0 Get in Touch

St Ives Residence

This high-end residential design is a perfect example of how to blend luxury with natural world. Set within an extensive garden that seamlessly transitions into the surrounding bushland, this project transformed an uninspiring space into a true retreat.

Get In Touch
Project by Branch Out Landscape Design
Place Roseville Chase
Project Type Residential
Category Residential
Installer https://www.outdoorresidential.com.au/
https://sareenstone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/banner-mid-Recovered-12.jpg

St Ives Residence

The old pool area, previously a prominent but poorly designed feature, has been reimagined as the centrepiece of the property. The renovation focuses on enhancing the connection between the house and garden, creating additional inviting areas for family and friends to enjoy this beautiful space.

A touch of Modern Meets Timeless Elegance

The pool area’s redesign incorporates eye-catching glass mosaics, bringing a contemporary flair to the space. Balancing these modern elements, our Classic Travertine pavers had been laid throughout. This paving not only defines new areas but also harmonises with the elegant white Sandstone walls and the warm tones of the house brick.

The combination of contemporary glass mosaics and natural stone creates a balanced material palette that feels both sophisticated and inviting. Classic Travertine introduces warmth and texture throughout the landscape, while its timeless appearance ensures the outdoor spaces will continue to complement the home for years to come.

Travertine features prominently throughout the garden, elevating the sense of luxury. A new staircase from the renovated balcony, an expanded pool lounge, and a garden patio ensure a seamless flow around the property. The French Pattern layout of the paving adds an extra layer of sophistication to the overall design.

The Beauty of Travertine

At the heart of the St Ives Residence’s design is the First Choice Classic Travertine. Its neutral beige tones offer versatility, complementing a wide range colour scheme. This Travertine particularly shines when paired with the blues, greens, and peacock colours often found in pool areas and mosaics, while also creating striking contrasts with darker hues.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Classic Travertine is well suited to outdoor living thanks to its durability and natural slip resistance. Used across pool surrounds, terraces and connecting pathways, it provides a practical surface that performs beautifully while maintaining the relaxed elegance of the landscape design.

A Sanctuary Designed for Outdoor Living

In essence, the St Ives Residence is a true showcase of the harmonious integration between luxury and nature. The careful selection of materials, such as Classic Travertine, plays a key role in achieving this balance, resulting in a space that’s not just a house, but a true sanctuary of design and comfort.

The thoughtful integration of natural stone, landscaped gardens and carefully defined outdoor spaces creates an environment that encourages relaxation, entertaining and everyday family living. The project demonstrates how premium materials and considered landscape design can transform an existing backyard into a timeless outdoor retreat.

 

Project Highlights

Classic Travertine Pool Surrounds and Landscaping in St Ives, Sydney

Located in St Ives, Sydney, this residential landscape transformation showcases Classic Travertine throughout the pool surrounds, entertaining terraces, pathways and garden spaces. The natural stone creates a seamless connection between the home, landscaped gardens and surrounding bushland while complementing the property’s contemporary architectural style.

Specified in a French Pattern layout, Classic Travertine introduces warmth, texture and timeless character while providing a durable, slip-resistant surface for everyday outdoor living. The project demonstrates how premium natural stone can elevate pool areas and residential landscapes while creating a cohesive indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

Sareen Stone supplies premium travertine paving, pool coping and natural stone products for residential and commercial projects across Sydney and Australia.

Products Used

Create lasting beauty and functionality with products designed for both aesthetics and strength. Our carefully selected products not only elevate the visual appeal of your project but also ensure long-term durability.

Classic Travertine tiles, pavers and coping for indoor and outdoor spaces in Australia

First Choice Classic Travertine

Other Projects

Project Lowry

Ocean Point Dream Home

Bellevue Hill Homewares Shop

Ramsgate RSL

The Perfect Contemporary Feature Wall

FAQs

What natural stone was used in the St Ives Residence project?

The project features First Choice Classic Travertine throughout the pool surrounds, outdoor entertaining areas, pathways and landscaped garden spaces.

Why was Classic Travertine selected for this landscape design?

Classic Travertine was chosen for its warm neutral tones, timeless appearance and durability, allowing it to complement both the home’s architecture and the surrounding natural landscape.

Is Classic Travertine suitable for pool surrounds?

