This month, Belle magazine showcased an incredible heritage listed property of grand scale in Melbourne’s inner east. Spring is the season for change and a time to create sanctuary in your garden. Get inspired and take the time to step into the superb formal gardens of this magnificent property designed by leading Australian landscaper, Paul Bengay.
The brief for Bengay, was to curate a garden that represented the same era as the house, ensuring that the style worked cohesively with the classic architecture of the building.
The principals remain the same, whether you are planning a formal, classically designed garden on a large expansive scale, or whether you only have a small courtyard area to work with. Some formalities to consider are repetition, boarders, focal points, symmetry and water features, all of which have been executed perfectly in this Melbourne property.
Start with a focal point that will enhance the style of your garden. Consider placing this in the centre of the garden, which will draw the eye. Choose cast iron elements or terracotta statues, reminiscent of European design. Include archways, a large feature tree, or bring timeless urns and pots to your scheme. A water feature is a peaceful addition to a classic garden, adding tranquillity along with generating movement and sound. This feature can also soften sharp lines within a space and again is effective when placed in a central position to the garden design.
Repetition can elongate an area and give the illusion of making a space look and feel more spacious. It also provides interest, and a sense of structure which is highly important. Boarders created by repetitive planting create symmetry and formal lines for the garden to follow. The considered placement of plants, should work in conjunction and harmoniously with structural elements of a space. For example, marking out planted areas along a pathway, or at an entrance and including contrasting heights, colour and texture will assist with maintaining a formal structure. Flower beds arranged in an organised manner around a focal point is another way to successfully enrich this structured style.
Selecting plants that embody the classic style is paramount. Careful consideration of foliage is essential to ensure the sometimes harsh, rigid lines and strong formality of a space are softened. Lush, green foliage, hedges, climbers, topiary, perennials, and highlights of white flowers can all be included in this style of garden area.
Clean, classic, formal landscapes simply never go out of style. Plan your layout meticulously and following simple organisation principals with an emphasis on proportion, scale and balance.
Trilogy’s Outdoor, Garden & Alfresco Showroom can get you started on this journey of timeless and enduring style.
Enjoy the gallery of images and learn more about Paul Bengay’s design work here.
