Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Garden Articles >> Landscaping

A Melbourne Backyard Designed for Family, Music, and Outdoor Living

Andre and Emma Roberts have been in their band, Blue Vinyl Lounge, for 15 years (she sings, he plays bass). Their fun acid-jazz-funk sound pulls from indie pop, blues, jazz, and classical. When they renovated their Melbourne backyard, they worked with landscape designer Steve Taylor to create a space blending design styles and features in a fun, relaxed way. "We wanted the exterior and all elements to really look and feel loved as well as look great," says Emma. "We really didn't want something soulless."

C.O.S Design | Photography by Tim Turner

Backyard at a Glance

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: 66 ft (20 m) wide, 26 ft (8 m) deep; 39 ft (12 m) deep at the pool

"I started with a picture of my feet on the rocks at the beach on holidays," Emma says. "There was a great color palette in that photo." She returned to it throughout the project, working with Taylor to create a timeless landscape with a bit of sharpness.

"We wanted a space where family and friends could gather, eat, and feel relaxed," Emma says. A growing family drove the design. With three kids (14, 12, and 10), they wanted a space "inviting to teenagers, so our kids would have more excuses to hang out at home with their friends."

C.O.S Design

The backyard renovation occurred simultaneously with a home remodel. The Roberts reworked their house to spill easily into the backyard. Emma wanted the interior-exterior connection seamless but always pulling people outside. "We wanted the exterior to be the hero of the whole project."

C.O.S Design

A new yoga and music studio extends into the backyard (Emma teaches yoga). The studio's doors slide completely into its walls for impromptu backyard concerts. "I originally toyed with removing the tree," says Taylor, but the homeowners insisted the mature ash stay. He built the yellow stringybark deck around it. The off-center ring breaks up the space and provides a focal point.

A pizza oven and outdoor dining area sit in one deck corner. "Espaliered lemons and limes enhance the food preparation space," says Taylor. "The challenge was to not make the space feel cluttered." He kept the deck's central area clear and located activity features around the perimeter. "All elements relate—which I think helps give it that sense of soul," says Emma.

How to get a pizza oven for your patio

C.O.S Design

A raised pool nearly 30 feet long runs along the yard's side. The pool was a priority, but extensive tree roots and large rock "floaters" prohibited deep digging. "In this area rocks can be as little as 8 inches under topsoil, and as big as an SUV," says Taylor. He selected the yard's deepest part to avoid the root system while leaving the backyard available for entertaining. Home rooms overlook the lap lane extending along the side yard.

Pool: Serenity Pools

C.O.S Design

The 1930s house retains original clinker bricks, so Taylor built a recycled-brick feature wall along one pool side. Steel arbors with recycled hardwood inserts frame the pool area, stained in Cutek's Black Ash oil.

C.O.S Design

Clumping slender weaver bamboo (Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis') along the pool perimeter softens geometry while enhancing privacy.

Tips for growing bamboo by the patio

C.O.S Design

A rear water feature adds interest and conceals pool equipment, made of rough-sawn silver ash finished like the pool arbors. Continuing bamboo screens the rear yard. The hot tub's infinity edge and glass mosaic tile match the pool's. A large concrete slab doubles as a spa seat and bar for those outside.

C.O.S Design

LEDs illuminate the bar's underside at night. A glass railing and wood steps lead up to the pool.

C.O.S Design

Guests can sit on the deck edge and enjoy the sunken fire pit area, shown at night. Nestled between deck and pool, the fire pit creates another gathering space. The hot tub sits about 4 feet above the fire pit, eliminating the need for a safety fence.

Underplantings of Cliveas, Arthropodiums, creeping thyme, and prostrate rosemary soften the fire pit area. Bamboo continues around the yard's perimeter.

C.O.S Design

Though Emma hoped her kids would want to use this backyard when older, it doesn't look like she'll wait that long. "The ritual of a spa and pizza post footy or basketball is already part of our family culture," she says. "It's awesome to see the kids and their friends winding down after sport on weekends, talking in the spa, having a pizza."