Entertainment Zone

This Zones Landscaping project took the Whiteside family's backyard to new heights.

With a brief from the Whiteside family to create their dream outdoor space connecting to the inside entertainment hub of the home, the Zones Landscaping Specialists in Wellington didn’t initially forecast a helicopter delivery as part of the plan.

As the homeowners Mark and Karina discussed their needs and wants with Zones, the plan developed into transforming a tight space of grass outside the dining and family areas of the home. As it stood, there was no area for their two young children to play safely, entertain guests outside or a designated space for their German Shepherd, Tana. 

Developing a new landscape design

“We had a blank canvas outside which was waiting to be exploited. It has extensive, elevated views of Upper Hutt yet it was essentially just a grass lawn. We wanted to add an outdoor living space that would see our family utilising the area with more frequency including in inclement weather,” Karina explains. The outdoor space was designed to showcase a stunning communal area with a fireplace that would become the standout feature of the property.

Their Zones Landscaping Specialist explains, “The entertaining zone was designed to create a visual aspect with the fire, giving the ability to spend the evening outside in the cooler months enjoying a drink with friends and the fire, hence the added built-in seating.” With the stunning schist fireplace weighing over 2 tonnes, and a drop spot near a large hill drop off on the property, a crane delivery wasn’t possible. “We had flown in a fire to a very tight difficult site before and decided that this may be the best way to achieve the install. This method allowed us to build the base onsite and then fly in and install the main fire body and the chimney,” the Landscaping Specialist says.

Installing a louvre roof system

A louvre roof was also installed to further embrace the idea of an intimate outdoor room, allowing the family to filter the sun or keep the heat or rain out. Smart technology was also used, “We added a rain sensor which closes the roof automatically if it senses rain and the homeowners love this function”. The planting selection required extra thought due to the nature of the high winds and clay soil on the property.

Planting plan

The Zones Landscaping Specialist explains: “We wanted plants that would provide thick green foliage, add pops of colour against the natural tones of the stone, house and timber but also, they needed to be durable for kids, dog and the environment which can be hit with very high winds from the north and the cold southerly.” New steps were also created spanning the full width of the patio, with easy care gravel and raised planters for veggies and herbs.