A small but mighty Mediterranean courtyard packs a punch
Q: What was the dream?
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: We wanted to create a little Mediterranean oasis with deep day-bed style seating, a BBQ entertaining area and a very much-needed outdoor shower area that our family could relax in after daily surfs throughout the year. Bondi Beach is a busy residential area, so a private, secluded enclave was a priority. After some very friendly discussion with our neighbours on 3 sides, we were given the green light to increase our fence heights, creating an almost perfectly private area.
Q: How did you achieve the look of this wall?
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: We approached the wall like an art piece, it had to look and feel like an original centuries old wall from our reference images. We chose every piece of stone for its colour, shape and texture, and carefully placed it to achieve a stone-stacked artisan look. After much discussion we decided on Savoca and Crackenback Freeform. Savoca has an amazing shimmer and instantly reminds us of the Mediterranean. Its stunning quartz quality has a rugged rocky texture. Crackenback has an off-white sandstone colour and a flatter shape, which is easier to handle and not as heavy. Together they just worked.โฏ
"Savoca has an amazing shimmer and instantly reminds us of the Mediterranean. Crackenback has an off-white sandstone colour a flatter shape. Together they just worked."
We chose richly coloured cotto in two formats to create window arches and random patterns to make it feel like the walls were restored using old, mismatched materials. The elongated Arrotato cotto bricks helped finish the top of the wall and blend in with the background apartment block seamlessly. The outcome was something that looked like it had evolved over centuries.
Q: What about the flooring?
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: Beauford sandstone floor pavers have a heritage style reminiscent of old European flooring. The unique edging has a soft tumbled line that gives a hand-finished look. The color is a beautiful blend of sandstone cream with limestone washes, which is visually perfect for our project. Moreover, the pavers are soft on the feet and add texture as well as keeping in with the vernacular of our beach lifestyle.โฏ
"We chose richly coloured cotto in two formats to create window arches and random patterns to make it feel like the walls were restored using old, mismatched materials. The outcome was something that looked like it had evolved over centuries."
Q: Tell us about the plants
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: We chose self-sufficient species that require little maintenance and are suited to the harsh sun in the courtyard. The planting area was limited to 3 small feature areas with elevated coreten steel beds. We wanted to plant beautiful textural silver and pale green foliage and a striking collage of sculptural shapes. Senecio Serpens, Senecio Ice sticks, Echinopsis Pachonoi - San Pedro Cactus, Sansevieria Moonshine, Sansevieria Trifasciata, Sansevieria Stuckii and Sansevieria Ugunda all sit under our feature, the Phoenix Roebellini Palm Tree. Helliconia โHot Rio Nightsโ give height and provide a lush green backdrop for privacy.
Q: That palm tree, whatโs the story?
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: The Phoenix Roebellini Palm Tree was much bigger than we expected. It arrived with a root ball that was almost 1 metre wide and weighed over 700kg. We had to crane it up the steps to the front door where we had a dolly waiting. This instantly buckled but our heroic team slowly shifted it through the house and rolled it into place. It was quite an effort but it looks stunning in its new home. This was the final brush stroke in a small but feature-packed garden renovation.
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