This season’s courtyard trends offer pockets of Europe and Asia that are set to ensure serene summer sanctuaries.  Since ancient Europe and Asia, courtyards have fulfilled the function of integrating the outdoors with the inside areas of the home, adding a sense of warmth, light and tranquillity even in the coldest of climates.

A recent trend in contemporary architecture sees the design of homes centered around courtyards as they extend the living space as well as the line of sight.  James Metcalf, director of SmartStone, says that no matter what courtyard style is selected, it is important that its design reflects the style of the home. “For example, a French Provencal or cottage garden would work well with an older home or one that has a Victorian or Edwardian feel while it wouldn’t necessarily suit a contemporary-style home.”

He says that when creating the design of a courtyard, home owners should rather choose a single theme and work from there. “For example, if you choose a Japanese courtyard garden, select elements that will complement the theme such as stone lanterns and koi ponds. Resist the temptation to combine themes as this can give it a cluttered, cumbersome feel.”

Metcalf provides a few tips on creating the ideal courtyard space:

The Mediterranean courtyard
A Mediterranean courtyard is generally low in maintenance and can suit a small or large space. The use of large garden pots with evergreens such as Laurels or Olive trees or pots filled with geraniums add colour and richness, creating a striking appearance. A lemon tree in a large terracotta pot can also give the courtyard a Mediterranean feel as will lavender, rosemary and oregano. Metcalf says that simple ornaments work best, but that these should be kept to a minimum in a small garden. “A water feature placed in the centre of a terracotta-edged pond or an aged wooden wheel against a wall will give your courtyard a strong focal point.  The use of irregular pavers such as SmartStone’s Old Cape range in a walkway and a central tiled section in either yellow, green, orange, blue or terracotta will bring the look together. The wall behind a fountain or braai could also be tiled to complete the theme.”

The French courtyard
The romance of rural France brings a sense of timeless beauty to the courtyard garden. Peeling paint, rusted metal objects with a side order of moss give it charm, while iron furniture is distressed to give it an aged, antique look. Potted trees as well as pruned lollipop plants work well.  Strategically placed stone angels or cherub sculptures and terracotta pots with a mineral encrusted appearance, complete the look. Garden beds of blue lobelias, camellias and pansies with a French-styled bench next to a gravel path edged in long flat pavers also work well in this application.  SmartStone’s Karoo and Inhaca colour is perfect for this. A fountain creates a solid focal point while walls work well with plaster in earthy tones.

The Cottage courtyard
A cottage garden is a profusion of foliage - overgrown, luscious and colorful.  Mixing colour and texture with height and variety is the order of the day. Plants such as hydrangeas, roses, hollyhocks and lavender work beautifully, especially with a creeping wisteria climbing an iron gazebo or pergola, as does a hidden romantic garden bench or a clad wall with pebbles on the ground. Sundials are a popular choice in the cottage garden along with twisting cobbled paths with thyme growing out of the spaces in between the cobbles.

Contemporary courtyards
The contemporary courtyard pays attention to water economy meaning plants are kept to a minimum. Hardy, water wise vegetation such as Echeveria should be combined with large areas of hardscaping elements. Balance, structure and form define the contemporary style, which should include a focal point such as an enormous white bowl as a water feature. This can be filled with white pebbles and surrounded by flat sandstone pavers edged in pebbles. The use of colour, as found in Smartstone’s Escourt range of pavers, is important here as it will complement the overall design. To achieve this, large oblong containers can be painted bright blue or red and arranged symmetrically.  A large pot on its side filled with pebbles is also a popular choice as a focal point.

Japanese courtyard
A Japanese courtyard is meant to soothe the soul with its clean, simple style and sense of balance. The style works well for a large or small space and complements the contemporary home. Japanese gardens should include a balance of both fauna and ornamental elements. The décor elements can include water features, bamboo fencing, a cobble stone path and a variety of stone features from bridges to lanterns and benches.  Water is a very important element for the Japanese courtyard, whether it be in the form of a pond or fountain. Placing a rock in the middle of a garden pond helps to create a strong focal point while vegetation should be kept simple, lush and green. In a smaller garden a few birdbaths grouped together with moss planted in between will also do the trick.  Flowers such as jasmine, azaleas and water lilies can be used while plants such as bonsai, oriental trees and shrubs can provide the greenery.

Ideal for whichever design you choose, SmartStone manufactures a variety of hard landscaping products that will help you create the ideal ambience in your courtyard sanctuary.