Starry, starry night: the Garland Garden ceiling

“I want to use the area under the deck for sitting and entertaining, but I don’t want to look at the underside of the deck.”

Such was the challenge laid down by our client at the initial briefing for what would become the Garland Garden.

The deck had been added before our client bought the house, and it hadn’t been constructed with a great deal of care. Whilst recent architectural renovations had better integrated the deck with the house, underneath was a different story.

As well as providing a more visually interesting experience, we also had to consider options for nighttime lighting, and a solution that would survive hosing down the deck above. It also had to work with our scheme for the rest of the garden, which was going to be better integrated with this part of the house.

After exploring a few options our client quickly selected a proposal for a series of panels perforated in a decorative pattern, all to be backlit by lights fixed under the deck.

We hunted for inspiration for the pattern: needing something that related to both the circular forms in the garden, and the orthogonal geometry of the house and deck. Arriving early for a meeting one day I noticed a pane of stunning old glass at the front of the house, and we had our inspiration.

Over several months we refined the design.

We started with the glass pattern and edited it into a garland form.

We then had to find a way to turn the ‘starburst’ pattern of the glass into lines on the pages.

We decided to create each line out of many smaller circles, increasing in size and spacing as they moved away from the centre.

Full-scale paper mock-ups were printed, and we laboriously cut out the holes to test the perforation pattern.

Additional starbursts were added in the four outer corners of the panels, to maximize the lighting effect, and we introduced four recessed downlights for times when stronger lighting was needed.

The panels were fabricated in aluminium, laser cut and powdercoated in a dull silver colour that fitted with the new pavement finishes and existing house.

LED lights were installed above, and the panels fixed in place.

The colour of the panels changes over the course of the day, especially towards evening.

By the time the sun has set the backlights are twinkling and the panels themselves become virtually invisible.

Our client now loves to sit out under her own starry sky in the evening, and we are thrilled to have helped transform a forgotten and underutilised part of her house and garden into an artful, and unexpected beauty.

Now it’s over to you.

What did you think of the new Garland Garden ceiling? Perhaps it’s given you hope that a difficult part of your home and garden can be transformed into something you love. I’d also like to know if you enjoyed seeing the different stages we went through to design the final pattern. Let me know in the comments below.

And of course, sharing is caring, so if you know someone else who might find this interesting, why not send it on.

See you soon for more garden, landscape and design stories. Oh, and we’ll also be featuring more from the Garland Garden in the coming months.

Design Class: shade

Plan now to beat the heat next summer.

If this summer has left you more hot and bothered than hot and happenin’, then don’t despair.

As the season officially draws to a close it’s a good time to make some observations so you can plan ahead and be prepared for next summer.

While the sun is still high and the days are long, take a good look around the garden and bear in mind the following three questions:

Question 1: what time of day do you plan to use the garden space in question?

Seems obvious huh – the day time. But you mightn’t actually need shade throughout the whole garden from sunup to sundown.

If you’re an early riser who enjoys having your first cuppa and breakfast out in the garden, then it might be most important for you that there is shade then.

If you have young kids at home you’ll also be an early riser (!), but it might be more important that you have some consistent shade throughout the day. That way there’s always somewhere sheltered available for running around, playing with the hose and splashing paint about.

Maybe you have dogs, and you’re out at work all day. It’s also important that they have access to somewhere shady through the hottest part of the day and year.

But if you dream of having sunset drinks without burning out your retinas, then some late afternoon shade might be what is required.

Anyone for Pimms?

Question 2: what type of shade do you want?

Again, this might seem obvious, but there are many different types of shade.

Think of the huge fig trees you see around Brisbane. They create a pool of shade that is deep, dark and noticeably cooler (left below).

Other tree species have a more open canopy and form, and consequently they cast a shadow that is lighter and more fragmented (right below).

Deciduous trees, of course, seasonally change the amount and type of shadow they create. They can be a good choice if you're after summer shade and winter sunlight.

Remember that shadows also change with the seasons. In summer, the sun is higher overhead, so shadows are smaller and closer to the object casting the shadow (left below). In winter the sun is lower in the sky, resulting in shadows that stretch out a long way away from the source (right below). Your neighbour’s palm shadows for example, are close to the trunk in summer, but could be falling over your garden in winter.

Try and think about what type of shadow you’re after, and then consider the ways that could be achieved.

Question 3: how patient are you?

This might seem like a personal question, but it pays to be honest with yourself in order to get a result that fits. The two ways we can create garden shade are through live elements – trees, shrubs, climbers trained over arbors and trellises; and built elements – rooves, shelters, screens and the like.

