Resort Living

LANDSCAPE OF THE YEAR AWARDS ENTRANT NSW

Created for a family that likes to entertain lavishly, this luxuriant landscape is modern and timeless

A vision of resort-style luxury, the stunning outdoor entertaining area, inviting swimming pool and luxuriant gardens that grace this lavish property were conceived by designer Justin Dibble, Director of Fluid Design.

“The brief was to create a landscape that blended with the natural, leafy surrounds, capitalised on the view of the adjacent golf course, complemented the modern style of the home, and provided multiple spaces for the family of six to enjoy,” says Justin.

Justin’s design encompasses a series of level terraces, all meticulously built by Akin Landscape Design & Construction. There are terraces for entertaining, growing food, and children’s play — there is also a large lawn so the boys can hone their football skills.

“The centrepiece of the design is a large swimming pool and spa with a resort vibe to cater for kids’ parties and entertaining family, friends, and work colleagues,” adds Justin. “There is also a covered outdoor entertaining space which can accommodate up to 20 people with ease for a barbecue. This is connected to the house so feels like an extension of the indoor living areas.”

Describing his design as “modern yet timeless”, Justin believes it is the careful selection of materials that has ensured total cohesion between inside and outside. This encompasses the in situ burnished concrete flooring in the alfresco entertaining area which references the interior finishes.

“The chic outdoor entertaining space is somewhere you can hang out for an entire day — and well into the evening,” says Justin. “This area features an outdoor TV and sound system, as well as a full outdoor kitchen which incorporates a built-in gas barbecue, bar fridges, a sink, and cabinetry for storage.

“There’s also a built-in outdoor wood-burning fireplace with a charcoal barbecue function, which means it can be used for both winter warmth and cooking. This is all complemented by a comfy outdoor lounge setting where the family can chill with friends, making it ideal for year-round entertaining.”

The sophisticated alfresco entertaining space overlooks the resort-style pool — its interior fully clad in luxurious aquamarine porcelain Sukabumi tiles — which features a floating spa and in-pool sunlounges.

The design wasn’t just about enhancing lifestyle, though. The property sits on a battle axe block and has a long driveway that leads up to the house. Creating a sense of arrival, the exposed aggregate concrete driveway is flanked by olive trees with the silver foliage contrasting the home’s charcoal facade.

“Throughout the property, the planting is well considered. Lilly pilly boundary plantings provide privacy while native bottle trees and grass trees act as features. The nature walk that connects the driveway to the kitchen garden and backyard showcases a robinia tree, retained from the original garden. This is underplanted with Gymea lilly and ornamental grasses,” says Justin.
In the pool area, double-stem Bangalow palms and frangipanis enhance the resort look with clumping bamboo providing a backdrop to the alfresco entertaining space.