DESIGNER LANDSCAPES

an urban escape An inviting outdoor entertaining space that is as flexible as it is aesthetically pleasing

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he outdoor space was small but the wish list was extensive. Luckily, the designer, David Franklin of Franklin Landscape & Design, relishes a Tchallenge. He’s also someone who thrives under pressure, which is just as well when you consider this garden was created for the home that won the 2017 series of The Block. David worked hand-in-hand with winning contestants Josh Barker and Elyse Knowles to deliver a modern, multi-functional outdoor living zone that proved such a perfect complement to the home that the property sold at auction for a record-breaking price. levels. Customisation is the key word here, with by the rectangular sawn basalt steppers in both the pool area and around the barbecue, “Josh and Elyse wanted a garden with two custom-made, black powder-coated water the lawn and the step capping. Also by the and underlighting to highlight the cantilevered ‘wow factor’ and one that tied into the design spouts attached to the feature wall beside the walls of old red brick that reference the front pool at lawn level,” says David. philosophy of the work they were doing in the pool — its name, The Elsternwick, formed in the of the renovated period home. Added texture An eye for detail is evident throughout, from home’s interior,” says David. “The overall feel pool’s cantilevered poured concrete edge. is contributed by the plants. the custom-made outdoor cushions that grace of the interior was contemporary with subtle Concrete makes another appearance in the David’s planting palette is well considered the concrete bench seat and the poolside references to the heritage aspects of the contemporary barbecue benchtop, the bench and integral to the success of the garden. lounging area to the naming of the pool. It gives Californian bungalow and finishing flourishes seat that looks like it is a continuation of the In the garden beds you will spy Magnolia ‘St this urban escape — where every centimetre of of tropical resort styling. bench/fireplace hearth inside the home, and Mary’s’ underplanted with topiarised Buxus space has been put to excellent use and every “One of the key elements of the brief the circular feature pot on the deck. sempervirens, Clivia miniata and Ajuga reptans lifestyle opportunity maximised — a cohesive was to include a swimming pool, which was The skillful mixing of materials, including ‘Catlin’s Giant’. The feature pot on the deck and polished look that will never date. a challenge given the small area and the timber, is one of the design’s best features. boasts a Strelitzia nicolai underplanted with need to include various other elements,” he Radial timber battens form part of the pool Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, while the screen PROJECT DETAILS explains. “Room needed to be found for a fence and also screen the pool equipment. planting above the timber cladding is a mix of Landscape design and construction barbecue, an in-situ concrete bench seat, an Then there is the timber deck, which was Gardenia augusta ‘Florida’, Hedera canariensis FRANKLIN LANDSCAPE & DESIGN outdoor table, lawn and a cubby.” designed as an extension of the internal floor and more Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’. MOBILE 0401 383 827 The main feature is the custom-designed level, allowing for a seamless transition from The lighting is just as essential. “There are EMAIL [email protected] boutique pool that is cleverly integrated into the indoor to outdoor entertaining. fairy lights in the large feature magnolia, up/ WEBSITE franklinld.com space through the masterful manipulation of The warmth of the wood is complemented down copper wall lights on the brick walls in PHOTOGRAPHY by Patrick Redmond

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