cool change Our guide to creating a shady haven has your outdoor space from deck to garden covered

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1 {shade} outdoors cool change Our guide to creating a shady haven has your outdoor space from deck to garden covered WORDS KYLIE JACKES WE ARE A nation of outdoor lovers, but sometimes our scorching summers can be a little too hot to handle. This year, don t let the heat drive you indoors here s how to transform every zone of your outdoor area into a cool refuge. > PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC VAN LOKVEN/FEATURES & MORE PRODUCTION WILMA CUSTERS Shield your dining setting from the sun with a weatherproof umbrella; get this look with the Kaleido umbrella frame and canopy, $64.95, Bunnings. homebeautiful.com.au {NOVEMBER 2014} 173

2 gardens Escape the heat in an open-air oasis enveloped in greenery PLANT SELECTION In any open area, plants are a key cooling element think tall trees that create a leafy canopy, or vines growing overhead. Research which species suit the prevailing climatic conditions and soil type in your garden, advises Mark Browning of Cycas Landscape Design. Deciduous trees (see a list of examples, opposite) are a great choice as they create dappled shade in summer, provide wonderful seasonal colour variation and filter sunlight in the cooler months. There s a wide range of medium-sized deciduous trees, and in general they require far less upkeep than evergreens, adds Mark. POSITIONING Before you pick up your shovel, consider the size of your garden, how much sun it receives and where you d like to create shade. Be aware of the plant s size once it reaches full maturity and allow sufficient space for it to grow upwards and outwards, says James Dawson of James Dawson Landscape Design. Planting too close to homes and pathways can result in unruly roots and branches causing havoc with paving, pipes and foundations. WALL AND ROOF GARDENS Don t limit your shade choices to traditional trees a leafy green wall or vertical garden naturally cools its surroundings. These insulating benefits can also extend overhead by training creepers and vines to grow over vertical structures for a natural shade canopy, as pictured above right and opposite. >

3 PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING (THIS PAGE & OPPOSITE, BOTTOM RIGHT) PAUL GROOTES/FEATURES & MORE/WILMA CUSTERS (OPPOSITE, TOP LEFT) BELEN IMAZ/RBA (OPPOSITE, TOP RIGHT) GAP INTERIORS/JAKE FITZJONES/SHANI ZION Natural shade makers deciduous Chinese tallow tree, ornamental pear, jacaranda, maidenhair tree. Evergreens Magnolia exmouth, tuckeroo, blueberry ash. Creepers Chinese star jasmine, wisteria, bougainvillea. homebeautiful.com.au {NOVEMBER 2014} 175

4 outdoor rooms Chill your pavilion or pergola with a mix of natural and man-made shade

5 PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP RIGHT) DEREK SWALWELL (BOTTOM RIGHT) JOHN DOWNS (TOP LEFT & OPPOSITE) WARREN HEATH/FRANK FEATURES, PRODUCTION (TOP LEFT & OPPOSITE) JULIA STADLER ORIENTATION Pavilions and gazebos offer the best of both worlds; they re open to warm sunshine as well as cool breezes. To capitalise on this, carefully position your structure. North-east is the optimal orientation to capture the winter sun and summer shade, says Ross Hynard of True Form Landscape Architecture. Add a wall or screen along the western side to help block harsh summer sun. LOUVRES, SHUTTERS & FANS Jenny Brown of Luxaflex Window Fashions suggests building half-height walls and installing metal awnings or shutters above. These deflect the sun, yet still allow breeze to flow through, she says. Luxaflex Newstyle polyresin shutters are a smart choice they re UV stabilised so they won t warp, peel, chip or fade. For spaces with a solid roof and several walls (as pictured opposite), a ceiling fan will help keep the heat at bay. Use a model that can withstand the elements, such as the Cabo Frio range (available from Hunter Fans), made from corrosion-resistant aluminium, stainless steel and all-weather plastic. LANDSCAPING Positioned appropriately, trees, shrubs and vines will both visually enhance and cool your pavilion (see a list of suitable plants on page 175). Ross suggests planting trees along the western side to help reduce the temperature inside. Also consider a green wall. As well as aesthetic value, it adds thermal and sound insulation and can help to divide different zones, says Peta Donaldson of Natural Design. > homebeautiful.com.au {NOVEMBER 2014} 177

6 outdoors {shade} CURTAINS & WINDOWS For shade and sun protection, a partially open outdoor room will benefit from a set of curtains (as pictured above). Opt for a weatherresistant fabric, such as Sunbrella acrylic canvas. If your garden room is fully enclosed, shut doors and windows during the hottest part of the day to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. When the sun sets, open up bi-folds and windows to draw in the cooler air and breeze, advises Matt Coates of A Better Life Outside. He also suggests applying window films to glass surfaces; the 3M Prestige Series can reduce the heat entering a room by up to 60 per cent. AWNINGS To shield a room, straight-drop awnings are a popular choice. They can span up to five metres in width to effectively cover large windows and bi-fold doors, and can even be used to enclose patios, says Jenny Brown of Luxaflex. The brand s straight-drop Canvas awning fabrics are both reflective and opaque to keep out heat and block UV light. AIRCONDITIONING For enclosed outdoor rooms with all the bells and whistles, a reverse-cycle airconditioner teamed with a freestanding fan like Dyson s Tower model will allow you to circulate air and control the temperature year round. To determine what sort of airconditioner your garden room requires, check out the Economatch calculator from Fujitsu General. Simply enter information about your room s size, insulation and windows to find the most efficient model to suit your needs, says Marc Cheah of Fujitsu General. > PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT & RIGHT) MARTIN GARCIA/RBA (BOTTOM LEFT) NICK CARTER/HOMES & GARDENS/IPC+ SYNDICATION 178 {NOVEMBER 2014} homebeautiful.com.au

7 outdoors {shade} decks & courtyards keep your cool in an all-weather entertaining space UMBRELLAS & SAILS One of the simplest and smartest ways to cool a courtyard or deck is with an umbrella. Cantilever styles (pictured left) are ideal for entertaining as the pole is positioned off to the side away from the action. Try the Finlay & Smith 3.5m cantilever umbrella from Masters for a flexible and mobile design. Sails are also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. They re cost-effective and come in a range of colours, sizes and UV-rated fabrics, says James Dawson of James Dawson Landscape Design. Best of all, they can be moved to different outdoor areas, like the pool, to create instant shade whenever you need. AWNINGS For versatility, consider a retractable awning, which lets you modulate the amount of shade your deck receives. Folding arm awnings which cantilever from the home are the least conspicuous option, as they re lightweight and don t require structural elements, explains Troy Breglec of Blindmaster. These can be operated manually, via remote control or through a home automation system, with the option of wind, sun and rain sensors that automatically control coverage. They re also easy to retrofit, adds Jenny Brown of Luxaflex. ROOFING For dappled shade, try timber slats overhead or a laser-cut metal canopy. Louvred aluminum roofs or retractable roofs made from translucent or blockout PVC fabric also provide shade, with the added benefit of being water tight when fully closed. PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP RIGHT) NICKY RYAN (BOTTOM LEFT) NICK POPE/HOMES & GARDENS/IPC+ SYNDICATION (TOP LEFT) WARREN HEATH/FRANK FEATURES, PRODUCTION (TOP LEFT) JULIA STADLER 180 {NOVEMBER 2014} homebeautiful.com.au