Surry Hills – From Classic to Contemporary: Inner-City Garden Transformation
Surry Hills – a clever use of materials and textures bridge the gap between old and new
This project in Surry Hills is one of our favourites here at Growing Rooms Landscapes & Pools. An outstanding example of blending heritage charm with modern finesse right in the heart of Inner City Sydney. The clients loved their original sandstone wall and rustic elements, but wanted a garden that felt current, elegant, and functional — especially for compact urban living in Surry Hills.
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 cobble stones 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 Porters Paint, 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, neighboring walls).
- The planting scheme keeps the space feeling soft and alive without overwhelming the limited square metres.
Let’s Bring Your Inner City Garden to Life
Do you live in Surry Hills, Paddington, Darlinghurst, or nearby Inner City suburbs? We’d love to help you reinvent your courtyard or compact backyard into a remarkable retreat — blending character, functionality and beauty.