WHEN YOU LIVE ON A SMALL INNER-CITY BLOCK, every square metre of space counts
- inside and out. And it was with this in mind that landscape designer Frances Hale from
Melbourne-based studio Peachy Green set about creating this charming courtyard garden
for her client, George Fortey from NTF Architecture. “It was important to maximise the area
we had and create as many layers and textures of lush, loose, leafy garden as we could,”
she says. Careful consideration went into plant selection: Gleditsia ‘Shademaster’ trees
act as a feature and provide dappled shade, while their lime-green foliage pops against
the dark stained-timber exterior; dichondra repens ground cover provides spongy contrast
against the bluestone stepping stones; and Boston ivy (parthenocissus tricuspidata) curls
its way around the pergola, up the walls and towards the front door, to soften the concrete
facade. The finished space also encompasses a paved area with built-in seating, barbecue
and clothes line, a herb garden and rainwater tank. “Despite the small footprint, it shows
that with careful consideration and clever integration, a family of four plus pooch can have
everything they need to live with comfort and ease in a minimal space,” Frances says. R
For more, visit Peachygreen.com.au or follow @peachygreen on Instagram.
Numero uno Who says house numbers need to be pedestrian? This rounded version wrapped in ivy is a feature of the home’s entry. Step this way Permeable
natural bluestone steppers lead up to the light blue front door, a signature shade of the owner-architect’s. Growth spurt Mixed natives and exotics grow in harmony
amid the timber, steel and stone (opposite), including silvery lamb’s ear (stachys byzantia) and white correa (correa alba) hedging pruned into balls.Matt steel in
Monument, Colorbond.3 exterior looks
Axon Grained cladding
in Colorbond Jasper
(13.3cm), Scyon.SlimWall fencing,
ModularWalls.text
stephanie hope |
photography
dave kulesza |
project design
ntf architecture
landscape designpeachy greenreal livingoutside