A cosy sunken fire pit zone provides a private space in which to unwind.
The rear garden of this home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore contains a rather delightful secret — a secluded hideaway in which the owners can relax, entertain and feel connected to nature. Carved into a series of outdoor living spaces, this alfresco retreat makes excellent use of the sloping site and has totally transformed what was once a shaded, lacklustre backyard.
Built by Sand & Stone Landscapes, under the guidance of director Luke Roodenburg, the garden was co-designed by Luke and landscape architect Annabelle Drew. Having recently renovated their home, the owners wanted to upgrade both their front and rear gardens, ensuring they complemented the architectural style of the residence and catered for their lifestyle needs.
“In the rear garden, the goal was to create different outdoor living zones: a lounge area, a space for dining and a fire pit zone with seating,” says Luke. “The sunken fire pit area, which takes advantage of the site’s natural slope, is connected to the upper level by sandstone steps. Reclaimed sandstone was used for the curved built-in seating that encircles the fire pit, giving the impression that it has been there forever.”
Central to the gravel terrace that adjoins the rear of the house is a well-established, 40-year-old jacaranda tree retained from the old garden. The tree provides summer shade for the lounge area and hanging chair suspended from its sturdy branches.
“This is a very relaxed, informal landscape with sweeping curves, engaging textural elements, and planting that is luxuriant and layered,” says Luke. “It also features soft garden lighting to ensure the spaces really come to life after the sun sets. Ultimately, the owners wanted us to create a feeling of being in a private sanctuary and that is precisely what we have done.”
In the front garden, the owners’ brief was to create street appeal, give visitors a real sense of arrival and complement the home’s facade. Luke and his team installed a curved path of Eco Outdoor Pacific bluestone batons, laid in a herringbone pattern, and flanked it with a mix of deciduous and low-lying evergreen plants.
This captivating project has already been the recipient of an award. In 2022, it took top honours in the Residential Construction $50,000-$100,000 category of the Landscape Excellence Awards, hosted by The Landscape Association. The judges of the awards said they were impressed by the “superb execution and the meticulous attention to detail throughout”. They also commended Sand & Stone for its skilled use of native plantings and natural materials.
Since starting the company in 2010, Luke and his team have transformed hundreds of outdoor spaces across Sydney. By adopting a collaborative approach and working closely with clients, Sand & Stone Landscapes is able to create individually tailored gardens and achieve the kind of quality you see here.
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