Landscape design by Bill Nolan, Homescapes
In the suburb of Khandallah, Wellington, landscape designer Bill Nolan and his team at Homescapes have revitalised a garden for a recently renovated home.
The property owners are a busy couple with teenage children who wanted their newly designed outdoor space to enhance the property’s modern look and provide a relaxing retreat, while also setting a welcoming tone for entertaining friends and whānau.
The Brief
The owners envisioned an outdoor area that would complement their home’s recent interior renovation, especially with the need for a refreshed entrance. Alongside this, they sought a versatile space that could serve both as a functional entryway and an entertainment hub.
The design had to address the property’s challenging access: a steep path from the road and a single entryway meant that every element would need to maximise accessibility and practicality.
The Transformation
Bill and his team approached the transformation with a carefully planned series of stages to overcome access constraints and work with the home’s existing features.
They began by replacing the existing deck with a more expansive one, finished in a light grey stain that subtly blends with the house’s exterior colour. This new deck now serves dual purposes, providing both a welcoming entrance and a spacious area for hosting guests.
To make the entranceway a natural extension of the deck, a set of curved timber steps were crafted, flanked by a Griselinia ‘broadway mint’ hedge that offers privacy for the home’s lower windows. These steps flow down into a series of three floating landings, designed to create a smooth transition to the deck and provide a striking focal point.
Further down, a separate lower deck area was constructed to accommodate a barbecue space with access to the side of the home. Around the deck, raised planters bordered by Travertine stone provide both seating and style. These planters, alongside a newly painted black fence, bring out the beauty of the green foliage while also screening out a neighbouring honeysuckle, adding privacy and elegance to the scene.
Framing the space, bifold doors connect the kitchen with the outdoors, opening up to a big bench seat and neatly placed standard camellias, creating a visual link between the interior and exterior. With the combination of formal planting, sleek finishes, and strategic foliage choices —like Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ and Liriope ‘Monroe White’ — the garden offers a contemporary yet inviting aesthetic. Ligularia reniformis accents the barbecue area, while Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ and Arthropodium ‘Matapouri Bay’ line the entrance steps, adding texture and greenery.
The Result
The result is a simplistic and stylish outdoor space where each element has been thoughtfully designed to meet the family’s needs. The new entrance is both practical and beautiful, while the larger decking area and built-in seating provide ample room for relaxation and socialising.
Since completion, the owners have been enjoying their transformed garden and frequently using the space for social gatherings, finding it both a functional entrance and a beautiful outdoor escape.
Key Plant List:
- Camellia sasanqua Setsugekka (Standards)
- Liriope ‘Monroe White’
- Ligularia reniformis
- Griselinia ‘Broadway Mint’
- Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’
- Arthropodium ‘Matapouri Bay’
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Landscape design and installation by Homescapes
Photography by Bill Nolan
Travertine stone by Natural Stone Imports
Decking by Keyland
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