Backyard and Outdoor Living

If you are lucky enough to have a backyard, don’t waste it. Make sure you do something special with it. If you’ve got the space, why not make it your own and add personality to it? The right finishing touches can really draw people into your outdoor

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) announced the winners of the 2018 Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards at an event in Brisbane in June this year. The awards acknowledged 28 winners over 12 categories, celebrating leading p

When designing their gardens, many people take inspiration from their favourite holiday destination. That might be a resort in some far-flung location or it might well be somewhere closer to home, like Byron Bay in New South Wales. Burrowed deep with

WORDS & PHOTOS: SANDRA TUSZYNSKA Danny and his wife Carolyn have lived near Murgon in south-east Queensland for 15 years. Both have a passion for art; while Carolyn loves to draw and paint, Danny creates installations for the garden using recycled ma

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Ensuring an easy flow from inside to out is always a priority when designing a garden, as is capturing pleasing vistas that can be enjoyed when looking out from the home. Such was the case with this renovated Californian bungalow,

WORDS & PHOTOS: SANDRA TUSZYNSKA Benarkin Primary State School, near Blackbutt, an hour-and-a-half north-west of Brisbane, has had a gardening program for eight years now involving an average of 24 students in classes K–6. This beautiful and resource

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH PHOTOS: PETER BRENNAN The concept of the “she shed” — an outdoor studio for the woman of the house — is rapidly gaining favour. This garden, designed by Olaf von Sperl from Adore My Garden, has a “she shed” that has already gained

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH A steeply sloping block may be a challenge, but it also presents an opportunity to create something truly amazing. The owners of this property looked to Nathan Boutros of Iconic Design & Landscaping to take the previously inaccessi

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH The entertaining spot includes a drinks bar with an integrated barbecue cooktop, sink and fridge. Gardens with a compelling classical undertone are always in favour. There is something timeless about them and they have a restrained

When it comes to your backyard, blending style and practicality is of utmost importance. This incredible home in Pauanui, New Zealand, by Jessop Architects is anything but your average outdoor space. It provides ample room for entertaining, while the

Every so often a product comes along that we didn’t know we desperately needed. And that’s exactly what LinkTap gave us when it introduced its smart wireless water timer to the market. If you are looking for a powerful yet easy-to-use garden water ti

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Within the garden space, structure is irrefutably significant in embedding a house within its environment. An existing mass of lawn was all that softened this home in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Malvern. The house was positioned

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Overflowing with plants and skilfully carved into a series of intriguing spaces, this rooftop garden is a place of sanctuary, which is rather surprising given its elevated and exposed position. Designed by BENT Architecture and bui

WORDS: JENNIFER STACKHOUSE The common name you use for Capsicum annuum is an indicator of where you grew up. In Australia they are known as capsicums, but in many other parts of the world they’re referred to as peppers, bell peppers or even sweet chi

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH To feel well, you need to eat well — and there is nothing as important to our health as a diet rich in fresh, healthy veggies, herbs and fruit. The best way to have a ready supply of nutrient-rich seasonal edibles is to grow your o

For instant tropical or resort-style appeal, it’s hard to go past the allure of bamboo screening. Whether you’ve gone for a Balinese-themed backyard or just want to add a touch of the exotic to your garden, bamboo screening is the ideal choice. Bambo

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Mention the French Riviera and thoughts turn to people lazing on Mediterranean beaches, a crystal-blue sky overhead and luxury yachts moored nearby. Places like St Tropez and Cannes come to mind, as do luxury resorts with swimming

Outdoor areas are as much about eating as they are socialising, so you’ll need to allow for both activities. The Pizzaiolo wood-fired pizza oven is not only a superb cooking facility, it’s also a classic garden feature and an entertainment unit all i

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Imagine settling into the comfy embrace of a deep-seated modular outdoor lounge, a designer rug beneath your feet, stylish scatter cushions at your back and a coffee table before you. Or how about sidling up to a good friend on a b

When it comes to garden edging, you need a product that is strong, versatile and weather resistant — and you can’t get anything that fits the bill better than steel. The FormBoss range of no-maintenance steel garden edging lets you be the boss of you

WORDS: MATT LEACY PHOTOS: JASON BUSCH There’s no doubt the backyard gets a lot more use during the warmer months. You can create a safe and engaging outdoor space that not only looks great, but that kids can enjoy throughout the holidays and beyond.

