The owners loved living in a vibrant urban suburb but missed the large coastal garden space they had left. Our brief was to design a deck and low-maintenance garden that felt like an extension of their indoor living area. Movement, space and intimacy were all important in this compact space.
Pepo’s design also had to be practical and accommodate a rainwater tank, clothes line, care parking, BBQ and entertaining space, not to mention an established conifer hedge.
Simple but elegant polished concrete stepping stones were handcrafted in organic shapes to create a pathway through the garden. These were a major design choice as many rooms overlook the garden space and the pattern the stones form.
Copper sculpture – we commissioned this stunning piece from Mark McClelland to break up the strong lines of the residence without blocking light. The owners love looking out onto this sculpture and the sense of strength and movement it adds.
Plants were chosen to complement the sculpture and add some colour highlights, but requiring little maintenance. The evergreen Magnolia with glossy green topside and copper underside of the leaf fills the space and screens the footpath. A bowl of red impatiens and red flowering Anthurium provides year-round flowers, with mounds of buxus adding a sculptural element.
The end result is an inviting garden that has an urban aesthetic with a sculptural feel. The garden softens the modern design of the home and the deck has become a well-loved and well-used everyday living area.
Pepo Botanic Design
pepo.com.au