaces are stepping in to take the load.

2. Lifestyle Is Beating Formality

Formal living rooms?

They’re becoming… decorative.

Most families aren’t using them daily.

But a well-designed backyard?

That’s where:

• Kids play
• Friends gather
• Evenings unwind

It’s functional, not just visual.

3. Outdoor Design Has Levelled Up

Backyards today aren’t basic.

They’re designed.

We’re seeing:

• Architectural pool designs
• Integrated seating and dining zones
• Seamless indoor-outdoor transitions
• High-end materials and finishes

The result?

Spaces that feel just as refined—if not more—than interiors.

What a “Living Room Backyard” Actually Looks Like

This isn’t about throwing a table and chairs outside and calling it a day.

A modern outdoor living space is intentional.

It includes zones like:

The Pool as the Centrepiece

The pool is no longer an add-on.

It’s the anchor.

Everything flows from it:

• Layout
• Movement
• Visual focus

It sets the tone for the entire space.

Lounge Zones That Invite You to Stay

Comfort matters outside just as much as inside.

Think:

• Deep seating
• Soft textures
• Shade and shelter

It’s not a quick sit-down area.

It’s somewhere you actually want to spend time.

Dining & Entertaining Areas

Outdoor dining has become everyday living.

Spaces are being designed for:

• Family meals
• Casual gatherings
• Weekend hosting

Without needing to move everything inside.

Seamless Design Between Indoors and Outdoors

The best spaces don’t feel like two separate worlds.

They flow.

This is achieved through:

• Consistent materials
• Open sightlines
• Large openings or sliding doors

So the backyard feels like a natural extension of the home.

The Rise of “Pool-First” Planning

Here’s where most homeowners get it wrong. If there’s an opportunity to plan the pool on vacant land or staged with a knock down / rebuild; then designing the pool integration is winning every time.

In 2026, the smarter move is:

Plan the pool first.

Why?

Because the pool:

• Dictates layout and flow
• Impacts access and construction
• Influences how outdoor zones connect

When it’s planned early, everything works better.

When it’s added later, compromises creep in and excavation costs to skyrocket with limited yard access for machinery and material handling.

Small Backyards, Big Impact

You don’t need a massive block to create this lifestyle.

In fact, many of the most effective designs are in compact spaces.

It comes down to:

• Smart layout
• Multi-functional zones
• Strong design choices

A smaller, well-designed backyard will outperform a large, poorly planned one every time.

Is It Worth Investing in Outdoor Living?

For most homeowners, the answer is shifting from “maybe” to “absolutely.”

Because the return isn’t just financial.

It’s:

• Daily usability
• More time spent together
• A better living experience at home

Instead of upgrading a room you use occasionally…

You’re upgrading a space you use constantly.

The Mistake to Avoid

The biggest mistake?

Treating the backyard as an afterthought.

That leads to:

• Disconnected spaces
• Poor flow
• Underused areas

And ultimately, a missed opportunity.

Designing a Backyard That Replaces Your Living Room

At Blue Haven Pools, the philosophy is simple:

Design the space around how you want to live—not just what it looks like.

That means:

• Planning the pool as the centrepiece
• Creating functional zones for real use
• Considering flow, access, and layout from day one
• Delivering a complete outdoor environment—not just a pool

Because when it’s done properly…

The backyard doesn’t compete with the living room.

It replaces it.

Ready to Rethink Your Space?

If you’re building, renovating, or simply reimagining your home, the question isn’t:

“Should I add a pool?”

It’s: “How do I design a space I’ll actually live in every day?”

Start with a clear plan, the right layout, and a team that understands the bigger picture.

Explore what’s possible, lock in a design that works, and create a backyard that finally earns its place as the most used room in your home.

Final Thought

Living rooms haven’t disappeared.

They’ve just moved outside.

And in 2026, the homes that feel the best to live in…

Are the ones that make the most of it with Blue Haven.

For more information

 Blue Haven Pools & Spas

The post Why Backyards Are Replacing Living Rooms in 2026 appeared first on Completehome.

