Coastal Coastal Creations Landscaping completed a country landscaping project for a new home build in Merricks Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. Working in collaboration with Genus Landscape Architects, the landscape design was inspired by formal native gardens and clean lines through the landscape construction. A few creative touches were added to create interest including the jagged edge hardwood fire pit area, staggered hardwood sleeper path and jagged steel edging on the lawn.

The property was a clean slate after the home build, and the first step was to create structure and stability around the home by moving soil back from the home, building a retaining wall, steps, and levelling out gravel paths. A dry creek river bed was created and planted with natives to provide drainage and create space between the laid turf and wild grass. Sir Walter Buffalo grass was used for the turf. 

The pool area was paved and a rock garden was planted around the pool. Hardwood sleepers were used to build a path along the front of the home, and these sleepers were laid using a staggered effect.  Steel edging was used to create strong clean lines that separated the garden beds from the paths and turf. Hardwood sleepers were laid and pinned in concrete to build a fire pit area at the front of the home. Coastal Creations Landscaping constructed two bench seats made out of 200x200 cyprus posts and another bench seat positioned at the top of the sleeper pathway. 

We are sure our clients will enjoy many hours having a nice cold drink, sitting on their benches, watching the sun go down, or gazing into their fire pit.   

Our experience working with reclaimed timber on this project has been a sneaky double edged sword. But, being tenacious and like every great story, this project was triumphant against the many challenges faced by our skilled craftsmen in working with a timber that was over 120 years old. The excitement and enthusiasm to create a unique outdoor setting that had beautiful appeal and history for our great clients in Frankston South, was easily counteracted by the challenges and frustrations uncovered when dealing with the imperfections of reclaimed timber. But the timber had years left in her, and we were up for the challenge to transform the Douglas Fir timber into chic outdoor furniture that complemented their existing pool landscaping. 

What were the challenges you may ask? Well, these 5 pieces of Douglas Fir timber were carefully selected by our clients but it took us over 7 hours to remove nails and screws embedded in the timber once upon a time when it acted as floor joists. After having the timber pieces milled and squared, all the hidden imperfections were now clearly visible, including burn marks and oil stains, which can cause reaction with sealants and vanish. And we did come across some annoying reactions during the curing process. But with persistence these challenges were overcome.

Our clients vision for the outdoor setting was to create an outdoor table and bench that had a distressed look with a white base to match their existing outdoor furniture. We got to work to first bog up the little holes in the timber, then painted the timber with weather shield white paint. Next our handy work came in by lightly hand sanding the timber to achieve a distressed and weathered look. Six coats of marine grade high gloss varnish were applied to all sides of the timber to seal and protect the surface from the outdoor elements. Time was needed to allow the coatings to cure and the weather played a big part in choosing the right days to paint due to humidity and heat. 

DBG Engineering created the curved frames our clients were after and Kev's Powercoating & Sandblasting gave the steel a sleek black finish for an industrial look. The steel legs also nicely complemented the corten steel panels in the home's landscape design.

The table and bench seats were delivered just in time for an outdoor family event. We were  very  happy to finally send this project off to our clients, and our clients love the final result!
Thank-you to all of our great suppliers on the Mornington Peninsula. The outdoor furniture now glows with appeal and entices enjoyment, just like the liquid gold produced from the old Cartlon United Brewery which the timber was reclaimed from. 

Before photos
​