When it comes to trees, a decision in haste can lead to a lifetime of regret. Many trees grow more beautiful generation after generation. Others have the potential to create decades of trouble, dropping messy fruit or bothersome sticks. So take your

WORDS: JENNIFER STACKHOUSE Ripe dragon fruit are as spectacular as the mouse melon is cute: hot pink with lime-green scales. When cut open, the contrast between the pink outer skin and white flesh peppered with tiny black seeds is striking. Because o

Whatever conditions summer deals out, we all crave some simple solutions to help grow fantastic, healthy gardens and lawns. We also aim to minimise the effects adverse weather conditions have on our backyards. Earthlife, a company based in Toowoomba,

WORDS: JENNIFER STACKHOUSE Roses are usually grown for their flowers. Good gardeners regularly prune away spent rose flowers to keep the plants in bloom from spring to autumn. However, if the flowers are left on the plant, many go on to form a fruit

Having a lush green lawn is basically the Australian dream. With weekend barbecues and kids’ parties on the go, and that feeling of walking around barefoot on the grass, the benefits of having a beautiful green lawn might seem endless — and that’s be

Timber provides a way to enhance any home or garden, as well as a commercial or retail property. Hardwood timber can be used to create comfortable, attractive and flexible features ranging from internal flooring to outside decking and beams. When ren

WORDS & PHOTOS: CLAIRE BICKLE If it’s not the insect population or four-legged marsupials, it’s some plant disease or virus attacking your prize edibles and floral delights in the garden. What are the key problems we have to deal with at this time, a

Do it tough and do it right — that’s how the team at Tufright get things done, with a superior and environmentally friendly range of composite decking and cladding. As well as loving the earth, Tufright products are durable, non-slip and moisture and

WORDS: MEGG MILLER Lots of people adore ducks. They love their daffy behaviour, comical gait and irrepressible delight in water play. Ducks are not for everyone, though, especially people living in densely packed inner cities. But if you admire their

Autumn and winter are the times when Camellia sasanqua is flowering. These versatile camellias are perfect in full sun or shade, tolerant of heat and cold and available in a wide range of colours from pure white through to deep pinks and reds, includ

WORDS & PHOTOS: DIANE CRAWFORD • A good-quality potting mix should be the only medium you use for planting. Garden soil is not the right blend for pots or containers and therefore should not be used. Always read the recommendations on the bag. • Liqu

“A mandala is a tool for spirituality, one th at helps its user create a sacred space” WORDS: ALEXANDRA LONGSTAFF PHOTOS: HUISE TEN BOSCH An outdoor space that so effortlessly provides a feeling of harmony to its visitors is a special thing. Built in

WORDS & PHOTOS: DIANE CRAWFORD The part of the potato plant we eat is familiar — an ovalshaped, thin-skinned, pitted tuber — but the top growth of the plant may not be so recognisable. It grows to around 75cm high and 45cm wide with rigid, slightly h

Greenhouses are designed to provide a controlled horticultural environment where you can adjust the temperature and humidity. This allows you to grow plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and herbs with ease. The beauty of greenhouses is that

WORDS: DANIELLE TOWNSEND PHOTOS: PETER JANUSIK It’s difficult to believe that this reinvigorated outdoor space was once a completely overgrown courtyard with an existing pool that had become a duck pond due to broken plumbing. “The space that we face

Have you ever taken a bite from an organic or homegrown vegetable and thought how different it tastes from the produce at the supermarket? There’s no doubt commercial fruit and vegetables have lost flavour and quality over the years, but you don’t ha

The Serralunga 1825 collection of pots reinterprets the humble plastic pot through the use of colours, iconic shapes and natural finishing touches. The collection is lightweight, UV and impact resistant, non-toxic and suitable for interior and exteri

WORDS: APRIL OSSINGTON With the perfect mix of greenery and built environment, this striking project in New Zealand fulfilled the clients’ dream for the ultimate outdoor kitchen, dining and entertainment area. The project was a collaboration between

