We recently transformed a backyard in Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula into a low maintenance outdoor oasis. Our busy client wanted a garden design and backyard landscape that she could enjoy and entertain guests, that was easy to maintain and complemented her existing landscape. The landscape construction consisted of a wrap around retaining wall with drainage, steps to the upper level, steel edging to define garden beds, exposed aggregate concrete slab to entertain and a feature batten privacy screen with gate. A fire pit area became the focal point of the landscape design with two custom built large bench seats, a corten steel fire pit bowl and wood stacker and corten ring garden bed frames. Low maintenance and beautiful succulents were planted in the corten rings. Dromana toppings and Indian sand stone pavers were chosen to create that relaxed coastal vibe. Our client loves her new outdoor garden and entertaining area and so do we. Our client in Langwarrin had purchased her unit in Langwarrin just over a year ago and wanted an outdoor landscape that was low maintenance, usable and aesthetically pleasing. This project was completed in collaboration with Genus Landscape Architects who designed the new outdoor space. The rest was left to us! With a small outdoor courtyard, our client wanted to maximise the useable space to entertain her friends, whilst also hiding the existing utilities such as the hot water system and pump. With a desire for a healthy garden, the job involved removing over 4.5 cubic metres of soil. treating the remaining soil and bringing in the replacement soil in through the garage door, the only backyard access point. A new merbau deck was constructed to provide a platform area that flowed from the back sliding door. Steel edging was used to create flow and shape to the garden bed, whilst also providing a border to keep the garden toppings contained. Australian natives were chosen for their low maintenance and natural appeal. Our client also wanted to include lavender as one of the many plant varieties. Reo mesh was used to create a screen on the fence and Lady Di Climber was planted which will provide a beautiful green screen with pretty white flowers. Other plant varieties included Kangaroo Paw and low lying creepers. Organic blended mulch was used as the covering and a drip line irrigation was installed to support healthy plant growth. Simple and natural paths were created using Honeycomb Blue Stone Pavers and Bairnsdale Toppings. An laser cut corten steel screen was mounted around the existing hot water service to hide the utility and a box was constructed over the existing hot water pump under the merbau deck. Another screen will be mounted against the brick wall and lights installed for a feature wall effect in the near future. Our client loves her new outdoor space and looks forward to inviting friends over to them entertain outdoors. Before Photos Progress Photo After Photos
We recently created a front yard landscape makeover for a property in Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Our clients wanted to create a transformation that was low-maintenance whilst also complementing their existing landscape design. When we first met with our clients their front yard had a large hedge which they found to be high maintenance and was not adding any extra appeal or use to their front yard. The hedge was approximately 1.5 metres wide and created privacy for our clients, but the existing grass on their front yard wasn't growing and their current drive-way was quite narrow so they didn't have much space when reversing their car from the garage. The goal of the project was to create a private court-yard garden that our clients could enjoy. After the hedge was removed. The old grass was removed and a front paling fence was constructed with cyprus posts to create privacy. Front fence completed Turf-blend topping was laid to level out the ground and create a healthy foundation for the fresh grass turf to grow. A planter box was also constructed around the existing garden to help define the area. Fresh Sir-Buffalo Grass being laid Before and After Sir-Walter Buffalo Grass was laid Quality steel edging was constructed around the existing garden to help contain the mulch toppings and create a neat boarder. Fresh mulch was also laid throughout the gardens and and the grass was topped with new soil in the joins which new grass will grow through. The new fence was painted. You can also see in the photo below how the drive-way was widened using Lilydale topping crushed rock. Our clients loved the finished look and have had friends also comment on how great their new private court-yard garden looks!
