In the world of luxury outdoor living, each project tells a unique story of transformation. Jason Diamond, Design and Managing Director of Luxury Pools and Outdoor Living talks about retaining walls at one of our most recent projects—an extensive renovation on a steep block in North Avoca, on the Central Coast. This particular site posed its own set of challenges and opportunities, but the result is a stunning fusion of design, functionality, and natural beauty.
Behind the Build | Retaining Walls
With Design & Managing Director of Luxury Pools and Outdoor Living, Jason Diamond
Featured Property | Coastal Cool North Avoca
The Challenge: A Steep Block in North Avoca
Jason begins by explaining the context of the project:
"This house has been here for a long time. It was in need of a full renovation—a DA approval and a complete redo. Our involvement in this project extended to every part of the exterior of the property. Essentially, we designed and built everything outside the home, from the pool area to the gardens and everything in between."
The biggest challenge on this site was the steep slope of the land. The property was a significant drop-off from top to bottom, with the ground literally falling away to the point that it was unsafe and difficult to navigate. "It was all dirt and so steep you couldn’t even walk it," Jason recalls. "This made it almost impossible to access the front door, let alone design a functional outdoor space."
The Solution: Retaining Walls and Thoughtful Landscaping
The first step in the transformation was stabilising the land through retaining walls. These are essential for controlling soil erosion and creating usable, level spaces on a slope. But in this case, the retaining walls did more than just provide structural support—they became integral to the overall design.
"What we've done here is create a series of retaining walls that serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose," Jason explains. "The retaining walls are designed to hug the stairs, allowing the client to safely navigate from the top of the block down to the front door. At each level, we’ve included a garden area to soften the transition between the hard landscaping elements and the natural surroundings."
By carefully incorporating these retaining walls into the design, the team at Luxury Pools and Outdoor Living created a series of terraces that not only served to reduce the slope but also offered beautiful, accessible spaces for outdoor living.
Bringing Gardens to Life: A Vision of Plants and Landscapes
Once the retaining walls were in place, the next step was to bring the design to life with landscaping. In steep, sloping areas like this, the choice of plants plays a vital role in both beauty and functionality. For this project, the team focused on creating low-maintenance garden beds that would thrive in the unique environment while enhancing the overall visual appeal of the space.
"A big part of this process is selecting the right plants," Jason explains. "We’ve included a variety of plants that work together to create a harmonious landscape. For example, we’ve used succulents and zoysia grass, which not only look great but help control weeds over time. Zoysia grass will spread and fill out, acting as a natural barrier to prevent unwanted weeds from taking root."
In addition to these functional plants, the team also used bark mulch and wood chips during the initial stages to temporarily control weeds while the plants established themselves. The end result is a beautiful, layered garden that will continue to mature and fill out in the coming seasons.
"These plants were only recently planted as small to medium-sized specimens," Jason adds. "But already, they are robustly growing and filling in. Over time, they’ll create a dense, low-maintenance garden that will soften the whole outdoor area and give the client a truly stunning view from each level of the property."
Navigating Steep Slopes with Creativity
What stands out in this project is the seamless integration of practical solutions with design vision. Steep blocks like this present a particular challenge, but with the right combination of retaining walls, thoughtful planning, and carefully selected plants, the team was able to create a multi-layered, inviting outdoor living space.
The final result is a sophisticated yet functional landscape that maximises the space, improves accessibility, and transforms a once-challenging site into an outdoor oasis.
Jason concludes:
"This project is a great example of how a challenging landscape can be turned into something truly special. By working with the natural contours of the land and carefully planning every aspect of the outdoor space, we’ve created an area that not only functions beautifully but looks fantastic too."
Looking Ahead
As the plants continue to mature and the landscape evolves, this outdoor space will only get better with time. The retaining walls, garden beds, and pool area will continue to work together to create a serene and functional environment for the homeowners to enjoy for years to come.
At Luxury Pools and Outdoor Living, we pride ourselves on taking on projects that push the limits of design and engineering. Every project is a unique challenge that we approach with creativity and expertise, and this renovation in North Avoca is a testament to what can be achieved.
Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights into our latest projects!
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Explore a world of endless pool possibilities, from stunning infinity edge pools and sleek lap pools to luxurious resort-style designs. At Luxury Pools and Outdoor Living, we specialise in designing and building custom concrete pools and outdoor spaces on the Central Coast. Contact us today on (02) 4304 1638 for your complimentary consultation!
Featured Products & Brands:
Project - Coastal Cool North Avoca | Design & Build by Luxury Pools & Outdoor Living
Ezarri - Carrara Marble Mosaic Tiles from Europe Imports | https://www.instagram.com/ezarri_mosaics/ https://www.instagram.com/europeimportspds/ https://www.instagram.com/ezarri_mosaics/
Millboard - Smoked Oak Enhanced Grain Decking | https://www.instagram.com/millboard_live_life_outside/
Dimension One - Custom white spigots, aluminium caping and frameless glass pool fencing
Artisan Exteriors - Rounds steppers and Matala Limestone pavers | https://www.instagram.com/artisanexterior.au/
Knotwood - Aluminium batten fencing | https://www.instagram.com/knotwoodaustralia/
Remco - In-floor pool cover | https://www.instagram.com/remcopoolcovers/
Naked Pools - Fresh water pool filtration system | https://www.instagram.com/nakedpools/
Cooki Industries - In-floor cleaning system | https://www.instagram.com/cookeindustries
Havit - Exterior garden lights and wall lights from Avoca Lighting | https://www.instagram.com/havitlighting/ https://www.instagram.com/avoca_lighting/
Sunbrella - Outdoor upholstery fabric for custom made daybed and seating | https://www.instagram.com/sunbrella/#
Gosford Quarries - Sandstone retaining blocks | https://www.instagram.com/gosfordquarries/
Sunnylife - Luxe Tube Lilo, Glitter Pool Ring | https://www.instagram.com/sunnylifeaustralia/
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