Unless you can afford to import a mature tree, all plant material will require time to establish in your garden and grow. This is true even if you select the right species for your area and provide optimum growing conditions.

Until the plantings are doing their job, you might have to rely on some temporary shade solutions – maybe some cool umbrellas.

If the thought of waiting 5, 10, or even more years until the vines clamber over the pergola or the tree reaches full height fills you with anxiety, you might need to consider a built solution.

As well as the benefit of shade without the wait, this allows you to complement the architectural detailing of your house. You have to consider all the seasons carefully though, as there aren’t too many deciduous rooves around if you also need winter sun. And of course, structures require maintenance, just like the rest of your house and garden.

Often, a combination of built and growing shade solutions can be tailored to meet your exact conditions and requirements.

Pergola structure with newly planted climbers (left), temporary shading (centre) and fully grown (right).

Now it’s over to you.

Did this help you consider some of your garden shade options differently? Feel free to confess if you suspect you’re an ‘instant shade’ person or not, and how you might plan your attack in response.

If you think someone else might benefit from this article, please share it with them. If you liked it, then hit us with a big heart below.

Thanks for reading, and see you soon for more garden, landscape and design stories.

Grounds: Cafe Gardens & Garden Cafes

Secret Garden Cafe at Cottage Garden Nursery

I have the most wonderful studio imaginable. I love it, and swear I can feel my mood, creativity and productivity all improve when I cross the threshold into that calm, dark, cool space.

Despite this insane privilege, I still find it really useful to get out occasionally. The change of setting brings a new perspective to whatever it is I’m pondering.

Now this may get my membership of the design fraternity revoked, but I’m not much of a coffee drinker. The hardest I’ll usually go is a cup of hot soy that’s been waved sort of in the vicinity of the coffee machine. Yes, yes, I know. Lame. Despite this enfeeblement I still like going to cafes, and I’m sure you’ve been to your fair share too.

With that in mind, allow me to introduce Grounds, a new feature where each month I’ll share a different cafe in a garden setting.

To get things started we have The Secret Garden Café, in East Brisbane.

They had me at ‘secret garden’, and on arriving I discovered that the secret was in fact the Cottage Garden Nursery.

The resourceful owners operate the nursery, and lease out space in their corner premises to a florist, three antiques traders, a clothing boutique, and The Secret Garden Café. Unlike some of the big garden centres the scale of Cottage Garden is more intimate. You can flow leisurely from space to space and see it all, or just as easily pop in for a coffee or flowers.

Cottage Garden is just what you need in a local nursery, with a diverse but nicely curated selection of species. Brisbane ratepayers can collect their free native plants; herbs and edibles are well represented; and there’s a whole separate space dedicated to shade-lovers.

Banksia integrifolia and Lomandra confertifolia in the 'free plants' section.

The herbs taking their morning dip.

Pothos 'Goldilocks' and a friendly visitor in the shade-lovers area...naturally the only time the sun came out!

Whether your thing is arid zone plants or potted colour, Cottage Garden Nursery makes it difficult for plant-lovers to leave empty handed.

Syzygium australe 'Resilience' and Metrosideros collina 'Little Dugald'.

Garden accessories include these little timber herb planters and a range of pots. 

For the colour fans: Portulacca and Carnation 'Divine'.

Dipladenia and Lavender.

And what about the café? Well, make sure you leave it till last, because you won’t be up to much after a slice of the home made zucchini, lime and pistachio cake. Served on a dainty plate, with a silver cake fork and an indecently large dollop of vanilla-flecked cream, this beauty made for a very happy Landscapologist. Such are the lengths to which I’ll go to for you, Dear Reader. It's a value for money proposition too, because you won't need to eat for the rest of the day.

The cake was marching out of the display cabinet to tables everywhere, along with passionfruit tart, white choc cheesecake with Turkish delight, and a double Lindt extravaganza that would stop the die-hardist chocolholic in their tracks.

Does this place have designer chairs and a sleek fitout? No.

Will you feel right at home with the relaxed vibe and personal service? I think so.

The Secret Garden Café is not so secret anymore.

Now it’s over to you.

What do you think of Grounds, our new monthly segment on coffee with a garden setting? We have places in mind for the months ahead, but if you have a favourite that you think we should investigate, please drop me a line or leave a note in the comments below.

If you know someone else who might find this interesting, why not share it.

Note: Cottage Garden Nursery is at 999 Stanley Street East (corner of Edgar Street), East Brisbane. Horticulturalist Paul is on hand for friendly advice. 

Design Class: pool fences

Four ways to comply with the regulations without feeling like you're behind bars

I am by nature a heat-averse person. Sweating may be fine for the gym, but sizzling in the sun is waaaaay down on my list of fun things to do.