Words Carrol Baker

Outdoor elegance

Create a soothing and inviting outdoor escape at home with beautiful furniture, shade solutions and green spaces to love. Many modern outdoor kitchens and alfresco areas are iconic style makers, with elaborate furniture, cooking islands, pizza ovens, refrigerators, sinks and more.

Some are simply rooms without walls, while others have roofing structures so they can be enjoyed all year round. They’re decorated with contemporary outdoor furniture that’s designed to withstand the rigours of outdoor use.

Stylish outside spaces also have integrated interior-inspired accents such as decorative outdoor rugs, cushions, pillows and cosy throws. Outdoor fireplaces, heaters and firepits offer a place to gather and spend time with friends and family within the comforts of your own backyard.

Make it yours

Bring the outdoors in with pots of colour and leafy textural plants. An indoor courtyard garden that allows light to filter in is a stunning way to achieve this.

We know that connecting with nature enhances wellbeing. Finding opportunities to do this not only creates beautiful spaces indoors and out, it also affords you the opportunity to be playful and innovative and make a space that is uniquely yours.

Having an alfresco or outdoor entertainment spot opens a whole new world of possibilities. But of course, you also want privacy. There are plenty of screening solutions that not only offer this, they also add a beautiful designer element to your outdoor entertainment zone. Screens can add depth and intrigue, highlight focal points and provide more shade.

Blurring the lines

Indoor-outdoor living is a contemporary design philosophy that’s redefining the way we use our spaces at home. Andy Marlow from Envirotecture says there are many ways to enhance the connectivity between different areas. “The simplest of course is having a large door that allows you to walk from inside to out,” he says. If it’s connected to a beautiful view, that’s even better.

“One of our projects, a strawbale house in a field, has fixed windows to the floor. It’s triple-glazed and no noise can get through. It’s airtight and incredibly calm and quiet,
and the views are spectacular.”

To sit indoors and feel as though you are at one with the view beyond is incredibly therapeutic, especially with today’s busy lifestyles. We rarely pause to enjoy nature.

To make the most of the indoor-outdoor connection, glazing really is king. Edith Paarhammer from Paarhammer Windows & Doors says sliding doors, sliding stacker doors, corner sliders or large bifold doors are crowd-pleasers for modern homes, while fully or partly glazed French doors add a distinctly European flair. “A long-term Australian favourite for accessing the verandah, French doors offer a charming look that we can’t get enough of,” says Edith.

Enjoy the design versatility with inside–opening or outside–opening options, as well as doors with a curved arch for a bit of European glamour. “You can open one of the two doors or both at the same time, depending on the weather,” she explains.

Edith adds that for openings, large lift-slide doors or even “giants” are a popular choice. “They blend the indoors with the outdoors and allow easy access to entertaining areas
or the garden.”

No matter what you choose, Edith says comfort is key and it’s important that door seals are able to keep warmth in during winter and let it out in summer. “A drafty door means that unwanted air coming in has to be heated or cooled, so unnecessary energy is required to stay comfortable,” she says.

Larger expanses of glass, particularly those that look over outdoor patios, entertaining spaces, swimming pools or garden views really do harness light and indoor connectivity. Indoor skylights and well-positioned voids offer opportunities to enhance the connection.

Mirror mirror

When designing and building your indoor/outdoor spaces, it’s crucial to build sustainably. Andy says designing and building with an eco-friendly philosophy is incredibly important. “Sustainable building is ultimately about our health and comfort, it’s about indoor air quality and the health of the planet — we really need to look at the bigger picture,” he says.

Look to nature for your inspiration. Select organic materials outdoors that are the same as those inside. Andy says this helps to create a strong visual connection between indoors and out.

“Whether that is timber flooring transitioning to timber decking, or inside tiles transitioning to outside tiles, or concrete flooring inside that flows outdoors — there are many
ways to use materiality to create a sense of connection.”

It doesn’t have to be flooring either. You could have a stone feature wall inside that emulates the textural elements of the stone in your home’s exterior feature walls, for example. Aim for a cohesive colour palette with a select accent colour; similar tone or pops of colour from indoors and out create cohesion.

