Backyard and Outdoor Living

WORDS & PHOTOS: ERINA STARKEY Gardens, whatever their size, are a luxury in the city. Take Drummoyne, a harbourside peninsula just 6km west of the Sydney CBD. Like its affluent neighbours, Balmain and Rozelle, Drummoyne has undergone gentrification o

If your backyard needs a facelift, check out this example of an outdoor oasis for some inspiration. From the get-go, the unique design of this home and garden, nestled in Gordons Bay, a secluded spot north of Sydney's Coogee Beach, is apparent. The w

WORDS: MATTHEW CANTWELL When my wife Rochelle first told me about a house she had seen, which unbeknown to me was soon to become our new home, I don’t know that we were actively looking to move. However, our three children were growing quickly and I

Winter is in full swing and like me, some plants are not big fans of the cold. What if there was a solution that would let you grow plants year-round without having to worry about the weather? This magical solution is a greenhouse or glasshouse, of c

Trees contribute to height and structure, and add a focal point to your backyard, plus they encourage wildlife and help the environment. Trees should provide fruit, either growing in a standard way or against walls or fences, and should create shade

WORDS & PHOTOS: CLAIRE BICKLE I always say that healthy soil equals healthy plants. But what about when things go wrong despite our best efforts? Your plants may be looking unwell, not thriving and even — heaven forbid — dying. You then look to see w

In February, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney officially opened the Southern African Garden, the start of transformational changes planned for the redesign of the garden. This new space includes critically endangered flora from South Africa, Namibia,

WORDS: ALICE GRIFFIN Collaborations are not, by any means, a recipe for success. Take Apple’s iTunes partnership with U2 a few years ago, for example. One of the few exceptions to this rule is in home design, where architects, landscape designers and

Australian summers can be extreme. Some gardens remain hot and dry while others are inundated with rain. Whatever conditions summer deals out, we all crave some simple solutions to help grow fantastic, healthy gardens and lawns and, best of all, mini

WORDS: MEGG MILLER “Individual circumstances will determine the level of aggression, but owners of new birds can anticipate some henhouse unrest for the first few days and even weeks” New chooks! So exciting. But long-term inhabitants of the henhouse

To make sure your patio or backyard space is on point and ready for the good times, you’ll want to give it an upgrade. From modern and luxe to classic and rustic, the Noosa collection from GlobeWest offers chic outdoor furniture that will give your b

WORDS: CARROL BAKER With their home renovations complete, the owners of this luxury residence turned their attention to the outdoors. The house has expansive windows, so it was crucial that each aspect of the garden renovation was pleasing to the eye

The outer Melbourne suburb of Edithvale is known for its pristine beach, so it’s hardly very surprising that seaside building lots are highly prized. When Jarchitecture was engaged to design a pair of beachfront townhouses, maximising the connection

We all love outdoor living. There’s something very relaxing about spending time in the backyard. But even for diehard nature lovers, outdoor decorating can sometimes be challenging. And let’s face it, for many of us, our yards could benefit from some

WORDS & PHOTOS: JENNIFER STACKHOUSE “When they discovered the northwest of Tasmania they realised it was a place where you could grow practically anything. They loved the mild climate and rich red soil” It was a cold, blustery day when I visited the

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH The major drawcard of a home greenhouse is the control it gives you. Any plants you grow in your garden have to be able to handle the prevailing conditions — the daily temperature fluctuations, the available light, the changes in s

WORDS: KYLIE BARACZ A modern home needs an equally modern garden — or does it? The owners of this architectural masterpiece in Toorak, Melbourne, were looking for a garden with a lush and diverse planting palette to soften, yet complement, the strong

WORDS: MELISSA KING We’ve all heard the old story that eating carrots can help you see in the dark. Carrots won’t give you superhero vision but they are a good source of vitamin A, which is important for eye health. Studies have shown that if your di

Do it tough and do it right — that’s how the team at Tufright gets 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 they're res

Timber provides a way to enhance any home or garden; also any 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 renovat

WORDS: KAREN BOOTH Less is definitely more when working with smaller spaces, which is why this garden, with its pared-back outdoor room and sleek swimming pool, is such a resounding success. Through the judicious use of a limited palette of materials

Trampolines have become increasingly popular and are frequently purchased by parents wanting to keep their children fit and occupied. However, many people are unaware of the health benefits a trampoline offers adults, too. If you’ve ever passed on a

WORDS: ERINA STARKEY By saving seeds from cherished crops, you can reproduce the plants you love, year after year, without cost. What’s more, seeds saved from your garden will already be adapted to your soil, climate and garden conditions and will ha

WORDS: ANNABELLE CLOROS While apartment living is on the rise across our cities, having access to a green space remains essential for many. Julia Treuel and Sasha Wright-Neville decided to capitalise on their apartment’s city views when they created

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 “You don’t have to splurge on expensive play equipment to turn your backyard into an adventure wonderland for your children” You don’t have to splurge on expensive play equipment to turn your backyard into an adventure wonderland f

WORDS ADAM WOODHAMS There’s a saying that’s likely as old as suburbia: “Good fences make for good neighbours.” Personally, I think it’s time to reboot that expression to “Good hedges grow great neighbours!” If you need privacy at your place, it’s wor

WORDS: JENNIFER STACKHOUSE Australian gardeners tend to despise dandelions. They are seen as weeds to obliterate from the lawn rather than a truly clever crop that deserves respect. For kids, though, dandelions are magical — their spherical cloud of