We recently completed a front and backyard landscape design and construction transformation for a new home in Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Our clients had a small backyard but big ideas on transforming this outdoor space into something they would love and use regularly. The backyard had an existing back fence and a small deck already constructed, but the backyard sloped downwards and the space was unusable. The first step was to construct a retaining wall across the whole back boundary fence and part way along the side boundary fence. This would provide a wall to build up and level the existing free space in the backyard. A box retaining wall was constructed to provide a space to house the clients Thin Tanks (www.thintanks.com.au) and plumbing. The tanks were positioned in ground to hide the plumbing equipment and view for our clients and surrounding properties. The backyard was back filled with soil to create a level backyard ready for the next phase. The side boundary fence was also prepared by installing upright posts and then attaching the palings. The fence was 1.9 meters high on our clients side. With the backyard levelled and fence constructed, we extended the existing deck out by an extra board to ensure the decking covered a previously laid protruding concrete slab. We extended the deck vertically by constructing a merbau screen to create a beautiful flow on effect. Sand stone crazy paving steppers were laid along the side of the house. We had a lot of rain during this project which is one of the challenges of landscaping through the winter months. Our goal is always to minimise projects getting messy and sometimes that means holding off construction on very wet days. Overall we were happy with the level of mud created during the project. The sand stone crazy pavers were surrounded with 20mm gold beach pebbles. During the construction process the fence was painted by our client. Fence height extenders were also installed to increase privacy in the backyard. The astro turf was installed which created a WOW effect in the backyard. Our clients are huge golf fans and play regularly so it was an easy and brilliant idea to turn their small backyard space into a golf putting green. Two lengths of synthetic grass turf were installed and blended to create a natural golf putting green effect. We think the Thin Tanks ( www.thintanks.com.au) are a brilliant idea. And for a little bit extra you can get the vertical planter pockets install which are a great way to hide the tanks and add extra plants to a small space backyard. You can fill the planters with your favourite plants or even create an outdoor herb garden. With the Thin Tanks in place and the plumbing connected, we only had to install stepper pavers in front of the Thin Tanks and surround them with 20mm sunset rock which was also placed at the bottom of the tanks and along the other side boundary fence. With the backyard complete and looking fantastic, we then moved on to the front-yard of this Mornington property. Our clients wanted to create a front courtyard that was low-maintenance but still looked great. The front yard and home entrance is the first things people notice when they arrive. Having great curb appeal can really add value to your home and is a wise investment. We loved that our clients wanted to create a unique and creative landscape design. We first constructed a retained box which would become a planter box for the small front courtyard. Framing for a new front fence was constructed by installing one sleeper across the bottom and 4 vertical posts along which would hold the new horizontal aluminium slats to be installed. The new fence will be 1.5metres high and allow for partial viewing into the front court yard. The area was then prepared for paving. 50mm thick granitic sand pavers were laid in a staggered creative paving layout. These pavers are concrete with a granitic sand finish. 14mm white and cream pebbles were placed around the paving. The client has chosen to plant his own plants around the pavers and in the planter box along the border of the courtyard space. Our client loved the paving design and so did we! A thin retaining wall planter box was also constructed along the drive-way and filled in with the 14mm white and cream pebbles. Small plants will also be planted along this short fence line to add some colour to the space. Lastly the front nature strip was levelled out and topped with soil then seeded.