So with our recent bout of balmy (barmy, more like it) weather, I’ve been feeling extreme sympathy for the builders stuck on site finishing my current project. It must be tormenting to have a fabulous new pool sitting right there and not be able to jump in for a quick cool down.

It’s times like this you start to think longingly about pools. Would you get a long pool so you can swim laps? A deep plunge pool? Something clean and crisp and orthogonal? Tiled or not?

With so much to consider, one thing that is often overlooked is the pool fencing. Mandatory for all pools in Queensland, fencing must comply with strict regulations prescribing the height of barriers and prevention of climbing, amongst other things.

Sadly, meeting these requirements and having a good looking pool area often seem like mutually exclusive goals for many pool owners.

If you have an existing pool the fence has to snake its way through and around the existing paving and garden areas.

If you have limited space you often end up with the pool fence jammed right up beside the pool edge, and no space for lounging or sitting beside the pool, right where you want to be.

And the most cost-effective models of pool fencing available can make you feel like you’re sitting inside a jail cell, rather than in your relaxing outdoor living room.

Luckily, if you’re considering installing a new pool there are four tricks for beating the curse of the jailyard pool fence.

1. The Pool Wall Fence

In this scenario you use the wall of the pool itself as the pool fence. The pool sits above the surrounding ground surface, requiring only a small amount of ‘traditional’ fencing to protect the entry to the pool area.

This can be good if you have limited space, as all the area around the pool remains free and useable, with a minimal fenced entry area that can be screened with a wall, or open with a balustrade.

Plans on the left show a pool with conventional perimeter fencing, and then reduced fencing on the right, achieved by raising the pool out of the ground. Sections on the right show how raising the pool enables the pool wall to be used as the pool fence and a garden feature.

You can use the outside of the pool wall as a design element in the garden: paint it, tile it, or leave it raw concrete as we've done at our Garland Garden project.

This approach works really well on sloping sites, where you can fence your outdoor living area, and the leave the rest of the pool emerging from the ground as the slope falls away. This type of pool is also crying out for a ‘horizon edge’, where the water cascades over the exposed walls to a catch trough below.

Once inside the fenced area the paved area flows directly into the pool, with nothing interrupting the view. Water flowing over the horizon edge looks great to people viewing the pool at the lower level.

2. The Ha-Ha

This works really well if you have a bit more space to play around with, but it can be used in smaller spaces too.

A ha-ha is a fancy word to describe a sunken area between two pieces of land (OK…a ditch). It creates a barrier without disrupting views across.

In picturesque English gardens ha-has were used to separate the sheep in their fields from the gentry in their pleasure gardens. In contemporary gardens ha-has can be used to comply with pool fencing requirements without looking out at layers of fences.

Using the ha-ha allows continuous access from the pool terrace to the adjacent garden, and enables uninterrupted views across the garden.

3. The Fancy Fence

Seems obvious in a way, but sometimes we’re so used to seeing conventional pool fences that we forget they don’t have to be made out of glass, or straight lines of aluminium rods.

What about panels with a decorative perforated pattern that can be backlit at night to sparkle? 

Or consider taking your fence on a journey through the garden, like a piece of wandering sculpture. Then you can enjoy some of the lovely parts of your garden whilst still being able to access the pool. This works really well if you have some space to play with.

4. The Green Fence 

This final option uses the bog-standard aluminium pool fence but hides it in the middle of a planted screen. As the plants grow you’re left with a hedge that you can either trim or leave shaggy, whatever best suits your design, but you’ve still achieved your fencing requirements.

Of course, the diagrams above are intended purely to illustrate how the four ideas work, they are not designs or detailed solutions in themselves. Every garden is different, and your particular circumstances must be carefully understood and considered before adopting any of these ideas, to make sure you get the best result to suit your requirements.

Now it’s over to you.

Did this help you consider some of your pool options in a different light? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or share how you’ve re-imagined your pool fencing to create an integrated garden and outdoor living space. If you’re dreaming of a pool, what are your considering?

If you know someone else who might find this interesting, why not share it, and if you liked it ‘heart’ us below.

Thanks for reading and see you soon for more garden, landscape and design stories.

Note: Pool fencing regulations vary across local authorities and states. Make sure to check with your local council for their requirements.

Your Favourite Stories of 2013

It’s hard to believe the Landscapology blog has been up and running for six months now. In that time the number of people receiving weekly updates has more than doubled - thank-you for your interest and support! So as the year draws to a close, let’s take a look back at the stories that resonated most with our regular readers.

