DorsetBottega_Project Gumdale_Driveway

Stage 5 of Project Gumdale was to completely redesign the existing driveway and motor court and included upgrading gardens and lighting.

As per our previous stages, we started with some sketches that captured the look and feel of the European influence that we were trying to recreate. We started by removing over 100 tonnes of waste from the old driveway, as well as excavating and upgrading the drainage and irrigation in the process. The driveway was to be paved in a stunning herringbone pattern in the same style as we had previously done at the grand entrance and used 100 year old bricks to give a timeless feel. We concreted the 150 metre long driveway to ensure the paving had the correct base to last forever. We used 33,000 bricks to create this European vision complete with grass inserts and romantic gardens and lighting.

It took us only 5 weeks to complete with our extended team of 15 hardworking artisans. We were very time frame focused so as not to inconvenience our clients as there was no vehicle access over the 5 weeks of construction. It was a huge effort by our team to get it completed on time, but very rewarding indeed to see the final product.

To simply walk down the driveway takes you to another place, perhaps even to another time.

DorsetBottega_Project Gumdale_Pool&EntertainingArea

Our wonderful clients in Gumdale contacted us to redesign and refresh their existing pool area. They wanted to add some beautiful additions to create an entertaining area to match the level of detail that we had created in other areas on their property.

The brief included –
• Rectifying existing drainage issues
• Removal of all the existing tiling, lawns, and fencing
• Design and construct a new outdoor fireplace and pizza oven
• Fire pit
• Raised picking beds
• Recycled brick feature walls, stairs, and garden edging
• Gate and panel joinery
• Arbour
• Irrigation
• Frameless glass fencing with automated gates
• Cobblestone and travertine tiling including drop edge coping
• Lawns
• Gardens and feature pots

We shared sketches and numerous Pinterest boards before settling on a concept that captured the scope and ambience that our clients dreamed of.

The project took 8 weeks to complete with much of the work being one off in design and all completed by our team of artisans.

The clients were over the moon with the final outdoor space, and we were soon discussing stage 5 which was to be the most exciting works to date!

DorsetBottega_Project Gumdale_Fence&GrandEntrance
One of our favourite projects to date is Project Gumdale.  The project began with a simple conversation with our clients who had been searching for someone to build their dream fence and entrance. The design process began shortly after with some hand-drawn sketches that were discussed extensively. From the beginning it was very important to establish the desired theme. Being far from a simple fence there was a lot of care and time taken to source the right materials. 

The joinery of the fence was all made in the Dorset Bottega workshop to ensure exacting details. The 100 year old bricks were sourced from Sydney, the lights were refurbished Russian antiques, and the house number sign was also custom made.  The fence houses a garden to the front and to the rear.  We designed and built a bespoke security tower to house intercom, cameras and other tech, as well as a services booth to allow easy access for parcel deliveries.

The clients were so pleased with the outcome, that many more projects have been undertaken on the property over the years, including; guest house court yard, main house three garden refurbishment, partiere garden including fountain, pool and entertaining area including fire pit, outdoor fire place, extensive brickwork and joinery.  Last but not least, we have recently completed the driveway and gardens. Covering more than 600m2 with each brick hand laid with care and attention.