Erskineville 

This courtyard has been transformed into a green, private haven to entice the busy owners outside to relax and entertain, making full use of their outdoor space. 

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The brief included green tropical plantings with a diversity of plants and leaf shapes. The clients needed privacy from the neighbouring property, a place to dine, relax and entertain, natural stone paving for happy bare feet, and some available outdoor space for their beautiful dog. These clients had a good idea of what they needed to bring them outside; the challenge was fitting it all in!

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The design 

The L shaped garden measured a total of 40m2, so we maximised available plant space by using vertical gardens, climbers and tree canopy to green the garden.  Incorporating the surrounding landscape of paperbark and eucalypt trees into the design helped to stretch the eye and increase a feeling of space in the garden.

Internal views to a garden are equally as important as the outdoor experience. Bringing the outside in, we transformed the kitchen view of a blank wall to a vertical wall with contrasting shades and shapes of green foliage. Additional layers of green using palms, hanging baskets and elkhorn ferns on the walls also brought further depth to the view.  

In the courtyard, privacy issues were met with custom made screening in spotted gum and included a hidden door to disguise the outdoor laundry. A tall, raised bed with cantilevered seating maximises space for outdoor dining and was planted out with the large-leafed White Champaca tree (Michelia x alba) and tropical plantings.

Grey marble veined limestone pavers unite the different areas of the garden and contrast with large black and 'Atlantis' pots for accent plantings of palms, philodendrons, succulent mixtures and giant bromeliads. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) climbs up and along the walls and hanging baskets of silver dichondra tumble down, adding movement to the garden.

The clients chose a stunning, large daybed from Eco Outdoor as the main player of the garden space. Its' simple and beautiful design with soft large cushions draws you in as you enter the courtyard and invites you to stay, revive and enjoy the garden.