Inside out

One of the downsides to modern suburban living can be a lack of privacy, with houses being built on smaller and smaller parcels of land. While we all understand the need to conserve our natural environment, we also still like to enjoy a standard of outdoor living away from prying eyes.

This was the impetus for the owners of this semi-detached house, when they were looking to add some more functionality to their living area, says interior designer Terri Tan of Designworx Interior Consultant.

"Initially, the client was seeking to add some privacy from the house opposite, as the distance between the two is quite narrow, as well as a way to reduce glare from the headlights of passing cars at night."

To address both these issues, Tan installed a screen of timber slats to shield the veranda. The slats have been placed on an angle to solve the visual problems without impeding natural ventilation. The timber also acts as a visually warming element, augmenting the planting on either side of the driveway.

"As the only outdoor living area, it was important to use the right materials," says Tan. "So we chose materials that were not only pleasing to the eye, but also suitable to a tropical outdoor environment."

The other requirement was to make the link between the indoor and outdoor areas as seamless as possible, says Tan.

"The clients wanted to create a space that read as a single entity. The first step was to replace the existing sliding door system with folding doors. This has created an opening that fully engages the space and has really opened the living area, adding an extra dimension to the family's lifestyle. The client's mother-in-law, in particular, loves to spend time on the veranda listening to the sound of flowing water from the water feature."

Story by: Justin Foote