Seclusion

An outdoor entertaining area that connects seamlessly with a home's interior is easily achieved when the garden opens directly off the house. But when the terrain slopes away and sits on a level below the house, creating an intimate, accessible courtyard is more difficult.

The home featured on these pages was a case in point. Seeking a design solution, the owners approached landscape designer Scott Brown, who had laid out their front garden several years ago.

"The existing area sloped away from the base of the house and had been divided into several different levels, each paved in bricks. The levels were more like wide stairs, and none seemed large enough to use."

Some of these steps were levelled to create a courtyard and paved with large cream-coloured slabs of stone, while planter boxes were built around the edges to frame the space. Capped in grey, the planter boxes add colour contrast and a modern element.

The green barge boards on the base of the house were removed and replaced with cement sheets painted cream so as not to dominate the courtyard. The garage wall opposite the space was rendered for the same reason.

Brown says the raised planter boxes create a sense of intimacy in the courtyard and provide additional seating when necessary. The boxes also make garden maintenance easier.

To connect the two levels, the original steps which had obtrusive timber balusters were rebuilt with a timber top and wire railings.

"Providing both a practical and visual link between the two levels, the new stairway helps to eliminate any feeling of isolation," says the landscape designer.

A water feature, set against the garage wall, has been designed so the water gently cascades over layers of randomly placed slate. Brown says a free-flowing water sculpture would have echoed too much in this high-walled courtyard.

Story by: Trendsideas