Raby Bay

The kwila timber used for built-in seating and the decking allows the space to feel more natural. The design also offers some highly contemporary elements to contrast the rustic touches. This includes the outdoor kitchen and the laser-cut feature awning on the deck, which provides a dappled, patterned shadow and matches the wall features in the main entry. The tropical plant palette completes the aesthetic transformation with its soft, colourful foliage. The proliferation of large-leafed plants gives the deck and pool areas the feeling of being in a tropical resort. The plants, which include cordylines, bromeliads and bird of paradise, along with other elements of the garden, are highlighted by an outdoor lighting scheme that gives maximum night time visibility and enjoyment.

The Raby Bay Project

After years of running a business and very little time for the garden, it was time for a Utopia update! New bluestone surfaces, corten garden edging, custom feature pots at the front were just the start. Extending the rear patio, and adding a new covered outdoor kitchen area overlooking the water added much needed functionality and the pool area was re-imagined with a new pool seating area created using modwood for a long lasting yet modern finish which matched the existing pontoon. Glass fencing makes the space amazingly transparent to avoid interrupting the views. Most important to the success of the lush tropical plantings was the total rejuvenation of the soil structure and a fully automatic irrigation system which has the plants absolutely thriving. The addition of outdoor and landscape lighting allows all of the areas to be used so easily at night or to be seen from within the home. The proud owners have had many visitors and passers by remark on what a transformation they have made to their property.

As a busy professional, entertaining clients and business associates as well as her extended family is a regular occurrence and the brief was to ensure the space could provide an attractive and functional outdoor entertaining area which would be flexible and able to cope with constant use. For an outdoor entertaining area to be successful, it must draw you out to use it and then keep you there ... but just as importantly, it needs to provide the necessary functional elements.

The property already had a swimming pool and a terrace but was surrounded by colossal block fences which overwhelmed the entire space. That said, the indoor-outdoor connection to the paved terrace worked very well and was quite usable on a day-to-day basis and for small groups. This space was retained and furnished with those entertaining essentials: an outdoor dining setting and a lounge suite. The terrace sat slightly above the existing lawn and created the perfect transition to the carefully configured, newly installed deck area. It has a retreat with inbuilt seating at the far end for everyday use and a very open space where larger groups can mingle when the owner entertains. This provides ultimate flexibility as outdoor furniture is added as needed, transforming it into a large outdoor lounge area.

Of course, no outdoor entertainment space is complete without an outdoor kitchen area and these days a well-appointed barbecue with servery, under-bench cupboards and a glass-door refrigerator are a must. A kitchen with a stainless steel barbecue and clean-lined cabinets in fresh white was built to one side of the terrace. A new roof was added to enable all-weather usability and the ceiling was lined with pre-finished cedar for its warming, classy appearance. If you want people to stay in an outdoor entertaining area it needs to feel great and the aesthetic elements and materials used are pivotal. The main walls and bench seat have been clad with Clancy natural sandstone in a random ashlar pattern. This adds a rustic touch and a sense of warmth.

The kwila timber used for built-in seating and the decking allows the space to feel more natural. The design also offers some highly contemporary elements to contrast the rustic touches. This includes the outdoor kitchen and the laser-cut feature awning on the deck, which provides a dappled, patterned shadow and matches the wall features in the main entry. The tropical plant palette completes the aesthetic transformation with its soft, colourful foliage. The proliferation of large-leafed plants gives the deck and pool areas the feeling of being in a tropical resort. The plants, which include cordylines, bromeliads and bird of paradise, along with other elements of the garden, are highlighted by an outdoor lighting scheme that gives maximum night time visibility and enjoyment.