Terraced Tranquility: Transforming a Steep Sydney Slope

An untouched, steep Northridge (Sydney) site with an unusable sloping lawn and carport view became a multi-level oasis. Landscape designer Ken Pattinson of Art in Green integrated tumbled travertine patios, water features, and soft greenery across a 7-foot grade change on 1,650 square feet.

Level Changes as Design Assets

Several travertine patios connect via elegant stone stairs. Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii, zones 10–12) and lilly pilly (Syzygium spp.) hedges disguise dramatic level shifts, making the garden feel approachable. The carport wall, clad in wood, gains warmth and anonymity.

Zoned Lighting and Water Choreography

Brushed chrome fixtures beckon visitors up stairs, across stepping stones, and over wooden decks. Water feature lighting highlights adjacent surfaces and plant forms. The main vertical spill spans three patios, linking them: water pumps from the lower level to the top, cascades down, with a one-way valve preventing backflow. A rainwater tank off the garage roof maintains consistent levels.

Planting at Water's Edge

Bottom-level plantings include imperial bromeliad (Vriesea imperialis, zones 10–11), sweet flag (Acorus spp.), and spiny-head mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika', zones 8–11). Tiny Trev lilly pilly lines the water; papyrus (Cyperus papyrus, zones 9–10) adds height.

Material Consistency Unifies

Nick Kennedy designed the hardscaping—same travertine on stair treads, water feature coping, and stepping stones. Turpentine (durable Australian hardwood) serves decks, lounge chairs, and carport wall. Japanese boxwood, bay tree, hawthorn, coastal rosemary, and wild thyme are pruned into consistent ball shapes. Repeated materials—turpentine, travertine, cohesive plants—unify the multi-level design.