EASY ENTERTAINING

From the lavishly-appointed outdoor room to the inviting pool, this reimagined garden is now every entertainer's dream

Perfectly positioned to ensure an easy flow from inside to out, the lavish outdoor room offers the family everything they need to entertain day or night, summer or winter. It forms part of an extensive outdoor entertaining zone encompassing a swimming pool and garden areas, all designed with meticulous attention to detail by A Total Concept.

"The outdoor entertaining room was set immediately adjacent to the house, right outside the home's indoor lounge area and kitchen," explains John Storch, landscape architect and founder of A Total Concept. "It runs the full width of the property and was designed as a broad, sunken area.

"Developed for a large family that often entertains large numbers, the outdoor room includes a fireplace, kitchenette, a wall-mounted LCD television and separate spaces for dining and lounging. By simply relocating the furniture, this adaptable area can easily accommodate more than 100 people, which is something the family does several times a year."

Two sections of the roof are fitted with louvres which can be automatically opened or closed as desired, there is a ceiling fan to cool things in summer, and built-in floating timber bench seats. When entertaining, the wide steps that lead up to the lawn area and pool can be used as overflow seating for children.

The gas fireplace, which is set within sandstone-clad surrounds, makes a strong visual statement while helping to engender a relaxed mood. The contemporary, custom kitchenette sits on the other side of the outdoor room in front of a detailed timber screen designed to swivel on a hinge to provide access to a side garden area.

The kitchenette incorporates built-in timber cabinetry, an off-form concrete splashback and benchtop with waterfall edges, an under-mounted sink, and a stainless-steel fridge, dishwasher, barbecue and wok burner.