Elm grove Garden, Landscape and carport, design & construct

NAME:

Elm Grove Garden

LOCATION:

Kew East, Victoria

STATUS:

Completed

PROJECT SCALE:

Medium Garden

This Elm Grove Garden is a modern upgrade to a classic 1950s home, designed to feel refined, practical, and naturally connected to the original architecture. The existing ‘Northcote Cream’ brickwork and black steel window frames already carry strong character, so our approach was to elevate the home’s presence without overpowering it. The result is a considered landscape direction that balances warmth and structure, while supporting everyday family living from the moment you arrive.

The entry sequence is being rebuilt with a stronger sense of texture and movement, using ‘Endicott’ crazy paving to create a natural, organic pathway that feels timeless underfoot. The irregular stone shapes and split-stone finish deliver a relaxed, premium character, allowing the paving to sit beautifully alongside softer garden edges and flowing planting curves. A recessed outdoor coir mat has also been integrated at the front door, adding a practical detail that helps keep the entry cleaner and looking sharp every day.

A small detail that adds real character is the home’s street identity. The original 1950s street number has been retained as a nod to the home’s history, and paired with a new round wall light above to improve visibility and create a warm glow at night. A recessed brick detail has also been introduced to echo the existing chimney brickwork, helping the new elements feel seamlessly integrated with the original façade. Discreet step lighting completes the arrival sequence, gently illuminating the entry and making it feel welcoming and safe after dark.

We introduced a new carport that reads as a natural extension of the existing 1950s home, carefully designed to respect and enhance the original architectural language and material character. By reusing the home’s signature Northcote Cream bricks as the base, and pairing them with James Hardie Axon cladding and a corrugated roof profile that aligns with the existing form, the new structure integrates seamlessly into the property rather than presenting as a later addition. The result is a refined yet understated intervention that improves everyday functionality while adding long-term value through a practical tandem carport arrangement.

A key detail elevating the project is the use of Blue Ocean Bluestone capping, which provides a crisp, durable edge and a subtle contrast to the lighter material palette. This stone finish not only reinforces the solidity and craftsmanship of the structure but also enhances its visual longevity, ensuring the carport feels considered, robust, and well-resolved. The bluestone capping ties the new work together with a sense of permanence, delivering a polished outcome that balances practicality with architectural refinement.

To complete the street presence, a large parcel letterbox has been integrated into a brick pier that matches the existing home, keeping the frontage consistent and timeless. Designed for modern deliveries, the unit includes a secure locking system with access from the rear, allowing parcels to be safely stored and easily retrieved without compromising the clean front elevation.

This sculptural water feature adds a refined focal point to the front garden, bringing gentle movement and atmosphere to the entry. A repurposed 100-year-old solid stone mortar introduces history and timeless character, while the circulating water creates a soft surface ripple that keeps the space feeling calm and alive. Polished stainless-steel spheres catch the light and reflect the surrounding architecture and greenery, creating a subtle luxury detail as you arrive.

The backyard is centred around a 6.0 x 2.3m Swim Spa and a generous timber deck, creating a relaxed resort-style space for everyday living. The pool safety glass fencing keeps the area open and visually connected to the garden, while sun loungers on the deck make it an easy spot to unwind.

A Swim Spa is a smart way to combine fitness and relaxation in one compact solution. Swim jets create resistance for low-impact training, while hydrotherapy seating offers a comfortable place to recover and reset. With temperature control for year-round use, it delivers the lifestyle of a pool with a more practical footprint and easier ongoing care.

It’s an ideal option for homeowners who want the lifestyle of a pool without the same space and maintenance demands. With big function in a compact footprint, a Swim Spa offers simpler installation and easier ongoing care—making it a smart long-term investment in both wellness and property value.

The elevated entertainment deck is the home’s main outdoor living hub, designed for comfortable hosting year-round. A ceiling fan keeps the space cool, while the built-in BBQ and outdoor kitchen make outdoor dining effortless. With a large seating and dining area overlooking the backyard and Swim Spa, it creates a seamless connection between relaxing and entertaining.

A standout feature of this garden is how it’s been purpose-designed for seamless robot mower integration — a genuine lifestyle upgrade for low-maintenance living. With gentle ramps and smooth connections between levels, the mower can travel freely and reach every lawn zone across the property, including the front garden, rear yard, and even the nature strip. It’s a set-and-forget system that keeps the turf consistently sharp and tidy with minimal effort, giving the owners more time to enjoy the space while the garden quietly maintains itself in the background.

LET’S GET STARTED WITH YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECT!

If you have an idea or just want to learn more, then get in touch with us here! We will get back in touch with you to chat about your project’s objectives and what you want to create.

At PATH we are proud to be an award-winning Design Studio. You can find our award here! Landscape Design and Construction is our specialty so drop us a message, and let’s begin on this journey together.

You can find our award here!