There’s no doubt that the backyard, outdoor room, patio, courtyard or whatever you want to call it has taken centre stage in recent years. It’s no longer the afterthought of a renovation or new build but an extension of indoor living spaces — a place

The extreme temperatures we’ve experienced during summer this year will have done a lot of damage to gardens around Australia. With some areas experiencing very little rain and temperatures of more than 35 degrees, there’s no doubt the strain on our

WORDS: APRIL OSSINGTON PHOTOS: PETA NORTH “A house should look like it’s been planted in the garden,” says Janine Mendel, landscape designer and owner of CultivArt Landscape Design. “Create a great structure but don’t forget about the plants because

The hottest trend for outdoor spaces is inc orporating a modern structure to really give the area that wow factor. Teaming pergolas and pavilions with impressive combinations of plants can really transform a space, adding both interest and function.

WORDS: CARROL BAKER You can grow most things from seed, including perennials, annuals, vegetables, fruits, trees, vines and shrubs. There are many good reasons to grow plants from seeds: it connects you to nature, it teaches you to be more self-suffi

What could be more romantic than a lazy swing in a soft pretty hammock? This resortstyle hammock is made from soft lightweight cotton, with interwoven crocheted tassels and double-braided hangers. It has a quirky boho vibe. The soft breathable cotton

WORDS & PHOTOS: DIANE CRAWFORD Other common names: Indian cress, monks cress Parts used: Leaves, buds and flowers particularly for their peppery taste Harvest and storing: Harvest flower buds, flowers and young leaves in the cool of the morning Uses:

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Sometimes garden lighting is a bit of an afterthought. A lot of care goes into choosing the paving, plants and pots but how much attention is paid to what should be illuminated and what type of fittings are used — let alone importa

WORDS & PHOTOS: PETER SHAW When we opened our own garden to the public a couple of years ago through Open Gardens Australia we watched to see what people gravitated to. The answer was unexpected and it made me think a lot more about the relationship

"When planning an outdoor area, carefully consider how much time and effort you want to put into th e maintenance" WORDS: ALEXANDRA LONGSTAFF Your outdoor area is as much a part of your home as the rooms inside. A beautifully crafted outdoor space ca

WORDS: CHLOE THOMSON When you compare the different appearances of the many brassica varieties, it’s hard to believe that cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard greens and even Asian leafy greens all originate from the same w

WORDS & PHOTOS: JAMIE MCILWRAITH A few weeks ago an old gardening friend phoned me, asking at one point, “What are you growing this year?” She’s someone who really knows our garden, because we’re always fooling around with new plants, especially new

WORDS: SUNNY DE BRUYN Regardless of which type of wood you choose, always make sure it is ethically sourced. This means it needs to have been harvested from sustainable, managed plantation forests — not precious old-wood forests or rainforests in cou

WORDS: APRIL OSSINGTON PHOTOS: KEVIN QUELCH Landscape design is all about making a space more usable and, of course, more beautiful in the process and there’s no doubt this property in Bardwell Valley, NSW required more than a little TLC. “When the h

WORDS & PHOTOS: MEGG MILLER If you’re bowled over by the beauty of fowls and want to keep hens with different plumage patterns and colours, you cannot go past Wyandottes. They are fowls with coats of many colours. It’s likely you will find all the pl

WORDS: MATT LEACY Not all ceramic, porcelain or cement tiles are suitable for outdoor areas. While there are manufacturing standards, not all tiles meet international standards. Tile products are generally wear-rated from low to high (1–5). Be sure t

WORDS: ROSS BOYLE Turf experts recommend lawn treatments as early as autumn to avoid a repeat of summer’s bindii invasion. Throughout 2016, Australians have trodden on more bindiis than usual due to wet conditions followed by quick changes in the wea

WORDS: NICOLE MULLOY Adding character and style to your outdoor space can be achieved with authentic natural stone. The matchless variations of colour and texture within stone will provide a classic look to outdoor areas that is visually interesting

WORDS & PHOTOS: DIANE CRAWFORD • Wooden numbers (available from craft shops, hardware stores or you can carve your own) • Tile to stick the numbers/letters on • Short piece of dowel (timber rod) • Weathershield or enamel paint • Ceramic tile primer •