Region: Inner City

In Newtown, we reimagined an underused townhouse courtyard as a richly layered outdoor living space. The existing garden offered little more than lawn and sparse planting, with limited privacy, amenity and connection to the home. Our aim was to create a garden that made every square metre work harder while still feeling calm, generous and effortless.

A new Galloway limestone terrace extends the internal living area outdoors, creating a welcoming setting for relaxed entertaining. At its edge, a bespoke outdoor kitchen pairs Blackbutt cabinetry and a cast concrete benchtop with a matching timber screen, bringing warmth and fine detail to the contemporary setting. Carefully resolved steps link the courtyard to the garden studio, while integrated lighting allows the space to be enjoyed well into the evening.

Behind the finished garden is a considered upgrade to the site’s drainage. Heavy clay soils were removed and replaced with quality landscape soil, while a new stormwater pit, strip drain and below-ground drainage network help direct water safely away from the home. These unseen works provide a stable, well-drained foundation for the garden to thrive.

Layered subtropical planting brings softness, privacy and year-round texture to the compact site. Advanced trees and sculptural foliage frame the terrace, screen neighbouring properties and give the courtyard an immediate sense of enclosure. The result is a private urban sanctuary: a functional, beautifully crafted garden that expands the way this home can be lived in.

Thinking about transforming your own outdoor space? Get in touch with us to start the conversation.

Paddington – Complete Property Transformation

After downsizing from a rural property to be closer to family, the owners wanted their new home to feel just as connected to the outdoors.

The Growing Rooms team was engaged to install a range of features inside and out of the house including multiple stone-clad feature walls and a large vertical garden. Each section of the house is linked through the repeated use of stone and recycled hardwood creating continuity throughout.

Planting has been carefully chosen to complement these materials, with bold tropical foliage offering textural contrast without demanding too much attention.

The stone walling adds depth and texture and is a beautiful addition to any space. The use of natural stone really allows us to blur the lines between interior and exterior.

A plunge pool complete with waterfall within the internal courtyard provides an escape from the summer heat and creates movement and sound that resonate through the space.

Now, the garden has become part of their daily rhythm — morning coffee among the lush front planting, and relaxed gatherings with family and friends in the newly created alfresco area.

What we created is a harmonious courtyard space where old meets new: textured stone, clean concrete, warm hardwood timber and lush planting, all illuminated beautifully at night for maximum ambience.

Our Vision: Heritage Meets Contemporary in the Inner City

From the start, we set out to honour the character of the existing sandstone wall and rusted iron window bars, while introducing sleek contemporary elements that lift the space. We aimed for a garden that’s restful, expressive, and suited to compact city lots.

Materials & Texture: Bridging Old and New

• We retained the original sandstone boundary wall as a focal heritage feature.
• Filetti cobblestones by Eco Outdoor complement the rustic texture; polished concrete offers a clean, modern contrast.
• Spotted gum hardwood adds warmth and beautiful natural tones against dark painted walls.
• A dark rear wall, painted with high-quality Porter’s Paints, intentionally lets the timber and foliage “pop.”

Planting Strategy & Spatial Illusion

• We selected mostly lower-growing plants to maintain openness in a compact courtyard, with one Japanese maple feature tree as a focal point.
• Foliage was chosen for textural and colour contrast, helping the eye move through the space and giving depth.

Light & Ambience: After Dark Magic

• Outdoor lighting was pivotal. We used up-lighting to highlight the carved texture of the sandstone wall and create dramatic shadows.
• Mood lighting throughout the space allows the garden to be used day or night, turning the outdoors into an extension of the home.

Why This Works in Surry Hills & Paddington and Inner City Suburbs

Urban living in the Inner City comes with constraints: smaller courtyards, less room to experiment, heritage features to respect, and the desire to bring nature into tight spaces. In this project:

• We retained and celebrated heritage fabric (sandstone wall) — a nod to Paddington’s terraces and Surry Hills’ textures.
• Our material choices (timber, stone, painted walls) are durable for inner-city conditions (shade, limited soil, neighbouring walls).
• The planting scheme keeps the space feeling soft and alive without overwhelming the limited square metres.

It’s a small courtyard doing a lot of work: heritage charm by day, a lit, moody retreat by night. If your own courtyard could use the same treatment, we’d love to talk.