Transforming an Overgrown Garden into a Beautiful Space for Outdoor Living in Remuera, Auckland

A Property with Potential

When Amy and Matt bought their Remuera villa, the size of the garden was a prime attraction. However, their outdoor space was very overgrown, with boulders and a large hump inhibiting the area’s potential. 

They envisaged a versatile area for outdoor living, one that would be ideal for their children to play in while also providing functional space for entertaining and relaxation when guests came to stay. With a new baby on the way and summer fast approaching, Amy and Matt wanted a landscaping transformation completed by Christmas so they could make the most of the summer weather.

Finding The Right Balance

Cautious about cost, Amy and Matt met with Zones Landscaping Consultant Kate Ryan who used her extensive experience and design skills to suggest how they could bring their vision to life using the budget they had available.

Kate explained that transforming both the front and back outdoor areas wouldn’t be possible with the amount they wanted to spend. So, Matt and Amy decided to leave the front section as it was and focus on upgrading the back of the property into a sleek and modern space. Careful planning meant that a realistic budget could be calculated before any work began. 

Creating A Plan

Amy and Matt had two top priorities for their backyard: remove overgrown palms to enable a large lawn, and create a stylish decking area where they could relax with, and entertain, family and friends.

Kate’s concept design met those priorities while also considering some practical issues. Paving was needed to create a walkway between the decking and the steps at the side of the property, some of which had rotted away and needed to be replaced. A louvre system was included to provide shade and protect the furniture on the decking from rain. 

Once the detailed design had been finalised, a final quote was provided along with an estimate of when the work would be completed. Having an accurate timeframe was very important for Amy and Matt, as they wanted to be sure the work would be finished before their new family member arrived. They confirmed they were happy for the work to start.

The project required both major excavation and sowing a new lawn. From past landscaping experience, Kate knew it would be best not to begin when bad weather might cause issues or delays. They agreed that the work would start in September to be finished in time for Christmas.

An Unexpected Challenge 

Kate and her team managed the entire transformation and were right on hand when things didn’t quite go to plan.

A major stormwater pipe was discovered where the holes for the new retaining wall posts were supposed to go. The team were able to avoid delays by doing an on-site redesign, repositioning some of the old garden’s large feature rocks to help keep the soil in place. 

Using Zones Landscaping gave Amy and Matt confidence that their garden transformation would be expertly managed through every phase of the project and down to every detail. They also didn’t have to worry about informing the contractors about changes to the plan as this was all taken care of. 

Thanks to the professional expertise of Kate and her team the work stayed on track and the garden was completed in time for summer.

A Beautiful Garden The Whole Family Can Enjoy

Amy and Matt are delighted with the outcome. The large lawn provides a level area for children to play on, while the removal of overgrown plants and palms has added extra light and opened up views of the surrounding area. 

The Kwila decking seamlessly connects the inside of the house with the garden and is an ideal place to enjoy a family barbeque or drinks with friends. LED lights provide nighttime ambience and the Pacific Outdoor Solutions Louvre with automatic rain sensor means the garden can be enjoyed in all weathers.

Would you like to discuss your home landscaping ideas?

Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Landscaping Consultant.