tropical punch - Pepo Landscape Architects Sydney

{leafy retreat} outdoors
tropical punch
Drawing on global influences, one family
created a garden paradise in coastal Sydney
WORDS ANNA McCOOE STYLING ADAM ROBINSON
PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY
This inviting pocket is decorated in a palette inspired by the lush surrounds, with a green cushion by Bonnie And Neil and neutral
cushions from Soforia. The clean lines of the ‘Huski’ lounger and ‘Nano’ coffee table, both from Tait, lend a slick modern edge. >
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pool party
Karen and Phil’s backyard oasis was designed
to complement their contemporary home.
Blackbutt decking matches the floor level inside
the home to visually merge the spaces, and the
timber bridge leads to a sparkling pool clad in
‘Cuban Blend’ ceramic mosaic tiles from The Pool
Tile Company. The couple chose the black granite
paving after spying similar at a hotel in Singapore.
214 {DECEMBER 2013} homebeautiful.com.au
integrate
Great care was taken to
the garden into the
outdoor room, ramping up its connection with nature
THERE’S A SPOT at the end of the blackbutt bridge overhanging
the pool where Phil and Karen, owners of this eastern Sydney garden,
like to sit and gather their thoughts. Tranquil ponds are either side,
koi swimming in one and turtles in the other, and feathery king palms
cast intricate reflections on the surface of the water. It’s an ideal
subtropical space – until a troop of nine year olds cannonballs into
the pool to see who can make the biggest splash. “That’s the great
thing about the bridge,” says Phil. “It can be a quiet place to dangle
your feet or a pseudo diving board for our son Liam and his friends!”
When the couple built their house, they debated over whether
to include a pool, and ended up waiting three years and biding
their time with a simple garden as they got to know the lie of the
land. Once the decision was made, it escalated into a full-blown
project. Phil and Karen worked with landscape designer Michele
Shennen on a series of interconnected rectangles for the pool,
ponds and pathways that would blend with the architecture of
their home. Taking inspiration from time spent living and travelling
in Asia, the family wanted the garden to feel like a private oasis.
The look would be one-part Japanese temple garden, one-part
luxury resort, and heavy on colour, texture and scent.
Global influences also shaped the pool, built by Premier Pools;
the granite paving and mosaic tiles were chosen after trips to
Singapore and Bali respectively. “Many years ago we stayed at
the Tandjung Sari hotel in Bali and the pool had a natural,
relaxed feel we hoped to re-create,” Phil explains. Back home,
the couple found just the right multi-hued ceramic mosaic
tiles, which create a sense of movement and dimension. >
Above: Owners Phil and Karen were keen to balance functionality
with beauty in the form of verdant greenery, lining the deck
with narrow plant beds that deliver high impact. “Subtropical
plants thrive in this part of Sydney,” says garden designer Nicola
Cameron. The garden is hooked up to a 4000-litre rainwater tank
and irrigation system. Even so, Nicola notes that it was designed
for easy maintenance and only requires compost, a slow-release
seaweed liquid fertiliser and wetting agent twice a year – once in
spring and again in autumn. “And mulch is essential,” she adds.
Above: The peaceful pond is the ideal habitat for this short-neck
turtle, while the Chinese lantern adds more than just colour:
“You can eat the flower [when ripe],” says Nicola.
outdoors {leafy retreat}
relaxed
“We love the
mood. It’s not ostentatious
and it’s so private and lush” ~ Phil
Above left: A low row of Japanese box hedging adds
a green border between the ponds and pool.
Above right: The simple ‘Linear’ spotted-gum table
and modern ‘Jak’ chairs, all from Tait, allow the
focus to remain on the garden.
Left: King palms emerge from a bed of gardenias
to provide height and shade over the pool. Their
thin trunks make them ideal for narrow spaces. >
< Next on the couple’s agenda was a rich, full garden that
would make the house and pool look as though they belonged
in the environment. In this spirit, they called in garden designer
Nicola Cameron of Pepo Botanic Design to establish a subtropical
vibe. Now, narrow plant beds abundant with garden life, in a
harmonious palette of grey, black and green foliage, surround
the pool; it looks as though they were always meant to be there.
Pops of primary colours, via red canna lilies and yellow Chinese
lantern flowers, add tropical vibrancy. The secret to such a lush
look, says Nicola, is repetition: “It’s about mass planting in groups
so the forms and patterns repeat themselves,” she explains.
As the garden takes on a life of its own, the family couldn’t be
more pleased with the result, and they’re not alone. The turtles
and koi are happy in their ponds, while native lizards have made a
home in the plant beds. “There’s a place for everyone,” says Phil.
Pepo Botanic Design, (02) 9349 1220, pepo.com.au.
Michele Shennen landscape designer, 0418 227 922.
Premier Pools, (02) 9415 8888; premierpools.com.au.
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outdoors {leafy retreat}
club tropicana
This relaxed zone wouldn’t be out of place
in a five-star resort, thanks to the leafy backdrop
and Tait bench seat cushion in Warwick Fabrics
‘Bondi’ outdoor fabric. Bold and red with billowing
foliage, a striking canna lily embodies the lush look,
complemented by dark Aeonium ‘Schwarzkopf’
on the left and glossy Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ on
the right. The sail-cloth cube from Deck Design
Store brings a vibrant shot of orange.
218 {DECEMBER 2013} homebeautiful.com.au