Tiered triumph

A classic garden receives a contemporary twist

- KYLIE BARACZ

This large family residence on Sydney’s north shore has seen many wonderful celebrations — from grand parties to lowkey events. To honour this grand home, its classic garden received a contemporary makeover, with subtle tiers cut into its existing slopes. Full of repetition and symmetry, this ornamental garden now sits nicely among the north shore street frontages, its rear more relaxed and playful.

“The main driver for the garden was to facilitate a large family with a love for entertaining, as well as an appropriate space for lots of young grandchildren,” says Trystan Graham, director of Outdoor Establishments. The design of the garden is timeless, with clean lines and an uncomplicated colour palette ensuring the formal and relaxed garden elements blend seamlessly.

As the site has a significant slope, the Outdoor Establishments team worked in terraced levels which spatially defined the garden. The front yard, swimming pool, rear lawn and alfresco area were all arranged in the split-level design. “With the difference between the formal elements from the front garden to the [relaxed] back, it was great to work on the transition between two garden styles in the one property,” says Trystan.