Fresh and inviting, both the front and rear gardens stand as a prime example of how thoughtful landscape design can transform a blank canvas into a timeless, family-friendly retreat.

Located on an 830sqm sloped block in Brisbane’s Inner North, the landscape, designed by Michelle de Winter, Creative Director of Green Ink Garden Design, merges sustainable design principles with a relaxed modern Hamptons aesthetic, ideally suited to Queensland’s subtropical climate.

“The design brief focused on creating a landscape that reflects the family’s lifestyle — natural, low-maintenance, and practical — while offering safe, enticing spaces for children to play and adults to unwind,” explains Michelle. “Central to the design was the establishment of functional zones that connect seamlessly with the new home, enabling year-round enjoyment.

“A predominantly native planting palette was selected to foster biodiversity and minimise maintenance, while select flowering species introduce vibrant colour throughout the seasons,” she adds. “The choice of Zoysia Nara turf provides a hardy, drought-tolerant lawn that’s soft underfoot and perfect for play.”

The front garden and entry balance privacy with street appeal, incorporating secure fencing that keeps children and pets safe and contributes to the home’s coastal-inspired aesthetic. Native plants adapted to wet, clay soils, including Brachyscome angustifolia ‘Mauve Bliss’ (native daisy), Casuarina glauca ‘Cousin It’ (she-oak), Myoporum parvifolium ‘Yareena’ (creeping boobialla), Leptospermum hybrid ‘Pink Cascade’ (tea tree), Melaleuca quinquenervia ‘Mini Quini’ (dwarf broad leaved paperbark), Melaleuca thymifolia ‘Cotton Candy’ (honey myrtle), and Raphiolepis indica ‘Cosmic Pink’ (Indian hawthorn) provide subtle colour.

“The existing swimming pool area was redesigned as both the visual and social heart of the backyard. Slip-resistant natural granite was chosen for its durability and understated elegance, complementing the home’s architectural tones. Surrounding garden beds of thoughtfully layered native and subtropical species soften the space and add colour, enhancing the connection between house and garden,” says Michelle.

“A dedicated mulched garden zone was created to accommodate the children’s trampoline, discreetly screened with lush planting to integrate it into the landscape.”

Working with the landscaper, Jade Built Landscape and Construction, Michelle also addressed drainage issues, with level changes, sub-surface drainage, and tiered gardens managing water movement across the property. At the rear, a rain garden captures excess runoff, forming a temporary ponding area that attracts native wildlife. It’s surrounded by Ficinia nodosa (knobby club rush), a native tussock grass. Sustainability was also a fundamental consideration with sustainable materials, including merbau timber, used throughout.

The result is a series of cohesive outdoor spaces that feel effortless and refined, demonstrating how well-resolved design can overcome site challenges to deliver spaces that enrich a family’s lifestyle. This timeless coastal-Hamptons-meets-subtropical-Queensland design celebrates form, function, and family living, gifting the family with a modern Brisbane garden built to thrive for many years to come.

For more information

Green Ink Garden Design
Qld winner – LDI National Landscape Design Awards

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