Intimacy and connection

Designed by Valentina Moreno, Goom Landscapes

From the landscape designer:

The Brief

The homeowners sought a landscape that would become the heart of family life, a place to gather, relax and entertain throughout the year. 

Their key objectives included:

• A generous outdoor entertaining space.
• Integrated outdoor kitchen and barbecue.
• A central fire feature for year-round use.
• Dining and lounge areas that flowed seamlessly from the home.
• A swimming pool that felt connected yet safe for family living.
• A low-maintenance planting scheme.
• A landscape that respected and enhanced its rural surroundings.

The challenge

The challenge was to create intimacy within a large open property while maintaining uninterrupted views across the surrounding landscape.

Design response

The landscape is organised into a sequence of interconnected outdoor rooms, each with a distinct purpose while remaining unified through a restrained material palette and strong architectural forms.

At the centre of the design sits an expansive hardwood deck that extends the home's living spaces outdoors. 

Rather than creating isolated destinations, the entertaining spaces overlap naturally, allowing family and guests to move effortlessly between lounging beside the fire, preparing food at the outdoor kitchen, or gathering around the dining table.

Careful spatial planning ensures that no single element dominates the experience. 

Instead, the fire, dining, lounge and barbecue areas work together as one cohesive outdoor living environment.

Creating shelter without losing the landscape

One of the defining challenges of rural properties is creating comfortable outdoor spaces within vast open settings. 

These architectural elements frame views, offer protection from prevailing winds and subtly separate functional zones without disconnecting them from one another.

A large cantilever Shade 7 umbrella was included to add shade – this was also apt, versatile choice as it can be angled and reportioned and is sturdy enough for Canterbury’s harsh conditions.

The outcome

The result is a series of outdoor rooms that feel protected while remaining visually open to the surrounding lawns, mature shelter belts and established trees beyond.

Planting design

The planting palette embraces simplicity and longevity.

Rather than relying on large numbers of species, the design uses repeated masses of hardy, architectural plants to create rhythm and cohesion throughout the garden. 

Carefully selected specimen trees introduce seasonal interest while complementing the mature landscape already present on the property.

Soft ornamental grasses and evergreen shrubs provide year-round structure, while flowering accents add seasonal colour without increasing maintenance demands.

Wide garden beds allow plants to mature naturally, reducing the need for constant pruning while suppressing weeds and improving long-term garden performance.

The planting intentionally transitions gently into the expansive lawns, allowing the landscape to sit comfortably within its rural setting rather than feeling overly formal.

Sustainability & maintenance

The landscape was designed with long-term practicality in mind.

Low-maintenance planting, generous mulch areas and durable construction materials reduce ongoing maintenance requirements while ensuring the garden matures gracefully over time.

The extensive lawn provides flexible recreational space for children while requiring minimal intervention beyond routine care.

Every design decision considered longevity, functionality and ease of maintenance, ensuring the landscape continues to support the family's lifestyle well into the future.

Story by: Trendsideas