While blues of sea and sky draw all eyes, an edgy swathe of lawn and sandstone grounds the view.
Perched on a clifftop 80 metres above the ocean, this eyrie could prove a challenge for a landscape designer with an aversion to heights. But Matt Cantwell of Secret Gardens found the project in Sydney’s eastern suburbs so irresistible he quickly put aside his misgivings. That dizzying drawback was also the site’s best asset – the view was jaw dropping. “It is not often that you get to design a garden high above the ocean,” he says. “The sight stops you in your tracks. The ocean is constantly changing. On sunny days with little wind, it appears calming, friendly and sparkling. On overcast days, it is darkly menacing. It can influence or reflect your mood. Not many sites can make that claim.” Adding to the appeal, this would be the second time Matt had teamed up with Bruce Stafford Architects and the owners. “It is always exciting to work for the same client in creating a new garden for them,” he says. “While we understand their tastes, the site and the house will be different, offering a unique set of challenges.”
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The wow factory
The sisters steering Zuster furniture brand put a creative spin on their own industrial zone.
OPEN INVITE
This handsome home in the NSW Southern Highlands welcomes within its walls both generous rural views and a steady flow of guests.
DUAL ACCENTS
American heritage style meets Spanish mission design in this harbourside Sydney home.
Grand vision
It can be easy being green or it is for this house -that cleverly combines lavish spaces and timeless style, while also being kind to the planet.
POWER AND GLORY
An angular concrete structure packs a punch in a new build on an elevated site in Sydney while its interior design offers a softly layered and textured counterpoint.
COLOUR BURST
A joyful exuberance permeates this heritage home reinvented by interior designer Andrew Parr with zesty hues, lively contemporary art and iconic furniture.
LA VIE EN ROSE
Poised above Pittwater in Sydney's north, this weekender is alluringly relaxed - and offers holiday fun for family and friends.
COOL, CALM COLLECTIVE
An ever-changing array of covetable antiques, objets d'art and unique pieces ensure the interiors of this beautiful store has a collected feel and sense of permanence.
BOLD CHOICE
Architect and trailblazer Piero Gesualdi's Melbourne emporium, Mondopiero, is a celebration of timeless design and craftmanship, with a sprinkling of decorative flair.
HIGHER CALLING
In a world that is typically more about me, me, me, quietly luxurious day spa Venustus keeps thriving three decades on with a true commitment to inspired client service.