Home Beautiful, August 2013

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A clever, contemporary makeover has transformed a bland rooftop terrace

into the ultimate inner-city oasis WORDS KYLIE JACKES STYLING ADAM ROBINSON

PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY

ROOFTOP RETREAT

Rendered walls painted in Porter’s Paints Triple Lead, combined with a timber screen stained in Porter’s Paints Palm Beach Black, define the casual lounge area in Blair and Hamish’s smart rooftop garden. Originally painted in shades of cream and light grey, the sunny rooftop area was blindingly bright, so this new colour scheme is literally easier on the eye. >

AFTER MOVING INTO their new inner-city apartment, Blair and Hamish agreed their first priority was to overhaul the terrace, a large and open rooftop space brimming with unrealised potential. “It was painted in light shades and in full sunshine it was blindingly bright,” explains Blair. “Plus our mishmash of pot plants, accumulated over years of renting, did nothing to improve the area!”

The couple called on garden designer Adam Robinson to create a functional and modern alfresco living space with a mix of low-maintenance plants, a barbecue and lots of casual seating. The transformation was completed in six weeks by landscaping company Quercus Gardens, who built and installed every element from the custom joinery to the myriad plants, shrubs and several tonnes of potting mix, all transported via a lift up to the rooftop.

A key consideration in the redesign was addressing the extreme exposure to the elements and reworking the oddly shaped layout. Now the space is divided into distinct zones geared towards lounging, dining and relaxing, with hard-landscaping features such as galvanised-steel planter boxes, timber cladding and tiled feature walls lending a contemporary, urban feel.

Scale was important in Adam’s planting design, so he introduced semi-mature trees such as the large potted frangipani and the equally impressive, luscious native water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) to add height. With its thick evergreen foliage and clusters of yellow flowers in summer, the water gum is a beautiful plant. “It works so well in an area like this as being a native it can withstand wind and will grow to a substantial size in a pot,” explains Adam. >

Semi-mature trees such as a large potted frangipani and water gum add height and a sense of scale to this rooftop escape.

For easy maintenance, Robert Plumb couches were left unstained to grey off naturally, and complement the chunky ‘Frankenstool’ log seat, also from Robert Plumb. An old chair from the Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre was revamped with yellow paint. The cushions are in UV-resistant outdoor fabric; find similar at Terrace.

Geometric handmade Moroccan wall tiles bring real wow-factor to the barbecue area, which features a polished concrete benchtop and built-in stainless-steel Electrolux barbecue. Underbench timber cabinetry is stained in Porter’s Paints Palm Beach Black. The sleek Foscarini ‘Uto’ suspension lamp from Space adds a zesty pop of colour.

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“In summer we eat out under the stars on the terrace almost every night, and I love making

cocktails for friends out here as there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out,” says Blair (right),

enjoying lunch with Hamish and Alfie the cavoodle.

TIP: “Think about how you want to use the space and create zones

accordingly. It’s good to incorporate an outdoor dining space and a separate seating area.” - Adam Robinson, garden designer

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“At night, the dark wal ls seem to disappear and the timber stain takes on a glossy sheen, which adds another dimension,” says homeowner Blair.

The height of these planter boxes helps raise the profile of low-mounding shrubs like this yellow-flowering variety of Indian hawthorn, while the spindly effect of various Carex grasses enhances the casual, relaxed feel.

An investment piece, the ‘Corradi Velombra’ sail awning from Aalta Screens, teamed with a motorised ‘Defense’ shading system that can rotate a full 360 degrees, has been a great inclusion. It even boasts a wind sensor and retracts automatically during gusty conditions.

< Beyond the dining table, a row of potted olive trees softens the edges of the exterior wall, while underplantings of kidney weeds skim to the ground and help break up the expanse of tiles. Layered with informal clusters of hardy succulents, Mediterranean species (such as rosemary and geraniums) and semi-mature trees, under-planted with cottage varieties that cascade from pots, the effect is a verdant, multi-layered sea of shape and texture.

The dark grey hue around the perimeter helps the walls to recede visually and allows plants and softer layers like the outdoor lounge to become the focus. “At night, the dark walls seem to disappear and the timber stain takes on a glossy sheen, which adds another dimension,” says Blair. At dusk, up-lighters illuminate feature trees and subtle LED lights cast a warm glow behind the thick layer of foliage. With his surround-sound speakers controlled via Wifi, Blair loves the ease of selecting his playlist while relaxing on the couch.

The rooftop has become the ideal space for cocktail parties and casual barbecues. “When people come here for the first time, I think they’re amazed to find an oasis like this exists so close to the heart of the city,” says Blair. “We’ve nicknamed the terrace the ‘W-Redfern’, after the luxurious Starwood hotel chain, because when you’re out there it really does feel like you’re staying in a resort. It’s our tranquil getaway.” And luckily for the couple, they only have to step outside their apartment to reach it.

Garden designer: Adam Robinson, Adam Robinson Design, 0451 299 920, adamrobinsondesign.com. Landscaping: Quercus Gardens, 0410 578 762, quercusgardens.com.au.

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TIP: “Use colour and texture to create interest and introduce informal plantings

with lots of layers to make the area appear larger.” – Adam Robinson, garden designer

With every room of the apartment opening out onto the rooftop terrace, improvements such as this slimline day bench have helped to effectively double the amount of useable

living space. Another clever little custom touch is a concealed cat box for Sam, within the base

of the bench. “It works really well as there are two access doors, one for the cat and

another for cleaning,” explains Blair. >

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PLANTS GUIDE

1. Timber screen paint Low sheen acrylic in Palm Beach Black, $131.80/4L, Porter’s Paints.

2. Moroccan tiles Popham Design tiles from Onsite Supply + Design.

3. Exterior wal l paint Low sheen acrylic in Triple

Lead, $100.90/4L, Porter’s Paints.

MATERIALS GUIDE

Darker colours are less glary than light hues in al l-day sunshine, and shade is another must-have.

Alfie the cavood le and Blair enjoy the scented frangipani.

1. Succulents These potted yellow and pink-flowered Euphorbia ‘Brilliant Star’ are both easy-care sun-lovers.

2. Aloe vera Almost indestructible in a rooftop pot, its exotic shapes will slowly develop over the years.

3. Carex With spindly foliage, this grass looks casual and sways from side to side in the slightest breeze.

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{get the look}A muted urban scheme comes to life with colour

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1. Foscarini ‘Uto’ suspension lamp, $510, Space. 2. Integrated barbecue, $3279, Electrolux. 3. ‘Freemont’ cushion in Chartreuse & Grey, $59.95, Kas Australia. 4. ‘Seti’ 2-seater armchair, $3225, Robert Plumb. 5. ‘Frankenstool’ stool, $395, Robert Plumb. 6. ‘Lewis’ cushion in Yellow, $49.95, Kas Australia. 7. ‘Lovlig’ vases, $2.99 each, Ikea.

8. ‘Gary’ galvanised steel cubes, from $530 each, Robert Plumb. 9. ‘Nano’ table, from $960, Tait. Stockists, page 223

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These handmade tiles wil l develop a lovely worn patina over time.

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This old chair was revamped with paint and cushions.

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