A young family of four commissioned John Storch, principal of A Total Concept Landscape Architects, to design their swimming pool, cabana, outdoor entertaining room and gardens for their lower north shore Sydney property. The result is a beautifully integrated external space including swimming pool and outdoor rooms that adds enormously to the quality of life for the owners and their children.

All chosen colours have been designed to blend with existing materials and the dappled and shaded formal greens of the gardens and lawns. The vibrant glass tile used in the large geometric-shaped pool contrast beautifully with the blond limestone paving of the external
paved areas and the timber floor of the outdoor entertaining room. This flooring flows seamlessly from the matching timber flooring of the home through generous door openings.

The large pool bench acts as a safe haven for young guests and doubles as an informal seat in the pool, providing the perfect place for teenagers to chat. The pool depths have been designed to be deeper than usual to ensure any unsupervised diving by the two teenage boys is safe.

Located to the rear of the pool area is the cabana. Its position visually maximises the lawn and garden and offers views across the pool towards the house and outdoor
entertaining room. “This has allowed us to create two shaded entertaining spots, one for adults and one for teenagers and their friends,” says John. An elevated lawn area adjacent to the residence creates a level transitional zone between the home and rear spaces, adding interest to the design.

The cabana has been designed to double as a rumpus and sleepover room for children. It’s far enough away so that loud music and electronic games are not heard in the main home, but still close enough for parents to keep a watchful eye.

The traditional style and colours of the cabana tie back to the design of the house to ensure the overall project is in keeping with the residence. The roof of the poolside cabana has been designed as a lean-to, allowing for skylights and a very high ceiling. It’s great for light, airflow and to visually increase the size of the cabana.

An existing verandah area previously designed and built by others was too small for entertaining purposes. “Our client decided to bite the bullet and rebuild and extend both the entertaining area and the roofed covering over it to more substantial dimensions, with generous steps surrounding the space that visually integrate the area leading out to the surrounding lawns and paved spot designed for a basketball hoop,” says John.

The outdoor entertaining room adjacent to the residence has been designed to complement the new work, and a large kitchen has been incorporated to one side, allowing for extended family entertaining during festive seasons. The intricate built-in cabinetry incorporating Caesarstone benchtop, under-mounted sink, stainless-steel fridge, dishwasher and barbecue was designed for successful entertaining. Large skylights and adjustable louvred windows allow light into the outdoor entertaining room and create privacy for the adjoining property.

At night, lights in the pool and lighting in both the cabana and outdoor entertaining room create mood effects, with washes of light and dancing shadows across the water of the pool. This includes concealed strip lighting and LED downlighting in the ceiling, together with step lights and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the paving, lawn and garden areas.

All electrical components associated with the pool such as lighting, pool heating and garden lights are linked to the  electrical switching system of the cabana and residence with a two-way pool control system.

The surrounding gardens include formal hedges of Syzygium ‘Cascade’ (Cascade Lilly Pilly), Buxus sempervirens (English box) and Agapanthus orientalis ‘Blue’ (blue agapanthus) together with Cerastium tomentosum (snow-in-summer), Gardenia ‘Florida’ (Florists Gardenia) and Clivea miniata (Clivea). Specimen plantings
of Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ (Rusty Magnolia) and potted Fortunella hindsi (Hong Kong kumquat), together with formal tree planting of Magnolia ‘Exmouth’ (Magnolia), provide a mix of heady perfumed flowers at various times of the year to add interest to the project.

A Total Concept is an established multi-award-winning design practice covering the integration of internal and external areas for projects ranging from simple family homes and elaborate residential properties to boutique
and resort-style developments. The company provides a total service that creates a fusion of home and garden areas for clients.

“We specialise in the integration of beautiful and functional swimming pools, gardens, cabanas and the home itself for projects ranging from the smallest inner city courtyard to family residences and large country estates,” explains John. “We can help with any design project anywhere in Australia, from contemporary through to traditional.”

Services extend from consultations, designs and specifications, council approvals and builder recommendations to the total management of the project and contract administration, for home alterations and additions, pools, cabanas and gardens.

The company brings together all aspects of the project, helping to explain the alternatives available, then holistically designing your property and specifying the choice of materials and colours, planting, lighting, internal fixtures and fittings, flooring and paving.

For more information

A Total Concept

The post Summer-Ready Outdoor Entertaining Space for Your Next Family Outing appeared first on Completehome.

Built on a sloping coastal property in Portsea, this stunning pool by Aquarius Pools is uniquely formed by the undulating sand dunes on which it sits. Mimicking the understated ambience of the seaside location, the entire design exudes contemporary elegance with its geometric lines and a striking tile choice.

