This Inner-City Terrace Garden Feels Like A Luxurious Oasis
Gardens
The Paddington terrace now features a lush garden by Adam Robinson Design.
A new addition opens directly to the outdoor dining area. Plants supplied by Exotic Nurseries.
The plunge spa was designed as a ‘petite pool’. Pool tiles by Artisan Exterior. Polished concrete by Youdell Constructions.
Aloe baberensis (aloe vera) and other small succulents add greenery throughout the paving.
The daybed is the ultimate spot for a lazy day in the sun.
Indoor-outdoor flow was central to the new garden design.
A sculptural cactus adds to the ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ edge of the architecture.
A large olive tree is at the centre of the garden. Outdoor furniture by Parterre Outdoor.
A pathway leads to the towering palm trees.
A small garden lines the upstairs balcony.
Terrace houses are beloved for their heritage charm and enduring character. The only downside is these elegant homes can often feel short on space, with backyards limited to compact courtyards.
But this Paddington garden by Adam Robinson Design is a little bit different.
Located in a tight little one-way street in the urban suburb, the property was originally two traditional side-by-side terraces that were converted into one home before being purchased by the current owner.
‘Studio P gutted the terraces and designed a modern building at the rear, which is linked by a steel and glass walkway,’ landscape designer Adam Robinson says.
This renovation turned the garden the central focus of the home, with all rooms looking into the outdoor space.
‘It had a 90s Mediterranean feel, lacking any personality and vibe,’ Adam says of the original landscaping.
‘The architects were throwing the description rock’n roll around a bit, and I liked the brave edginess this represented. The interiors are all on the moodier side of things, so I ran with this through the exteriors.’
Now, it’s a true sanctuary. The layout of the new garden creates a free-flowing connection between both the old and new buildings, enveloped by succulents and small plantings.
The Italian marble flooring from the interiors continues outside to create an alfresco dining area, as little stepping stones lead to the in-ground plunge spa, which Adam designed to look more like a ‘petite pool’ lined in blue tiles — avoiding the ‘cringe visual image’ that might come to mind when you think of a traditional spa.
At the centre, an established olive tree gives scale and shade to the concrete daybed and barbecue area, while palm trees Howea belmoreana (curly palm) and Pheonix roebelenii (pygmy date palm) were selected for a ‘resort feel’.
Complete with sculptural cacti and a large Aloe baberensis (aloe vera) plant, the resulting garden feels like a little oasis tucked into the inner-city block.
‘I love the plunge spa and daybed over hanging,’ Adam adds.
‘Every garden needs a space [for hanging out] and this one nail it under the canopy of the palms.’