Extended living

With the right treatments, most gardens and back yards can be transformed into valuable outdoor living areas that complement more formal indoor living. And, as a bonus, such spaces can often be used in all weathers.

Landscape designer Peter Fudge was called in to improve the front and back gardens of one of three terrace houses in Sydney. Both spaces presented clean slates, with only a lawn and a large, old plane tree in the front garden, while the back garden, also lawn, was framed by the garage wall, creating a sunken courtyard.

The owners and their four teenagers enjoy entertaining at home, so they wanted to extend their living areas by incorporating the outdoor spaces.

"We designed the front and back gardens to create additional entertainment spaces and we have ensured they are as versatile as possible for this," says Fudge.

Previously, narrow stairs led from the gate up to the front door. These have been widened to create a more generous, grand-looking entrance, and a paved area where a small group can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. A stone path, lined with Japanese box hedging, meanders from the paved area through the garden to the front gate. The existing plane tree and Camellia sesanqua hedges ensure passersby can't see into this shady area. Water trickles continuously from a large urn into a pond below it, adding to the tranquillity of the space.

"This garden is not just a front path; the planting disguises the path, making the whole area into an attractive outdoor living space," says the designer.

Fudge created a second, very different, outdoor living area off the living room at the back of the house. French doors give access to an enclosed courtyard and, fitted with a retractable awning, this 3.5m x 6m space can be used all year round.

"It was important this area looked as large as possible, which we did by keeping the elements to a minimum," says Fudge.

Bench seats are built into a side wall, providing plenty of seating. To supplement this, extra chairs and a coffee table that can be extended to dining table size, can be carried out from the house. A barbecue, cantilevered off a side wall, appears to float and doesn't dominate the space.

The garage wall forms the back wall of the courtyard, and has been made into an eye-catching feature with a facade of pieces of cracked marble.

"Three lights behind the bench seat reflect off this textured surface, creating a very simple, organic effect that can be seen from the front door," he says.

The ground level of the courtyard was raised with 140mm-wide spotted gum boards, so it flows seamlessly into the floorboards in the internal living spaces. Cushions on the seat help bring the inside colour scheme out into the courtyard. They also make the space feel more casual and comfortable, and add a splash of colour to the neutral tones of the courtyard.

Story by: Mary Webb