Yes. Classic Travertine provides a durable, slip-resistant surface that is well suited to pool surrounds, terraces and outdoor entertaining areas.

What are the benefits of French Pattern travertine paving?

French Pattern paving introduces visual interest and a more traditional layout while retaining the timeless elegance and versatility of natural travertine.

Can Classic Travertine be used throughout an entire outdoor landscape?

Absolutely. Classic Travertine is suitable for pool surrounds, patios, pathways, courtyards and outdoor entertaining areas, creating a cohesive landscape design.

Why is travertine a popular choice for residential landscaping?

Travertine combines natural beauty, durability and long-term performance, making it a timeless material for creating elegant outdoor living spaces that complement both contemporary and traditional homes.

TAKE US THROUGH THE INITIAL STAGES WHEN YOU WERE DESIGNING THE HOME.

We were very fortunate to work with the noted Southern Highlands Architect, Martin McGrane, on the creative design and layout of our home. Together with Martin, we created a beautiful, contemporary open plan home to enjoy with our family and friends.  This is our forever home.

Through a friend of ours, we came across an interior designer, and a beautiful outdoor material, the Cathedral Limestone, which we just fell in love with. We worked closely with Peta Daniel, Interior Designer from Daniel Baker Design, based in Sydney.  Which was wonderful, Peta just got us and what we were wanting to achieve in our home and helped us to make it a reality, in the selection of materials and finishes.

 

WERE THERE CERTAIN PEOPLE/PLACES THAT YOU TOOK INSPIRATION FROM WHEN DESIGNING/BUILDING THE HOME?

We were looking for a contemporary design, however, I didn’t want it to be too modern.  Inspired by a property in LA, that my husband came across, which we took some concepts from and added our ideas, and made it our own.

The LA contemporary look and detail leading into the house from the front door was something that we just loved.  Along with having one row of tiles that runs along the inside of the glass sliding doors leading into the living/dining room from the alfresco space was also a unique detail we wanted to include.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING PROCESS?

The build started in February 2020, and with all the delays throughout COVID, material delays, supplier issues, constant rain, mud pools, you name it, we had it!  Encountering all the possible elements, it felt like we were living in gumboots most of the time during the build.  It took 3 years to build the property, and 8 months just to get the roof on!

We had a deadline for our home to be finished by, which was our daughters’ wedding, being held in March 2023.

There were delays happening everywhere, including issues and delays with the quarry who were providing the Limestone that was to be used in all the outdoor areas surrounding the property.  We had chosen Cathedral Limestone in an alfresco finish with a lovely organic distressed finish on the edge, that we knew would complement the other natural materials we were using.  Time was of the essence, and it came to crunch time and the quarry could not provide a guaranteed time of delivery.  We thought what a disaster!

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SAREEN STONE.. AND HOW THE TEAM HELPED TO OVERCOME THE SUPPLY ISSUE WITH THE CATHEDRAL LIMESTONE.

Working closely with Michael Mastro, from Sareen Stone, he had been in constant contact updating me as best he could.  Then an alternative solution was presented, another Limestone of the same size and finish, with similar tones, which I hoped would work and arrive in time.  Sareen Stone had been behind the scenes working closely with another quarry, to create a new product ‘Lavarosa Anticato’, just for our project, so that we had a solution and were able to finish our home in time for our daughter’s wedding.

When the material arrived, we couldn’t have been happier.  We just loved the Lavarosa Anticato, and it worked so well with our colour palette, and love it even more than our previous selection.  We were over the moon!

 

DESIGNER COMMENTS:

Working with Kate and Eugene on this project was wonderful. They were passionate about the overall design but also the finer details and the interplay of the natural materials with the surrounding landscape.

It was very important that the natural material palette was harmonious, and that each element was both complementary and warm.

I’ve worked with Michael from Sareen Stone on a number of projects and have always been impressed with his professional advice and clear communication. The magnificent home warmly wrapped with the “Lavarosa Anticato” is simply stunning.   A beautiful project!

Peta Daniel, Daniel Baker Design

 

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Interior Designer:  Daniel Baker Design, 0414 341 778
Architecture:  Martin McGrane Architects, 0412 242 253
Photography and short film:  Bolt Media, 0426 607 040