Built elements such as a bench in the kitchen can also foster a unified connection with a bench outside. When the window is closed, the bench inside is a separate entity to the one outdoors, but when the window is open, it connects. This could work as a servery, breakfast bar, or even a wet bar when entertaining.

Green room

In the balmy climate zones in Australia, outdoor spaces don’t need to be fully enclosed, but in some cooler regions, things need to be done a little differently. Andy says the concept of outdoor spaces, and how they are constructed, really is climate specific.

One of Envirotecture’s projects in chilly Ballarat has an enclosed green room, so the occupants can enjoy outdoor living all year round. “It’s a similar concept to a conservatory, but we call it a green room,” he says. “It’s warmer than outside, but not as warm as inside — it is transitory between the spaces.”

Eco-design in action

When designing a modern home, incorporating elements that serve to connect indoors and out has never been more important. Fiona Dunin from FMD Architects says there are a number of ways to maximise the sense of harmony and flow.

In FMD’s Carcassonne project, the home was quite dark. Adding a rear extension maximised the amount of northern light. “We put living space in the north-eastern corner, created an L-shaped space facing east, the kitchen wrapped around to a north-facing living area, and the pool and outdoor dining areas were off that space,” says Fiona.

Another way to increase the indoor-outdoor connection in living spaces is through extending spaces vertically. “Creating height is also important; with high glazing we could throw light deep into the space,” says Fiona. “It also allows a connection to the sky, which can be cut off at times with busy urban roofscapes. At night you can see the full moon from inside.”

Making the most of your front yard is another clever way to improve connectivity. “Standing in the kitchen of the home, you have a view to the front yard, which is the kids’ playground with trampoline, basketball hoop and vegetable patch. It’s a hard-working front yard.”

Some projects begin with a vivid connection to nature. FMD’s Old Be-al project was one. “It all started with the client wanting to live in a tree house,” says Fiona. The client’s brother owned the house originally and planted a river red gum, which was the inspiration for the home.

“We created a 270-degree effect; from virtually anywhere in the house you can pivot and see the tree outside,” she shares. The gnarled tree also helps to create shade for the home from the west. Its wonky organic branches are replicated in some internal elements, such as the ceiling, entry light and joinery handles shaped like twigs.

Sheer bliss

An outdoor swimming pool or spa is the ultimate in relaxation. The ideal location for a pool is where you can appreciate it from both indoors and out. During the cooler months, it becomes an attractive water feature. In summer it also adds a cooling element to your home.

Spas, hot tubs and swimming pools offer a host of benefits, promoting relaxation and improving your health and wellbeing. There’s also the social aspect. Mike Daish, general manager of Stoked Stainless, says the enjoyment factor points to a great way to have some time out with your partner, friends and family. “We get a lot of feedback from parents who say spending time in the spa pool is the only opportunity they get to really be eye to eye with their teenagers when they’re not on their devices,” he says.

With modern technology, and the right spa, you can also be tuned into technology. “All of our products are Wi-Fi-connected so you can have an app and a smart connection,” says Mike. “The spas and hot tubs are also fully integrated; all you need to do is plug it in and fill it with water and away you go.” One of Stoked Stainless’ most popular tubs in Australia is the 2.2m round spa. “It has eight jets, LED light, and it can heat up to 41 degrees.”

This article was originally published in Grand Designs Australia 14.3.

The post Open To Green appeared first on Completehome.

When pressure drops, you feel it instantly. The sprinkler splutters, the hose slows to a trickle and the water never quite reaches the back of the garden. But with the right system, water flows exactly as it should – steady, strong and reliable.

That’s where Davey’s DynaDrive and EvoDrive pumps come in. They’re the next generation of intelligent pressure systems, designed to deliver constant, dependable water across your garden, outdoor areas and home.

Smart, steady and quiet

DynaDrive and EvoDrive pumps automatically adjust to your water use. Whether you’re filling a watering can, washing down the patio or running multiple sprinklers at once, they maintain even pressure without surges or slowdowns.

The pumps sense when more water is needed and increase output to match, then slow down when demand drops to save energy. That means efficient watering, consistent pressure and quiet operation every time.

