Haberfield

A swathe of brilliant red Canna x generalis ‘Australia’ (Canna lilies) creates a dramatic sense of arrival at the entrance to this impeccably refurbished federation home in Haberfield. Pepo was engaged to design a garden that would fit seamlessly alongside Melocco & Moore’s restoration of the traditional exterior of the house at the front and contemporary renovation at the rear.

In the front garden, layered textural planting frames the house and boundary fences, with species chosen for their vibrant flowers and ever-changing seasonal foliage. A curving bluestone pathway cuts crisply through the immaculate lawn, continuing the journey from gate to door, while a row of Olea europaea (Common Olive trees) provides screening along the driveway.

Venturing through the side gate reveals first glimpses of the contemporary renovation, with the rear garden offering a balanced transition between interior living and outdoor play and entertaining spaces. A casual seating area around a fire pit flows into an outdoor dining space, before reaching a productive garden where the clients, passionate gardeners themselves, tend to herbs, fruit and vegetables growing in the greenhouse and raised garden beds.

On the other side of a reclaimed brick wall, the swimming pool is a welcome oasis, softened with a lush Viburnum screening hedge along the rear fence, and framed with Salvias, Dichondra and Native Violets. The pool layout was designed by Melocco & Moore and installed by Hagan Built, with Pepo selecting the Inax 2×1 tile from Artedomus as a non-conventional reference to the Arts and Crafts history of the home, while the Castro Limestone pool coping from Onsite Supply and Design was chosen as a bridging material to link the various hard surfaces of the house exterior and garden.

With numerous spaces to relax, entertain, grow and play, this Haberfield garden offers a welcoming family home for its owners and a respectful integration of classic, historic beauty and elegant, contemporary design.