Here’s the Top 10:

10.  A Celebration of Texture: sometimes the bumpy bits are the most interesting - our small selection of beautifully textured pavements, walls, walls, artworks and plants.

9.  Design Class: make analysis your friend - the first of two simple guides to basics to looks out for and understand before you start designing.

8.  Elephants never forget...and they can teach you how to read drawings - Trunky the Elephant's Design 101 guide to understanding plans, elevations and sections.

7.  How I visited a park in Colombia and ended up with a book deal - as Future Park went to print I explained how the whole project came to be.

6.  Visit Landscapology at Brisbane Open House - a sneak peek inviting people to visit the new studio. The follow up story of the day was also popular.

5.  Back of House - celebrating the delights of the tangled, messy, not-for-public-view backs of our city buildings.

4.  Is the frangipani Brisbane’s favourite summer tree? - the answer was a resounding yes! And this story was a tie for fourth place, with...

4.  Landscapology’s 2013 Christmas Book Guide - last week's list of the books that have brought faraway landscapes closer to me this year.

3.  Serenity...in the least likely location - our tour through delightful Newtown Creek Nature Walk, next door to New York's biggest sewage treatment plant.

2. Big Prawn...yawn: THIS sculpture park features the biggest from the world's best - our visit to the amazing Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park outside Auckland.

1.  Confessions of a sell-out: Future Park is launched! - my opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me along the long and sometimes rocky road to bring my book from dream to reality.

But now it’s over to you.

What’s been your favourite story this year and why? What would you like to see more of in 2014?

I’d love to know – please drop me a line in the comments below, or send me an email.

Of course if you know anyone who’d enjoy this article, please feel free to share. And if you've been sent this by a friend, consider signing up to receive a new design tip, feature project or Landscapology update in your inbox each week.

Stop by again next week when there will be more from the wonderful world of landscape, architecture and design.

All images © Amalie Wright, except Future Park launch photo, by Nicole Phillips.

Is the Frangipani Brisbane’s Favourite Summer Tree?

In the interests of providing you with the most accurate information possible, I have conducted an exhaustive survey of the city, and it seems that you can’t walk 20 metres at the moment without stumbling across some sort of frangipani.

Within an easy half-hour stroll of Landscapology HQ I encounted all the examples shown here.

Looking at the images, I think it’s pretty easy to see why the frangipani is such a crowd pleaser.

Firstly there’s the scale:

Sure they start off looking like a stick in the ground (which is pretty much what they are) but given time and half a chance, frangipanis grow into magnificent trees from 5 to 8 metres tall, making them perfect for residential gardens. 

Secondly, there’s the form:

Frangipanis have the triple threat of a wonderfully sculptural trunk and branches, a perfectly rounded canopy, and elegantly pointed leaves.

Thirdly:

They’re tough critters, often thriving on neglect, and in less than ideal conditions. You often see them happily blooming away in an untended backyard, or, in the case seen below, next to a bunch of air conditioning equipment.  

Fourthly:

They’re versatile. Frangipanis can be grown as a stunning single specimen tree, grouped to create the perfect picnic setting, or even planted close together to create a tall, shady grove. They create a lovely pool of shade in summer, and, if you choose a deciduous specimen, a welcome patch of winter sun. 

But finally, when it all comes down to it, the flower is the frangipani’s knock-out killer punch. 

From white to pale pink, yellow, orange and deepest cerise, the frangipani flower is a five-petalled, unfurling and twirling piece of pure delight. 

People young and old will stop to pick up a frangipani flower from the ground like they do with no other tree: the scent of a good ‘un will put an easy smile on the grouchiest face.

Frangipanis (Plumeria) originated in Central and South America, so they generally go gangbusters in Brisbane’s subtropical conditions. To keep your tree healthy, and it set it on track for a long life, try to grow it in well-drained soil in the full sun. Established trees don’t usually need supplemental watering, but give them a drink while they’re establishing. They respond well to fertilizing during the growing season, with something high in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus – liquid seaweed or fishy solutions for example. They can be pruned, grown in pots, and easily grown from cuttings, a true garden superstar. 

So…is the frangipani Brisbane’s favourite summer tree?

The votes are in, and the answer is a resounding yes!

Now it’s over to you.

Are you a frangipani fan? If so, which camp are you in? White or coloured flowers? Evergreen or deciduous? If you don’t have one at home, what’s your favourite specimen – the one you keep an eye out for every year?

I’d love to know – drop a line in the comments below.

Of course if you know anyone who’d enjoy this article, please feel free to share. There will be more from the wonderful world of landscape, architecture and design next week.

All images © Amalie Wright.