Our clients loved their front and back transformation and look forward to enjoying more time outdoors! We recently completed landscaping for two brand new properties in Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula. Side by side these two properties only had mud and dirt, but were finished with a complete landscape design and construction. Both properties had different owners, one was looking to sell and the other would be a rental. Both owners wanted a low-maintenance garden design with quality concreting in the front and back. Property A. Charcoal colour crete was used to concrete the drive-way and garden beds were constructed. Weed matting was laid and topped with black mulch. Our clients chose to plant their own plants. The front yard was seeded and with all the rain should grow well in no time. This home is now ready to sell!! Property B. Exposed aggregate concreting was laid in this drive-way and a low-maintenance rock garden design was implemented. The retained garden beds were constructed and weed mat was laid, topped with river pebbles to create a low-maintenance garden design for this rental property. Drought tolerant plants were chosen that could survive in the clay soil present in the area. Our client wanted to have native plants in the garden and so we chose a contemporary style of landscaping and included plants that would soften the rock garden and create a visual impact from the street. Electric Pink Cordyline were planted to give the garden a focal point and create an instant sculptural statement to the garden design. These plants are low-maintenance and in time will clump, creating a stylish contrast to the brick work and rock garden. We added this small plant with the commercial name Silver Nugget. This silver cushion bush is very hardy and will grow to a 50x50cm clump. This beauty is great for coastal areas and in time will make a striking contrast to the garden design with its silver foliage and tiny yellow button flowers in spring. With low water requirements these nuggets are perfect! The front garden design was completed with 4 x Lime Tuff from the Lomandra species which are a bright green native grass, have low water needs and will grow to 50cm wide. We also added three red fountain grasses, a native know as Pennisetum setaceum "Rubrum". This beauty has burgundy coloured foliage and will bear pink flower spikes in the summer months creating bold and dramatic colour to the rock garden. Out the back The back of the house will be kept tidy and mud free with pebbles and square pavers. The backyard was laid with exposed aggregate concreting and a wrap around garden bed was constructed with a wood platform landing. This small courtyard landscape design is perfect for entertaining friends, just add a table and bbq to finish it off. Out the back we planted more Lime Tuff grasses and 3 bright green cushion like plants known as "Scleranthus biflorus". Along the fence we also planted some "Everygreen Baby" and "Patersonia- long purple flag" along the fence. The tenants to this house will be very lucky! We want to wish both our clients all the very best on these two homes. We definitely had fun working in the wet, rain and mud!! We recently transformed a small backyard space that was over growing with weeds to a lovely low-maintenance courtyard landscape design for our clients in Mornington. Our clients main objective was to have an outdoor space that was tidy and easy to maintain. This great space has good morning and afternoon sun, and the soil constitutes of about 200mm of top soil and below that is clay. A wrap around raised garden bed was constructed then filled with river pebbles and drought tolerant plants that are easy to look after. The centre space was cleared and laid down with synthetic grass which is a great solution for a low-maintenance and beautiful lawn. Our client was delighted with the end result and can't wait to start enjoying that great afternoon sun in his new courtyard. Before Photos
We recently transformed our clients side yard into a private and low-maintenance personal sanctuary in Mornington. The original vision for the area was to create a space with - Low levels of direct sunlight to safe guard our client against strong sun rays - Low maintenance garden and lawn - Greater privacy as one of the fences was adjacent to a walk-way - A feeling of a personal and private sanctuary, but also large enough to host family and friends The solution to our clients vision was -Removal of the old pergola and replace it with a new, larger pergola -To construct a second pergola large enough to provide shade for a large lounge suite -Laying down synthetic grass which is low maintenance, visually attractive and looks and feels real -To build a wrap around raised garden bed with drought tolerant plants -Insert bamboo screens for added privacy and visual aesthetics -Insert a low-maintenance water feature to enhance the spaces tranquil feel Overall the project went as planned and now our client has a fresh slate to add his personal touch. Our client can't wait to sit on his lounge and gain inspiration for his writing. We love landscaping on the Mornington Peninsula and love creating a special outdoor space for our clients to relax in. Before photos Construction photos After photos
We recently built a new deck and created new access to the backyard for a property at Moonah Links Golf Course, in Rye. The outdoor area consisted of a sunk-in courtyard and our client wanted to be more elevated to enjoy the great views of the course. Our goal was to create a platform deck that flowed more naturally from the outdoor paved area, whilst still maintaining a slight sunk-in courtyard feel.
There was no access to the back of the property and out onto the golf course. We create a neat path and used AA Grade Recycled Sleepers to built natural looking steps to complement the property and natural surroundings. A side deck platform was also built adjacent to the larger deck so that our client could use his BBQ in a more open space and cook out in the open nature. The side deck platform also created more space so that the BBQ and cooking area wasn't impinging on the dinning area. Our client was delighted with the transformation and has more plans currently in place for a new pool. Stay tuned to see the finished transformation. |