Tag: water feature

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Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

The 5 essential ingredients that make the perfect Aussie back yard

The cooler months lend themselves perfectly to recreating your garden, ready in time for summer barbecues and Aeroguard overdoses. Kill two birds with one stone by investing in a backyard that offers an inviting entertainment space as well as increases the worth of your property.

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“Not everything you do in your backyard will turn a profit, but you should always try getting the best return on investment you can on the improvements you make. A well designed and planned backyard can add 20-to-30% to the value of your home. By improving your backyard and making it a great space that people can enjoy, you can add value to the overall property,” said Simon Exleton, real estate agent at McGrath.

The ‘Great Australian Backyard Survey’ found that 82% of Australians consider an outdoor space an important factor when making the decision to rent or purchase a home. Abri Masonry’s landscape expert Jason Hodges, suggests creating a space that is low maintenance and well presented as a first step to making a profitable backyard.

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According to the survey, there are five essentials that make up the ideal Aussie backyard:

1. An outdoor entertaining/dining area that transitions smoothly from the indoor space but still creates a definitive outdoor space.
2. An outdoor kitchen is both a practical and aesthetic addition to the backyard, with many options beyond the standard BBQ. Use courtyard blocks to spruce up a bench top with a wine fridge tucked underneath.
3. A veggie patch compliments an outdoor kitchen and dining area and adds a real homely feel to your property. Your guests will also be impressed with the salad you whip up using those organic, home-grown cucumbers!
4. A pool area is at the heart of the Australian dream. The perfect hot summer entertainer for all ages. Spa additions are great for popping opens a bottle from the wine fridge and enjoying a romantic evening under the stars in the cooler months.
5. Water features can turn your backyard into a resort-style sanctuary, creating the ultimate getaway from the bustle of everyday life.

Visit Adbri Masonry for more backyard transformation ideas.

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Design DIY Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

7 ways to prepare your backyard for spring

With spring on the horizon, there is no better time to reawaken and rejuvenate the backyard in preparation for the warmer seasons ahead. Reviving the garden can be an enjoyable activity for the whole family. You can transform the outdoor space and inject a new lease of life over the course of a weekend, preparing the family’s favourite room for the upcoming barbecues and endless evenings of entertaining. Here’s seven tips for transforming your backyard in time for spring:

Jason Hodges, Adbri ambassador

1. Build a veggie patch

Spring is the season of new life and marks the perfect time to raise and grow little ones of your own, herbs and veggies that is! Building your own raised veggie garden is simple; allocate space which will receive enough sun, mark out your area and then install a raised garden wall using dry retaining wall blocks. Bring in quality soil and then plant your favourite produce. A veggie patch is a great way to make use of forgotten corners of the garden to grow your own groceries.

2. Create a zoned garden

Zones in the backyard can create defined areas for eating, cooking, lounging or whatever is required. Define zones using fencing, plants or materials such as pavers, grass or gravel to help each area stand out on its own. A zoned garden will appear bigger and each area will have its own purpose.

3. Add furniture and accessorise

Zoned outdoor space

Selecting the right furniture is imperative to achieving the desired look and feel and maximising the time spent in the backyard. Start by considering your lifestyle and how you anticipate the room will be used. Lounges and deep seaters are perfect for those who like to relax whereas dining settings are best for those who love long family meals. Include some decorative elements to add personality to the space.

4. Enhance the look of the lawn

Spruce up the driveway

Replacing old or damaged turf is a quick way to enhance the look of your home. Healthy turf will bring a bright, fresh appearance to your outdoor space and this simple project gives a great finishing touch. Aerate the lawn with a garden fork and remove any debris. Fertilise if required and sprinkle grass seed over any bare spots. For a more dramatic, neat finish, add garden edging.

5. Pressure clean paved areas

Transform old into new again in time for the entertaining season. Bring your driveway or any paved area back to life with a power wash. It’s quick and easy to do and will not only improve the appearance but with pressure cleaning you may also remove any oil or moss and restore the slip resistance of the surface.

6. Introduce a water feature

Adbri feature wall - pool

Adding a water feature to the outdoor room can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space. There are some fantastic water feature options on the market today. Water features can also serve a functional purpose such as blocking out noise from traffic or neighbours and add a peaceful ambiance to the garden. A stone feature wall will add some texture and make a water feature pop, making the greatest impact.

7. Add creative lighting

With longer, warmer days around the corner, spring is the perfect time to start using the outdoor space into the evening. Lighting allows you to utilise the backyard all year round as well as after the sun goes down. With a huge variety of lighting options to choose from, you’re sure to find something to compliment the style of the backyard.

— Jason Hodges is Australia’s well-loved celebrity landscaper, most notably seen on the Channel Seven lifestyle TV show Better Homes and Gardens. Jason is also a brand ambassador for Australia’s leading masonry manufacturer Adbri Masonry.

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Design Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

Why winter is the best time to start planning your pool

Planning the installation of your pool during the colder months is the perfect way to ensure you’re ready to dive in by the time summer rolls around. Below are five main factors to consider when preparing for your pool:

1. Create a look book 

Gather design inspiration from a variety of sources including newspapers, magazines and even scenic shots taken on holiday, pay particular attention to the pool water colour and the finish/treatment, tile or otherwise that is helping to create it. Then get an expert in to advise on making your design vision a reality. A good landscape designer will then put your ideas into a cohesive plan that considers your property holistically as it is not just about the pool. A comprehensive landscape design will mean you are ready to construct a clear vision of what your pool oasis will look like come summer.

2. Find a credible team 

After you’ve established your aesthetic vision the next step is to source the right team to execute the job. Ensure they are credible and well established; a great way of monitoring this is to check that they are a member of the right associations. Spasa for pool builders and the LNA Landscape Association NSW (for which I am the current president) for all of the other exterior construction builders; as this will mean that they are highly regarded, have earned the respect of the construction industry, government bodies and other associated professionals. Going with a LNA member will also offer protection should there be any issues during the design and construction phase, as all LNA members have the necessary insurances and proven track records.

3. Establish a budget 

It’s likely that you will have an idea of what you’re willing to spend on your pool installation and materials. However, it’s also important to speak with your team to establish a more accurate idea of what the process will cost. Design experts will be able to collate more information and give you an estimate on what it will cost to make your pool come to life and integrate within your outdoor space.

4. Check your local building codes 

It is important to know the rules before you embark on the pool installation process.  The NSW legislation states that pools must be registered with local councils or risk facing fines. To ensure compliance with the regulations, a ‘Development Application’ can be lodged through council, or if certain guidelines are met a ‘Complying Development’ can be carried out through a licensed private certifier. Both will need to meet the following requirements: that pool fences are 1.2m high (with no gaps of more than 100mm), all horizontal pales must be at least 900mm apart, latches must be 1.5m above ground and boundary fences must be 1.8m high.

5. Water features for a finishing touch 

Once you’ve made the decision to dive into swimming pool ownership, why not add a stylish water feature. A water feature can be an eye-catching addition to any pool design and also adds to the ambience with the sound of running water. I recommend installing your water feature during the initial construction period as retrofitting can be difficult and costly.

– Matt Leacy is a landscape designer and director of Landart Landscapes.