A coming of age

When old meets new, sometimes magic just happens

-  CARROL BAKER

With street appeal in spades as well as warm, intimate exterior living spaces, this Cammeray project exemplifies style and outdoor living at its very best.

The project involved restoring the street frontage of a Federation-style cottage on Sydney's lower north shore, then adding an extension to the rear, an outdoor dining space and gardens, and a sparkling concrete swimming pool. The project effortlessly blends the traditional and the contemporary. The garden, which was designed and constructed by Outdoor Establishments, is a warm and welcoming space. Trystan Graham, director of Outdoor Establishments, says the restoration preserved the cottage-like feel and a modern flavour was added with some contemporary inclusions. "The contemporary take includes crazy paving and batten fencing materials more commonly seen in current architecture -along with open-plan living space and indoor-outdoor dining," he says.

Trystan points out the waterwise or environmentally friendly aspects of the project include retaining plants where possible, in this case an existing crepe myrtle and other trees, planting hardy succulent species, and a diversity in flowering species appropriate to Sydney's climate. "There is also minimal lawn, which reduces the amount of water required. to maintain the gardens and lawns," he adds.

ED'S FVE

The impressive rooftop garden