The Lurline
Randwick
Adam Robinson Design recently had the pleasure of designing a new outdoor space for The Lurline Randwick, a stunning heritage, boutique hotel dating from 1893. The family-owned property had recently been restored and has contemporary, deluxe accommodation and its outdoor areas needed to be kept consistent with the interior renovation and transformed into spaces to be used and enjoyed by guests.
The architecture of this historic Victorian building was an incredible canvas to work with. The courtyard has a stately European charm in keeping with the rest of the architecture. The area is paved throughout so any greenery would be grown in containers, so pots of differing textures were used, grouped into clusters to form vignettes around the central courtyard. The placement of the pots also ensured there were intimate pockets within the garden for guests, with plants acting as privacy screens. Many of the rooms open onto this central courtyard so arranging the green life in this way was imperative.
A wonderful pair of vintage, French, wrought-iron gates mounted against one of the walls acts as a focal point at one end of the garden. The intricate design fits in perfectly with the iron-lacework on the Victorian building, setting the tone for the entire space.
There are four large main pots, strategically placed around the courtyard planted with Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’ or more commonly known as, Crepe Myrtle trees. This is a gorgeous Summer-flowering small to medium sized deciduous tree with dark green oval-shaped leaves that transition in Autumn, turning a rich bronze-red colour before falling. The blooms are quite spectacular, paper-like white flowers that grow in clusters. This is a quick-growing variety with smooth grey bark and a gently weeping habit.
Being North-facing and a commercial space, completely paved with no irrigation system, it was essential the plants selected had to be of a hardy variety that could take these tough conditions. Modern, classic furniture keeps the style and tone of the space consistent with the architecture and interiors with playful sage green and white striped umbrellas to liven up the area. Crisp stripes always smarten up a space.
The garden at the front of the building’s façade had some established Frangipani trees that were an important feature. We added layers, of depth, texture and interest through planting a juxtaposed mix of modern and heritage planting with the hero Frangipani trees.
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Landscape Design Woolhara
ARD were asked to create a garden that reflected the classic and refined style of the house and interiors.