Rural retreat

Country homesteads often sit amid several hectares of rolling hills and bush. With such an expansive landscape, there's a need to create more intimate outdoor living areas.

Landscape designer Louise Bailey was commissioned to design the project featured on these pages for one such property Otahuna Lodge. The owners, Greg and Julie Leniston, wanted a large, heated pool, a hot tub, outdoor fireplace and barbecue, and enough room to entertain up to 60 people at any one time.

"The first challenge was siting the pool within the overall landscape," says Bailey. "After plenty of consideration, we eventually opted to place the new pool where a smaller, existing pool had been. This area, tucked in front of several large trees, has its own micro-climate. Not only does it receive all-day sun, it also has protection from the prevailing winds, thanks to the trees and bush."

Bailey says the size of the pool and the surrounding poolscape was kept large, so it would be in proportion with the overall landscape and the large homestead. Creating plenty of hard landscaping also ensures there is room for several sun recliners and tables, allowing more than one group to occupy the space at the same time.

"It also means there is enough room to hold functions and guests can spill out across the swathe of lawn between the house and the pool."

Two solid, freestanding walls within the pool area accommodate the fireplace and barbecue respectively. The walls and raised planter boxes help to enclose the pool space, providing a sense of intimacy.

As the area is frequently used for entertaining, the barbecue facilities include plenty of bench space and two under-bench refrigerators. A gate beside the barbecue area is used by catering staff.

Large rocks within the pool area were sourced locally and are surrounded by the soft green of Scleranthus biflorus and the more spiky Astelia chatamica or silver spear. Around the fence line, softer garden planting has been established.

"We kept the garden colour scheme to a minimum, opting for mainly green and white shades, with small touches of blue," says Bailey. "It was important that the garden didn't overpower the beauty of the country setting."

Camellia hedges planted along both sides of the pool fence will eventually camouflage the fencing. These include the cream-toned Brushfields yellow and the white Setsugekka camellia.

Story by: Trendsideas