Tropical Treat

A perfectly positioned cabana is the social hub for a fun-loving Sydney family

On this elevated northern beaches property, A Total Concept, a Sydney-based company specialising in landscape architecture and swimming pool design, has created a stunning outdoor room for relaxing and socialising. This simple yet stylish beach cabana opens to a plunge pool set within a lush garden boasting an emerald-green lawn and luxuriant tropical plantings.

“The cabana has simple, clean lines and, unlike many poolside cabanas, has been designed with no built-in cabinetry to allow for maximum flexibility in its use as the family’s children grow,” explains John Storch, director of A Total Concept. “At present, the cabana incorporates a generous all-weather lounge setting, a bar fridge and lamps.”

As the owners have young children, the outdoor room couldn’t be in a better location. The adults can relax or entertain friends in the shade of the cabana while maintaining a direct line of sight to the pool, ensuring the little ones are completely supervised at all times while swimming or playing pool games.

“As the children grow, the owners intend to use the cabana for different purposes — as a rumpus room with stereo system for the children to entertain their friends when they become teenagers or possibly as the bedroom for the eldest,” says John. “Once the children leave home, the cabana can be used as an art studio or meditation room for the parents, as a guest room for friends or to accommodate an elderly relative.”

At night, the outdoor room is well lit with both lamps and halogen ceiling lighting. This provides for all the functional purposes. Additional illumination is provided by energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the garden areas. This creates a variety of different effects and moods as washes the landscape with light and dancing shadows.

Of course, the beautiful plunge pool, also designed by A Total Concept, is a focal point of the overall landscape design. “The shimmering, vibrant blue-coloured water reflects the sky by day and the cabana lights at night and sits in elegant contrast to the blond sandstone paving and large lawn area,” says John.

“The pool steps and underwater bench double as informal seats within the plunge pool,” he continues, “and with heated spa jets incorporated into the backrest, it provides the perfect place — especially on a chilly day when you need warming up — for parents to chat. What’s more, it’s a safe haven within the pool for the children and their young friends.”

The planting is integral to the success of the project and provides the cabana with a lovely outlook. Due to the northerly aspect of the property, which provides sun all day and shelter from the strong southerly storms, John was able to establish amazing tropical gardens containing giant birds of paradise, kentia palms, red and bronze cordylines, frangipanis and philodendrons — all of which are flourishing.

The overall project, designed and project-managed by A Total Concept, seamlessly integrates the beach cabana with the plunge pool, lawn and tropical gardens. The result is a stunning outdoor room with a “holiday at home” ambience that all the family can enjoy.

Project details
Landscape design and project management by A Total Concept 21 Ellalong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090 Phone (02) 9957 5122 Mobile 0407 245 201
Email design@atotalconcept.com.au Website www.atotalconcept.com.au