DESIGNER GARDENS

DESIGNER GARDENS

lace of
enchantment
Inspired by the iconic architecture
of the 1960s, this captivating
design is an award winner

From the large sculpture

to the pavilion, the colour
scheme relies on crisp,
clean white for impact.

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OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

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DESIGNER GARDENS

DESIGNER GARDENS

WORDS: Karen Booth PHOTOS: Peter Brennan

aptivated by the architecture of
the mid-20th century, designer
Peta Donaldson of Natural
Design decided to interweave
some design threads from
this iconic period with
complementary contemporary
elements to create an
enthralling entertaining space.
The garden, which Peta called The Pavilion and
designed for the 2014 Australian Garden Show Sydney, is
carved into four distinct spaces: the entrance, pavilion,
pool and lawn. Each serves its own purpose yet the
landscape comes together seamlessly to create a
functional and sociable garden, explains Peta. The
entrance stimulates curiosity, she continues. This is
achieved by a series of custom floating concrete steps that
provides a gradual passage towards the elevated pavilion.
The pavilion, set within garden beds of layered planting,
is what Peta describes as the heart of the garden. From
its elevated position, you can sit in comfort and take in the
entire garden, day or night, rain or shine.
While the furnishings within the pavilion are sparse, this
does not mean the space feels cold or Spartan. This is a
warm and luxurious space, an effect that is further enhanced
by a suspended stainless-steel fireplace, says Peta.
The circular plunge pool, its external walls clad in
shimmering glass mosaic tiles, adds another dimension
to the space. Designed to fulfill a dual destiny that of a
pool where guests can interact and a large-scale water

The neutral colour

palette allows the lush
planting to become a
prominent feature
feature it adds a dash of subtle colour to offset the
gardens otherwise all-white colour palette.
A circular opening was created in the pavilion roof
directly over the plunge pool, allowing natural light into
the space. This helps draw the eye to the ceiling of the
pavilion, which is clad in Glosswood white lining boards
from the 3D Designer Profile series. These lining boards
work in harmony with the feature wall (comprised of white
polyurethane 3D panels in Lump Sculpture Studios Fish
Scales pattern), concrete paving and brickwork.
Peta paid particular attention to the selection of different
yet compatible hard textures, which she then softened with
lush vegetation. The hardscaping textures throughout the
garden create visual amusement while the neutral colour
palette allows the lush planting to become a prominent
feature, says Peta. The plants were selected for their
strength in foliage texture, shape and form, essentially
promoting a verdant and calm setting.
The final flourish is a large white mid-20th centuryinspired sculpture, Tricycle, from Lump Sculpture Studio.
This garden, which was built by Green Art Gardens and
Andrews Edwards Landscaping, won a silver medal at the
2014 Australian Garden Show Sydney.

TOP LEFT Glosswood 3D Designer Profile lining boards give the pavilion ceiling a fresh and modern look.
FAR LEFT By choosing white for the built elements, the lush plant life is brought more clearly into focus.
LEFT Built by Australian Plunge Pools, the raised circular pool performs double duty as a water feature.
ABOVE The pavilion is furnished with a Cocoon Aeris fireplace and Trio furniture, from top3 by design.

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