An exercise in colour and form, this vibrant garden was once a fairly standard urban block. With views from all angles of the house directed into the rectangular backyard, the garden needed definition, and a clear focal point.

Inspired by the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy, the enormous stone fountain provides the centrepiece in a rich tapestry of colour, form and texture. Pastels may be easier to work with but bold colours really are the soul of a garden, adding rhythm, energy and definition. As with most contemporary gardens, colour in this design is not dependant on flowers. Painted walls, swathes of foliage in various shades and carefully selected hardscape materials provide a bold yet complimentary palette. Deep reds, orange, burgundy, grey-blue, lime green, splashes of white and yellow and cooling, contrasting blues bring the garden space to life.  

Bluestone paving provides the large open space in place of lawn, the cool grey colour reducing glare and setting off the shades of surrounding foliage. Dark paving can easily give off a cold, sterile feel but the careful selection of warm colours throughout the garden keeps the area bright and cheery. Repetition of materials is constant throughout the space: bluestone paving flows from the ground plane up the sides of a barbecue built-in to a long serving table at perfect ‘beer resting’ height. Balancing the design, a bluestone bench equal in length to the table creates a practical seat on the opposite side of the garden. Inset timber softens the stone seat both in terms of colour and comfort. 

Chunky bluestone steppers surround the rectangular pond, also clad in the same stone, providing informal access throughout the space. A carpet of contrasting Echeveria sp. divides the steppers and contrasts beautifully in both colour and texture. By far, the standout feature of the garden is the stacked stone fountain, with its contrasting feature wall behind and glistening flow of water down the sides. Known affectionately as “The Egg”, the stacked stone sculpture took around 150 hrs and a lot of patience to build by hand; gradually stacking slate pieces one on top of the other. 

An entertaining area, a space to play, a piece of art, a tranquil haven, a harmony of colours which change with the seasons; this garden fills many quotas and all with the absence of lawn!