Conceptualised by its clients in conjunction with the architect and Aquarius Pools, the design was inspired by the relaxed coastal lifestyle and a long-term vision of the client. To be used predominantly for entertainment and relaxation, a spa is attached to the pool design along with a hardwood deck, creating plenty of space for lounging in the sun.

Stretching the length of the house, the pool is visible from the big outdoor kitchen on the second level by use of large glass windows that open out to overlook the surrounds and local township. The pool and spa are built in perfect proportion to the house and property for that “open resort living” feel.

Accessible via the hardwood decking, the pool and spa glimmer in the afternoon sun, creating an inviting look to the water. An unusual yet striking tile choice with hues of metallic, gold, white and pearl adds to the sparkle in the water and overall luxurious appeal.

A large solar heating system takes advantage of the open design, capturing the sun’s rays to ensure the optimal water temperature at all times. An energy-saving Variable Speed Pentair IntelliFlo pump adds a further “green” aspect to the pool as well as top-quality filtration.

Specialising in custom-built, high-quality concrete swimming pools, Aquarius Pools works on about 30 pools each year, concentrating on quality rather than quantity. This pool is no exception. The company prides itself on its high standards, honesty and integrity, and revels in the results of building beautiful swimming pools.

Aquarius Pools builds on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and in Melbourne’s bayside and eastern suburbs and is a member of SPASA.

For more information
Aquarius Pools

Originally in Poolside, Volume 47

The post Contemporary elegance: coastal pool appeared first on Completehome.

What do you do when you have big ambitions for your garden but not a great amount of space? You seek the guidance of a professional landscape designer, which is precisely what the owners of this luxurious home in Melbourne’s inner suburbs did.

They sought out David Franklin of Franklin Landscape & Design, who says: “The brief from the owners of this house was to give them a garden that looked like it had been there for years. This meant giving the garden an established feel and ensuring it complemented the architectural style of the house. Another important element of the design was the creation of entertaining areas and finding space for a plunge pool.”

David chose a French cottage-style theme for the garden, which combines rustic charm with easy elegance and a dash of formal flair. One of the ways the Franklin Landscape & Design construction team was able to give the garden an established look was by incorporating some salvaged materials.

“There is the bluestone water feature which we built out of blocks saved from the original garden and we also managed to get some wharf timber from an old pier on the Mornington Peninsula. We used this timber as our uprights around the dining area and then attached ArchBar trellis mesh panels, along which Boston ivy and star jasmine now grow to create a leafy screen,” says David.

The plunge pool is another stand-out feature. “Building the plunge pool in such a small space was definitely a challenge,” he says, “especially trying to fit in the pool equipment and all the pipe work.”

Making the most of the space in the dining area was equally important. Here there is a built-in daybed and a built-in seat as well as a large wall-mounted mirror that gives the space the appearance of added depth. Spotted gum was used for the decking in this area while elsewhere, sawn bluestone paving was the flooring of choice.

The paving offsets the rich greens of the planting palette, which includes multiple buxus balls that create a softening “cloud” effect, feature plantings of Japanese maples and succulents in pots. At night, the plants, as well as the key design elements, are illuminated by Aqualux lighting and there is an outdoor sound system to set the desired mood.

In summing up, David says: “This garden was such a pleasure to work on and I am very gratified by what we have been able to achieve in such a small space. It has everything that you want for inner-city living and a lovely natural flow that integrates so well with the house.”

Landscape design and construction by Franklin Landscape & Design 

Photography by Patrick Redmond

Originally from Outdoor Design & Living, Volume 31

The post Real backyard: Easy elegance appeared first on Completehome.

Keep it sleek and simple in the bathroom with our picks of classic pieces you’ll love for years to come.

1. The Annelie basin from Dado Australia. dadoaustralia.com.au

2. Bento freestanding bath from Formed Signature. formed.com.au

3. Vesper Major mosaic tiles from Bisazza. perini.com.au

TIP: Classic styling doesn’t have to be boring. Inject a little fun into your bathroom with a pop of colour or interesting tile design. 

4. IXL Tastic Neo from Sampford IXL. sampfordixl.com.au

5. Roma basin with chrome legs from Rogerseller. rogerseller.com.au

6. Gold Glam vessel basin from Unique Sinks. uniquesinks.com.au

7. Rainlight square from Rogerseller. rogerseller.com.au

8. Marble bathroom accessories from Canningvale. canningvale.com

9. Fold towel rail from Rogerseller. rogerseller.com.au

10. Semi-pendant light from Cult. cultdesigned.com.au

11. Twit basin mixer from Paco Jaanson. pacojaanson.com.au.

12. Corduroy Rib Towel Range Stack by Canningvale. canningvale.com

By Alexandra Longstaff
From Luxury Home Design magazine Vol. 15 No. 6

The post Bathroom decorating idea: Classic, timeless bathroom appeared first on Completehome.