Built for Australian gardens

The Davey DynaDrive is ideal for medium to large gardens and homes, delivering intelligent constant pressure from tank, mains or shallow wells and clear water dams. Compact and efficient, it’s perfect for everyday outdoor watering, cleaning and irrigation.

For larger properties, landscaped gardens or multi-outlet irrigation systems, the Davey EvoDrive offers extra power with variable speed control. It’s designed to handle multiple hoses or zones with ease, adapting instantly to changes in demand.

Both systems are engineered for Australian conditions, with rugged materials and smart design to ensure long-lasting performance in heat, rain and everything in between.

Efficient watering made easy

Consistent water pressure isn’t just about convenience, it’s about efficiency. Uneven watering wastes water and leaves parts of your garden dry, while constant pressure ensures every drop reaches where it’s needed most.

When watering feels effortless, you’re more likely to do it right. From established trees to delicate seedlings, your garden thrives under balanced, even water flow. And since both DynaDrive and EvoDrive adjust automatically to demand, they use less energy than traditional fixed-speed pumps, helping you save power while keeping your garden lush.

Confidence that lasts

With more than 90 years of Australian engineering experience, Davey knows what it takes to make water work smarter. Every DynaDrive and EvoDrive pump is backed by local service, ISO-certified manufacturing and a nationwide network of water experts.

Because water should be reliable and efficient when you need it most.

Learn more about Davey’s water solutions here.

The post Pressure perfect: Smarter water for thriving gardens appeared first on Completehome.

It’s important to consider the design of your home and garden holistically. It’s especially important as properties become smaller and owners’ expectations for their external areas grows. If you hire a designer, you can ensure your dreams come true within your budget. So, how to choose your designer?

Finding a designer

Creating a new swimming pool, cabana and landscaped garden is a big investment, so you need to get it right the first time, which in many cases will mean a landscape architectural designer. Most can design a holistic garden but few also have an intricate knowledge of pools and cabanas. Ask to see their portfolios and when shown a beautiful image, ask what they specifically designed.

Also, a few simple questions in the first phone call will quickly show you how knowledgeable they are. For pools, for example, you might ask a question like “What are the typical depths of a family pool?” (answer is 900mm to 1800 mm); for cabanas, “What is the minimum habitable ceiling height?” (answer is 2400mm).

Making a wish list

Read up on the latest technology and design. Once you’ve done a little homework and have considered your needs and wishes, you can decide what it is you want from your outdoor areas. When you convey this to your designer, they should be able to let you know what is feasible given the size of your property and local regulations, and provide a broad range of costs.

It’s often difficult to put ideas into words, especially when you need to agree with a partner. By collecting images that convey what you want, you can give your designer a good sense of what you’re interested in for the gardens, pool and any outdoor structures.

Initial Consultation

During an initial consultation a designer will ask about your likes and dislikes, your lifestyle and requirements for your external area. A good designer should listen to your ideas and try to integrate them into a design. If they think your ideas are not suitable, they should also
be confident enough to say so, give reasons why and then give alternative ideas. They shouldn’t simply just dictate their own taste to you.

A landscaper designer can help you by making suggestions as to what would suit your external area and ensure that how you intend to use the space will work. At the end of the consultation, the designer would normally provide you with a fee structure.

When you meet the designer, ask to look at before and after images of projects. These shots are visual proof of ability.

Working out a budget

Decide what you want to spend on your project. Speak with your designer to get a sense of what your project will cost and if you have a realistic budget. It’s best to know up front as you may have to adjust your expectations or stage your project as funds become available. If so, the order in which works are done is crucial and an experienced designer should be able to help you with scheduling so areas don’t need to be reworked or items are forgotten.

The approval process

A contemporary cabana may be as simple as a covered pergola with moveable lounges and a barbecue. At the other end of the spectrum, it can be an elaborate structure incorporating luxurious bathroom and kitchenette facilities with daybeds and a bar. What you build will depend on your lifestyle needs, the available space and, of course, the budget.

John Storch is a landscape architect, swimming pool and cabana designer, and director of Sydney-based practice, A Total Concept. 

This article was originally published in Outdoor Design.

The post Drean weaving appeared first on Completehome.

