This remarkable alfresco entertaining area perfectly meets the family’s lifestyle needs
The Australian passion for outdoor living has led to something of a backyard revolution, and nowhere is this more evident than in the dominance of the outdoor room. Be it a space for dining, cooking or just chilling with friends, we all want somewhere to entertain that has the amenities and ambience of an interior living room but the openness and connection to nature you can only experience with an alfresco entertaining area.
To be considered successful, any outdoor living space, whether it’s a well-appointed, beautifully furnished poolside pergola or an inviting, rustic fire pit area in a quiet spot in the garden, it must be tailored to meet the needs of those using it.
For this relaxed outdoor oasis in the Blue Mountains region of NSW, the owners wanted Grant Tattersall and the team at Grant’s Landscapes to construct a series of outdoor living spaces that would seamlessly integrate with the modern new pool they also planned to build.
“The initial design was conceived by the homeowner and we stepped in to suggest various refinements and make recommendations about materials, finishes and plants,” says Grant. “As this was a project that involved the construction of new walls, a deck, paving, fencing and more, quality was important, as was attention to detail in the construction process.
“For me, two of the standout features are the stone-clad walls and the raised timber deck. For strength, the walls were built of masonry blocks after which we affixed the highly textured, veneer stone cladding. For the deck and the steps that lead from the lawn to the poolside pergola, we used merbau timber. The colour of the timber picks up on the warm, natural tones of the stone walling, the large river pebbles, and the Corten steel edging used to define garden beds and the fire pit zone.”
The other major hardscaping material is travertine, which was used for the paving. Travertine is a classic choice, as well suited to traditional settings as it is rustic or modern designs. The light tones of the paving make the poolside outdoor room seem even more spacious, an effect enhanced by painting the walls and ceiling white.
“The main outdoor entertaining area has everything the family needs to entertain easily and in comfort. There is an outdoor kitchen and barbecue, a cosy lounge setting, a dining setting for six, and a ceiling fan to keep things cool,” says Grant.
Completing the picture, native plants add flourishes of green and work in harmony with the established planting, which includes an established tree that provides shade during part of the day for those gathered around the fire pit. What more could you ask?
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This project is an entrant in the Outdoor Design 2022 NSW Landscaper of the Year Awards, celebrating residential design innovation and construction excellence. All entrants were featured in Outdoor Design Issue 42, with winners to be announced in Outdoor Design Issue 43.
