HGGARDENS

146 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

G

ardensaredynamicplaces.Iftherewas

time-lapse footage of Antra Lanskis’

garden,itwouldrevealaconstantstate

of metamorphosis over the past 18 years,

reflecting the journey of her family’s life

intheirinner-cityMelbournehome.

“The garden has evolved with each stage of our

children’slives,”saysAntra,aninteriordesigner

whorunsherbusiness,Taupeology,fromthehome

sheshareswithherhusband,Andy,andchildren

Maxime,22,andMia,19.Acubbyhouse,trampoline

andinnumerablesoccerballshaveallhadtheirplace

here.“Then,whenbothkidswereintheirteens,about

sixyearsago,wewerereadyforachange,”saysAntra.

Antra’soriginalideawastocreatezonesthatcould

accommodatetwogenerations.“Wewantedafirepit

zone,abarbecuearea,anoutdoordiningspaceand

a lounge area,” she says. “Different spaces so young

peopleandadultscouldenjoythegardenatsame

time,separately.”AntraturnedtoAmandaOliver

Gardens to help with the spatial planning. >

ABOVE LEFTThe sidepath isfringed by prettyStachysbyzantina

(lambs’ ears) andAgave attenuata.The white trunk of asilver birch

pops against the charcoal fence.

ABOVERIGHTAclimbing fig,Ficus pumila,carpets the brick wall

at the entrance and appears to emerge from a weathered pot.

OPPOSITEclockwise from top leftPlectranthus oertendahlii,

a shade-loving groundcover. At the front gate, a hedge oflillypilly

has beenclipped into an archway. Thebeautiful foliagecolours

of Boston ivy. Berries ona crepe myrtle. Antra revamped the top of

thisold steel table with iridescent mosaic tiles. A hammock swings

between themature Seville orange tree and a jacaranda. Delicate

Echium spires. Grey-greenStachys leaves.

‘Ihaveastrongsenseofline,shape,

proportion and colour. If I’m sitting

insideandIseeatreebranchpulling

thewholelookoutofbalance,

I’m straight outside, styling with

secateurs.’Antra Lanskis