Of modern design, this striking Greek Islands-style garden was made for entertaining friends or relaxing with the family
Can you imagine anything better than gathering with friends in the sunken lounge area, the wood-burning fireplace ablaze? Or how about kicking back in the poolside cabana, chatting to family members as they cool down in the swimming pool? If large-scale entertaining was on the agenda, there is no doubt whatsoever that you would make a beeline for the expansive outdoor entertaining area, with room for both dining and lounging spaces. Thanks to the creativity and skill of Justin Dibble, Principal Designer and Director of Fluid Design, the owners of this outdoor haven have all of these options at their fingertips every day. Boasting a restrained colour palette and of minimalistic style, the design is very modern but incorporates elements of the Aegean to create a Greek Islands-style garden.
“The large outdoor entertaining area is the family’s social hub. It has a roomy outdoor lounge and a large dining table that is supplemented with pull-up stool seating to the breakfast-bar-style bench that forms part of the built-in outdoor kitchen,” says Justin. “The kitchen is equipped with a barbecue, rangehood, sink, fridge and storage cupboards, and there is a weatherproof TV mounted on the wall. Both dining and lounge areas have great views of the pool.”
Directly across from the dining area, beckoning on the other side of the pool, is the cabana. To the side of the pool is the sunken lounge area. Both provide a covered space where the family can relax or guests can take it easy after a brisk swim or a tasty barbecued meal.
The slope of the block did present a challenge, but one that Justin turned to best advantage. “We needed quite high retaining walls alongside the pool but to make the space feel bright and open, we used white render. This also adds to the Greek Islands vibe which became an asset to the overall look and feel of the backyard and pool area,” says Justin.
The silver travertine paving used around the pool and elsewhere in the garden adds to the light, airy feel as does the frameless glass pool fencing with stainless steel spigots. The glass fencing also allows the pool to be viewed from all angles.
The well-considered planting palette includes a Murraya hedge that stretches along the fence line and uplit ornamental pears set into the lawn. In the pool area, on the daybed island, there is a feature dragon tree set in a low white bowl. There is slender weaver’s bamboo behind the pool cabana to hide the house to the rear and a mature frangipani set into the raised garden alongside the built-in cantilevered concrete bench seat that borders the lawn.
This is a garden that shows you just what might be possible if you dare to imagine.
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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.
