How the deck is used

Outdoor living

Pools, kitchens, lighting, pergolas and low-maintenance platforms for houses that sit empty through the week.

Low-maintenance decking for Mornington Peninsula houses

Weekenders and rentals cannot oil themselves. How to specify a Peninsula deck that survives salt, tea-tree litter and three months between visits.

James Calder · 2 December 2025

A roof turns a deck into a room and a planning object. How to add shade and winter shelter without cooking the house or collecting a pond.

James Calder · 8 August 2025

Evenings are the point of a lot of decks. How to light steps, tables and trees so you can see the glass, not the bulb.

James Calder · 27 June 2025

A barbecue on boards is not a kitchen. Gas, grease, weight and winter all have to be drawn before the spotted gum is ordered.

James Calder · 14 May 2025

Splash, heat, slip and chlorine change the brief. How to specify a deck around a Victorian pool that will not fry feet or grow a winter rink.

James Calder · 29 January 2025