According to Garden Designer Phillip O’Malley, this modern Gold Coast house is fairly typical of waterfront properties – very large homes built on small blocks. The site was fully landscaped and the existing floral garden was very pretty, but it just did not work with the big, imposing house. The effect was bland, and the peachy coloured paving only made things worse. The paving was also very slippery, especially in wet weather. So when Phillip set to work, he was aiming to give an earthiness to the site, and to create “positive energy within the garden”.
How it was done
The house was already rendered with a specially fine grade of crushed stones (like pebblecrete). Porphyry stone quarried in northern Queensland was used for the paving, and as it was laid, Phillip turned up the gold/bronze side to add to the earthy tones in the design, and match the pebblecrete on the house. Apart from the beautiful colours in the Porphyry stone, it’s also very hard wearing, and great for wet areas like pool surrounds because it’s non slip and salt resistant. Sculptures were made by Stephen Hart under Phillip’s direction from recycled bridge timbers and copper, and their spirals, domes and twists are very positive energy points. The swan neck fountains are laser cut copper and the water flows through beautifully, and in perfect balance.
The plants
Simple but strong use of plant material helps to prevent the big house dominating the garden. Spindle palms (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii) are used as vertical elements – they come from the Mascarene Islands and have fragrant orange flowers. Japanese box (Buxus microphylla), Moses in a basket (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Hawaiian Dwarf’ often sold as Rhoeo discolor ‘Hawaiian Dwarf’), black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’), and liriope (Liriope ‘Evergreen Giant’) complete the picture. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) recycled from the original garden add a semi architectural form along with softness and colour. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is mounted on a frame allowing the vehicle gate to slide behind. This feature works really well at night under lighting, in fact the garden takes on a fantastic and mysterious new look after dark.
Contact information
Phillip O’Malley, PO Box 313, Pomona, QLD, 4568. Phone (07) 5485 2858. Web: http://phillipomalleygardendesign.com.au
Guillotined Porphyry stone pavers cost about $120 per square metre. For further details, ring your nearest stockist:
NSW: JML International Pty Ltd, phone: (02) 9956 3859, fax (02) 9437 4060
NT: Darwin Slate Shop Pty Ltd, phone: (08) 8947 1173, fax (08) 8947 5050
WA: Meteor Stone, phone: (08) 9309 4577, fax (08) 9309 4725
SA: Stonecraft Pty Ltd, phone: (08) 8352 6337, fax (08) 8352 2918
VIC: Alan Patrick Pty Ltd, phone: (03) 9654 8288, fax (03) 9650 5650
QLD: Porphyry Stone Products Pty Ltd, phone: (02) 9956 3859, fax (02) 9437 4060