Located in Melbourne's Bayside suburb of Bonbeach, Nick and Rachael have crafted their forever home that beautifully combines style and functionality. Their new home is a true reflection of their needs and tastes, featuring a stunning outdoor area designed for both relaxation and entertaining. We spoke with Rachael to dive into the details of their thoughtfully designed alfresco space.
Can you describe the inspiration behind the design of your outdoor space? What key elements were important to you?
R: Our outdoor space was designed to combine modern functionality with relaxed comfort. We've got three busy boys (7, 8, and 12) and wanted an outdoor dining and entertaining space design that's perfect for both casual family meals and entertaining. We made sure the space feels like an extension of our home, incorporating a custom dining area and warm lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere. The goal was to create a practical space where our boys can stay active and where we can enjoy good food and great company.
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Featured: Billy Smoker Iconic Chef In-Built Open Fire Cooker • Cabinex BBQ Kitchen (Custom)
What’s your favourite part of outdoor entertaining?
R: The best part of outdoor entertaining is the relaxed, casual atmosphere it creates. We love the simplicity of cooking on the BBQ and serving meals outdoors, where everyone can casually mingle and enjoy the fresh sea air. When you’ve got good food, great company, and a nice setting, it just makes outdoor entertaining so enjoyable and memorable.
What is your favourite dish to cook when entertaining outdoors?
R: We BBQ a lot so have more than a few favourite dishes, but Nick's current go-to for entertaining is a slow-cooked Lamb Shank. Nick sears the lamb on the BBQ grill first for some char and flavour, then slow-cooks it in a red wine reduction with rosemary and garlic. It's a crowd-pleaser and gives him a chance to enjoy a drink rather than serving as a slave to the BBQ. A rich and hearty protein like lamb is a real centrepiece, so any classic sides work nicely – be it crispy spuds in winter or a refreshing summer salad to cut through the richness.
Tell us your must-haves for the perfect outdoor space?
R: For the perfect outdoor space, a BBQ kitchen is essential — it’s the heart of outdoor cooking and entertaining. Cold drinks are within reach and food comes straight off the grill. Alongside that, comfortable seating is a must for relaxing and long meals. I’d also include a well-designed dining area to make serving and enjoying food easy. Good lighting and some greenery help create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
What features in your outdoor space do you find most functional for entertaining and relaxing?
R: The Outdoor Billy Smoker fireplace has been a real hit! Nick likes to watch the footy on the outdoor TV in front of the fireplace, and the boys enjoy toasting marshmallows and cooking homemade pizzas in the cooking chamber of the Billy Smoker.
The outdoor kitchen gets the most use. Having everything within reach makes cooking and serving easy, and it’s a great spot to still watch the kids playing and for guests to gather and chat while I’m prepping meals.
Having previously renovated, how did you look to improve your outdoor entertaining space between this build and the last?
R: We had a bigger space to work with this time, so it was important that we created the ideal outdoor entertainment area that can be used all year round!
