Low Maintenance Backyard Garden Renovation (Kensington).
A lot more thought goes into a landscape design these days, especially compared to the 1980’s when a combination of garden styles was typically found within the one backyard. Often too home owners update sections of their backyard ad hock, with little thought to keeping to an overall theme.
With English style lattice pavilions, Tuscan inspired concrete paving to the patio area and crazy-pave pool coping, clients at Kensington decided it was time for a garden renovation that would better serve their active lifestyle.
In search for landscape designers to be able to plan and handle all the landscaping construction work required led these clients to Living Pictures By Tony Stanton and a concept design session was booked.
After listening to the wishes and needs of the family, Tony drew up a concept plan and sketch to illustrate what the renovation could look like once complete.
The family with teenagers wanted a tidier, simple design that was functional and low maintenance, so all of the garden’s existing structures, the pool coping and all of the pavers would be removed ready to start again.
The backyard garden makeover for this project was to focus on three areas, renovation to the existing swimming pool landscaping, a new undercover outdoor entertaining area and a new walled area with raised garden beds and bench seating.
Happy with the garden design ideas Tony came up with, he was asked to draw up plans for the landscaping.
Pool Landscaping
Sandstone look, 600mm x 400mm Travertine pavers with matching coping was selected to be laid around the pool and to the steps. A new timber deck at the end was constructed using 140mm wide hardwood decking boards to create a more relaxed look. The deck area was large enough to cater for 4 lounge chairs, so the whole family could enjoy the space at once.
Tony’s Tip: Use Hardwood Timber
When using timber near a pool I recommend using Spotted gum, Merbau or Grey Ironbark timber slats. These are all very durable hardwoods. I also strongly suggest treating with a quality decking oil to increase the decks longevity and protect the wood from staining.
Sealing timber decking regularly, once a year, will keep the timber looking fresh and more like it looked when it was first laid.
Matching coloured pots with Mandarins were placed around the edges of the pool adding to the clean, simple and more modern look.
New Outdoor Entertaining Area With Paving Under A Verandah
A Colourbond veranda matching both the home’s roof material and pitch was erected along the length of the house to provide shade and rain protection over a new outdoor entertaining area. Two translucent light panels were placed over the windows of the house to provide some natural light to the rooms.
Distinct areas of paving were laid to separate the lounge and dining areas with exposed aggregate concrete surround providing continuity.
Tony’s Tip: Lay Paving First
If you are going to insert paving into concrete it is best to lay the paving first. In this case, the pavers were wet laid on mortar by licensed paving contractors from Hand Made Gardens. The concrete is then poured to the level of the pavers. Always make sure the pavers and concrete have a matching fall and that they fall to a drain.
I suggest long drainage channels because that allows for a single direction of fall and creates the impression that the concrete/paver combination is flat.
The same verandah pavers used around the pool were selected to define the different areas.
Lighting, heaters and ceiling fans make the whole area comfortable all year round.
Raised Garden Beds With Hardwood Bench Seating
2100mm ‘Rendapanel’ walling was constructed with Hebel used to form the raised garden bed. ‘Spotted Gum’ hardwood was used to build the bench seats, cantilevered off the wall to negate the need for legs, keeping the whole area clean and modern looking.
Plants used were Sanseveria ‘Silver Sword’ and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ watered by a dripper system.
The final result delighted the whole family commenting that this is how it should have been done to start with.
After A Backyard Garden Renovation?
Have something in mind but need a plan? Ask Tony for help.
After booking the initial concept design meeting then completion of both your hardscape construction plans and softscape design plans, you’ll have a good idea of what the costs will be to transform your current back garden into the dream outdoor oasis you’re after.
Whether you’d like a formal or informal design, whether you have a small backyard garden renovation in mind, a courtyard garden to update or large back garden you’d like to transform, you can trust Tony Stanton to come up with innovative garden design solutions to match your lifestyle.
