HORSE HAVEN

This six-acre horse property in Sydney’s northern suburbs is a definite showstopper

Carrol Baker

The once rambling landscape of this property is now a series of captivating garden rooms, designed by Michael Cooke and built by KMD Outdoor Construction. Kieran Devlin from KMD says the complex construction was completed over three stages in 2016, 2017 and 2018, with KMD returning in 2021 for the final stage. The work completed so far has transformed the property into a beautiful rural sanctuary.

“The garden was previously disjointed, disorganised, dishevelled and run-down,” says Kieren. “The new design has transformed the garden into a magnificent open, flowing, interesting, eye-catching garden where each major element is linked.”

The garden flows as a cohesive whole because of the clever use of beautiful organic materials such as cobbles, stone walling and blade walls that serve to define, segment and yet visually link spaces. The attractive sesame cobbles add a touch of continental flavour, laid in an intricate European fan pattern at the stable entrance and interior, front-gate driveway entrance, garage and parking bays.

The striking entrance pillars, masonry walls over the culvert and new blade wall are clad in Berrimah walling, which has a beautiful distressed look that resembles traditional sandstone. The Arbon tumbled limestone step treads in a modular format inject a modern element and tie it all together.