Words & photos Jo Immig

A working holiday in my early 20s introduced me to the enigmatic world of Japanese gardens. Recently I was fortunate to revisit Kyoto, the garden capital of Japan, where I set out to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s garden aesthetic.

Japanese garden culture is among the oldest in the world, dating back 1500 years. In that time, designs evolved to include aristocratic stroll gardens, tea gardens and enclosed dry-landscape stone gardens associated with Zen Buddhism.

Seasonal nature

Temporal in nature, Japanese stroll and tea gardens embrace the distinct seasons and celebrate fleeting displays of beauty.

Perhaps the most beloved season is spring when hanami, the flower-watching festival, occurs. Celebrated since the 7th century, it draws people out to gaze upon fleeting blossoms, delighting in the sense of renewal they bring after winter.

Similarly, momiji celebrates the picturesque turning of the maples and ginkgo leaves to warm shades of purple, red and gold in the coolness of autumn. It was maple season during my recent visit.

There’s nothing like strolling along a stone path in an ancient garden and finding a perfectly placed maple tree reflecting its autumnal colours into a lake. It’s breathtaking and induces a state of contemplation and reverence.

Finding tranquillity

A key conceptual aspect of Japanese garden design is seijaku, or tranquillity, which speaks to the idea of finding serenity amid the busyness of life, bringing a sense of peace and harmony with nature.

Characteristic elements such as rocks, gravel and stepping stones form the structure of the Japanese garden, while gently moving water represents life force and plants provide colour and link to the seasons.

Each element is deeply entwined with ancient cultural beliefs in Shinto, Japan’s animistic religion, which reveres supernatural deities called kami (“spirit gods”).

Shintoism teaches that the sacred is manifest in nature. Humankind and nature are not considered separate, so there is deep gratitude to the source of nature.

Bridges, for instance, are used to create islands in gardens as it’s believed kami reside there. Handmade sacred rope is often seen tied around a tree or stone, signifying the presence of kami.

Meditation on nature

At first glance to the western eye, a meticulously curated Japanese garden might seem like an exercise in triumph over nature, with its miniaturised cloud-pruned shrubs and trees, tiny mosses and carefully placed rocks and paths. But the intention is quite the opposite.

In essence, the Japanese garden is an homage to nature. It’s a miniaturised view of nature that plays with scale to bring about contemplation.

Rocks represent mountains and ponds can be oceans. The garden may be positioned to seamlessly blend with the “borrowed view” in the distance, giving a sense of connection to the broader landscape.

Geomancy and stones

Of all the elements, stone is revered for its enduring quality. Stones form the key structural element and balance the appearance of the overall garden.

Early garden designs were influenced by the widespread adoption of Chinese culture and practices such as geomancy and feng shui, a divination process used to guide the auspicious placement of objects.

Positioned stones in gardens represent miniaturised mountains, boats or animals such as turtles and are used as focal points for contemplation.

Zen Buddhist gardens

The most profound influence on Japanese gardens was the introduction of various forms of Buddhism, which arrived from China over the 6th century. Zen Buddhism had a particularly significant influence on garden design.

A power shift occurred at this time from the aristocratic court, with its large stroll and tea gardens, to the military elite whose rulers embraced Zen Buddhism.

Traditional Zen gardens, known as karesansui, were attached to temples and used for meditation rather than recreation. The design is a minimalist dry garden with rock, gravel, sand and wood. There are few plants and no water features, but stone lanterns and statuary are included.

Rather than looking out, these gardens are enclosed and one is encouraged to look within. Gravel is raked by monks into symbolic patterns and the act of raking is a meditative process to improve concentration.

Many ancient Zen gardens still exist in Kyoto. One famous example is Saihoji, more commonly known as Kokedera, or Moss Temple. During my last visit I had the pleasure of visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Built on the foundations of an ancient temple, Saihoji was restored and made into a Zen temple in 1339 by the monk Muso Soseki. The dry landscape garden at Saihoji is regarded as the pinnacle of this style and strongly influenced subsequent Japanese garden designs.

Soseki believed Buddhism expresses its spirituality through the gardens and the aim of the garden is to meet one’s own Buddha nature there.

The post Zen and now appeared first on Completehome.

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