Facebook Tweet Help Stories Outdoor Living Taking shelter Share Tweet Help A fireplace, high boundary walls and adjustable louvres ensure this cosy courtyard is inviting even on cooler evenings An exterior view of the patio area, decking, pavers, pebbles, fireplace, outdoor furnishings, plants, pergola. To be effective, an outdoor area needs to be large enough for its purpose, convenient, and comfortable to use.The home featured here had a poky little deck, and the rest of the garden sloped away. However, the overall area was large and had good potential. A close up view of the water feature. "We wanted indoor/outdoor flow and a space with privacy for use year round. It had to have a warm, welcoming ambience and a design that blended with the architecture of the house," the owner says.To achieve this, landscape designer Sam Lockie cut and filled the sloping garden to create a single, level area that could be accessed through French doors off the living room. Part of the new space was paved, and a pergola with adjustable louvres was added. An outdoor fireplace improves the ambience and means the area can be used all year. To create a sense of intimacy for the dining area, the paving is framed by a narrow band of pebbles. Kwila decking surrounds the paving and extends the space. A close up view of the water feature. To complement the style of the home and provide privacy, boundary and retaining walls are plastered. Tropical planting and a water feature add life to the hard landscaping. Credit list even on cooler evenings Landscape designer Sam Lockie, Landscape Transformations, LIANZ (Auckland) Decking Kwila Lighting design Landscape Transformations Water feature Granite flamed block from Stone Direct Pebbles Stone and Water World Paving Tile New Zealand Fencing Betta Panels and Walls Outdoor fire Fireplace Solutions Pergola LouvreTec Planting Rainbow Park Story by: Mary Webb 28 Mar, 2008 Outdoor Living Trendsideas Home kitchen bathroom commercial design Latest Post Rich yet minimalist 08 Dec, 2024 The river below 08 Dec, 2024 Tropical serenity 08 Dec, 2024 We know the Specialists Related Book More Books > Home Trends Vol. 24/3 NZ2403 Read More Similar Stories