Modern classic

Featuring a cosy firepit area and inviting pool, this garden is a growing family's dream come true

- Karen Booth

A firepit to gather around with friends, a pool for a cooling dip on a sultry summer's day and places to sit and survey the lush garden the family who call this Sunshine Coast property home have all of this, and more.

"The clients, a young growing family, wanted to better utilise their backyard. They wanted a swimming pool, a casual seating area around a firepit, and an open tiled space for lounges and an outdoor kitchen," explains Leigh Barrett, director of Living Style Landscapes. "The design needed to complement the classic Queenslander-style home but with a modern upgrade."

At first the brief seemed simple enough, but once Leigh visited the site, he found the block to be very steep, with some spots that seemed almost unusable. "There was 2.9m of slope over 5m with thick banana trees growing over the area - it became clear the design process would be challenging," says Leigh.