Erskineville 

This courtyard has been transformed into a green, private haven to entice the busy owners outside to relax and entertain, making full use of their outdoor space. 

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The brief emphasized green tropical plantings with diversity of plants and leaf shapes.  The clients also requested privacy from the neighbouring property, a place to dine, relax and entertain, natural stone paving for happy bare feet, and some available outdoor space for their beloved dog Ziggy. These clients had a good idea of what they needed to bring them outside, the challenge was fitting it all in!

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The design 

At 40m2, and due to the shape of the garden, it was inevitable that vertical gardens, climbers and tree canopy would be necessary to green the space. Incorporating the surrounding landscape of palms, paperbark and eucalypt trees into the design helped to stretch the eye, and increase a feeling of space in the garden.

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Bringing the outside in, a vertical wall was installed the full length of the kitchen window and planted out in various shades and shapes of green.  Around it, a large palm, hanging baskets and elkhorn ferns on the walls created green layers, making the view from the kitchen dining table interesting and refreshing.  In the courtyard, custom made screening in spotted gum provided instant privacy, returning across the outdoor laundry to blend it seamlessly into the design.  This was then continued along a high planting bed with cantilevered seating for the dining area, planted out with the large leafed feature tree, Michelia x alba and tropical plantings.

The client chose grey marble veined limestone pavers and a mixture of large black pots and 'Atlantis' accent pots for plantings of palms, philodendrons, succulent mixtures and giant bromeliads.  Star jasmine climbs up and along the walls and hanging baskets of silver dichondra tumble down, adding movement to the garden.  

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The clients chose a stunning, large daybed from Eco Outdoor as the main player of the garden space.  Its' simple and beautiful design with soft large cushions draws you in as you enter the courtyard and invites you to stay, revive and enjoy the garden.