Outdoor entertaining by the pool

Remodelled pool landscape with new entertaining terrace, sandstone feature wall, spotted gum timber, bench seats design by Good Manors Pools and Gardens

A minimal material palette of travertine pavers, blue area, backyard, fence, garden, grass, grass family, hedge, house, land lot, lawn, nature reserve, outdoor structure, plant, property, real estate, shrub, tree, yard, green — A minimal material palette of travertine pavers, blue pool tiles and spotted gum timber are complementary and work well with the sandstone feature wall.

This rather tired landscape was overhauled by Good backyard, leisure, property, real estate, resort, swimming pool, water, teal

A minimal material palette of travertine pavers, blue backyard, courtyard, deck, floor, flooring, hardwood, outdoor structure, patio, stairs, walkway, yard, gray

A minimal material palette of travertine pavers, blue backyard, composite material, leisure, outdoor structure, property, real estate, swimming pool, water, water resources

Contemporary outdoor entertaining area - Contemporary outdoor entertaining courtyard, flora, flower, house, houseplant, leaf, plant, tree, wall, wood, gray

The custom built outdoor furniture in this pool backyard, courtyard, deck, landscaping, outdoor furniture, outdoor structure, patio, table, wall, wood, yard, green, brown

Contemporary outdoor entertaining area - Contemporary outdoor entertaining backyard, bench, deck, furniture, garden, outdoor furniture, outdoor structure, plant, table, tree, wood, green

Contemporary outdoor entertaining area - Contemporary outdoor entertaining backyard, outdoor structure, plant, swimming pool, tree, water, green

Contemporary outdoor entertaining area - Contemporary outdoor entertaining backyard, plant, property, swimming pool, water, green

Contemporary outdoor entertaining area - Contemporary outdoor entertaining flowerpot, garden, grass, grass family, landscaping, plant, shrub

In this new outdoor living area a minimal backyard, courtyard, estate, garden, home, house, landscape, landscaping, leisure, outdoor structure, plant, property, real estate, swimming pool, walkway, water, yard, brown

Contemporary outdoor entertaining area - Contemporary outdoor entertaining backyard, garden, grass, landscape, landscaping, leaf, plant, shrub, tree, walkway, wall, yard, green

As well as providing privacy, recreation and pleasure, the ideal landscape will also evolve to keep pace with changing family needs over time.

This project by the landscape design team at Good Manors came about from a desire to create a landscape that ticked all these boxes. Conceptual designer Raoul Van de Laak says the grounds consisted of a large swimming pool, which left little room for an entertaining area.

"It was a poor use of space. The pool was much too large and there was no proper access to the upper garden. And the owners had teenagers, so providing an entertaining area was important."

To create more space, the team reduced the size of the pool by nearly a third and removed the adjoining spa pool. The area was then converted into a spacious entertaining patio with custom-built daybeds, loungers and portable tables.

A sandstone feature wall provides an architectural element and creates a distinction between the daybed and steps leading to the upper garden. This wall helps to ground the landscape and bring the different elements together.

Privacy was another key consideration in the design of this landscape and was balanced with the owners' request for a relaxed, subtropical aesthetic. To achieve this, Van de Laak focused on perimeter planting. Screening plants created a pleasing backdrop, while feature shrubs were used to provide a textural contrast.