Swim among the Gum trees

by Katie Lee

Adrian and Janet Hryb loved their bushland block and after 10 years of living in the Hovea home, they decided it was time to extend the backyard and include a pool for their children, aged 8 and 6, to enjoy.

“It was mostly native bush plus a lawn area,” Mr Hryb said of the original design. “We love the area and the house; we just needed a pool and a backyard upgrade. “Everything needed to flow from the existing decking which had balustrading; we wanted easy-care gardens, which wouldn’t get too big; the pool needed to be close to the decking and the house; and we wanted a view of the bush but the gardens were to have a lusher, partly tropical feel.”

Working with landscaping company Revell Landscaping along with Barrier Reef Pools, Tim Tipping Timber Creations, of Hovea, and MS Blocklaying, of Darlington, the new backyard started to take on a modern yet understated shape. Jenny Revell, director of Revell Landscaping, said her company was brought into the project at the planning phase after it had previously completed the home’s front yard. Revell landscape designer Ina Buttimer worked to the Hryb’s brief of giving careful consideration to the site with minimal impact on the natural bush surround, to expand the living space, including a large decked alfresco area, lower level pool and some greenery to the side.

“Materials were to blend with the existing residence, not necessarily be identical in tone but have some sympathy with the built environment,” Ms Revell said. “This design was greatly influenced by the concept of balance and regular shapes built into a unique natural bushland backdrop. “The elements of transparency and outlook create a seamless view into the landscape, the wide deck steps lead from family entertaining to lower-level poolside seating, and descend further through to an open lawn games area.” Ms Revell said raised feature gardens guided you through the outdoor “rooms”, “creating a backdrop to seating or visual definition for a journey through the garden”. Granite, rendered brick and limestone balance with the warmth of the timber decking.

A 10.5m Venetian fibreglass pool was supplied and installed by Barrier Reef Pools. Director Brad Hilbert said the pool had to be carried sideways through the treed acreage to reach the backyard — a feat that took three hours. “The pool has centrally located steps and a seating area that runs next to the entry point, it provides room to relax though it still keeps the main body of the pool free of any obstructions,” Mr Hilbert said. The Ocean Shimmer pool colour offers a vibrant blue glow against the surrounding bush. An in-ground blanket box keeps the functional fixture out of sight, while the paved aggregate surrounds were sourced from Bonita Stone. Bluestone Wave feature tiles from Italy are clad on a corner feature wall by the pool; their textured surface highlighted at night with a series of uplights.

Site excavation was one of the main challenges during the build, with clearance of dense bush that took more than two weeks. Ms Revell said tonnes of clean fill were then brought in to create the different levels of the new space. She described the new outdoor space as “a blend of spacious, contemporary living embraced with a surround of timeless natural beauty”. “This landscape has many highlights and works as an outdoor space on different levels, from aesthetic natural beauty to the introduction of modern elements,” she said. Mr Hryb said his new backyard as “open, expansive, flowing and interesting”. The open deck with timber platforms was his favourite part.

Barrier Reef Pools Swimming Pool Display Centres

Joondalup Display Centre 24 Ascari Lane, Joondalup. Tel: (08) 9301 1300
O'Connor Display Centre 3/378 South Street, O’Connor. Tel: (08) 9314 1388
Mandurah Display Centre 24a Panton Road, Greenfields. Tel: (08) 9581 8611

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