Today Carl and Bridget’s head-turning Hibiscus Coast home looks completely different to how it looked twenty years ago, thanks to two major renovations. The first was focused on the home itself, while the second renovation was dedicated to creating a stunning outdoor living space, which now serves as a peaceful, tropical oasis for the busy family.

The home's location set the scene for coastal living, and drawing inspiration from a Noosa resort, they worked with Donna Stanish of Seed Landscapes to transform their outdoor space into their new favourite living space. Two keen cooks meant an outdoor kitchen was a top priority for Carl and Bridget, while a swimming pool was a must-have for their teenagers, Jack and Summer.

To connect these two areas, they included an outdoor room complete with two Louvretec Opening Roofs seamlessly integrated into a bespoke timber ceiling, outdoor heating, lighting and a pizza oven that any Pizzaiolo would appreciate.

Given the salt spray and New Zealand's unpredictable weather, another ‘must’ was using top-quality products with durability in mind “We spent a lot of time researching outdoor living products that would stand up to coastal living; any product we included had to tick the boxes of having form, function for what we required, and durability for coastal living,” says Carl. 

“The Opening Roofs bring me the best of both worlds, we can be out here and have shade and shelter as required, or the roofs can be opened up and I can let the sun shine in,” says Bridget, sitting at their outdoor dining table strategically positioned under the Opening Roofs. “Living by the beach means the house is more exposed and four seasons in one day is a real thing! But the Opening Roofs put me in the driving seat so to speak and let me control the conditions out here.” 

A family of readers, Bridget often finds herself out in her outdoor lounge. “I now find myself gravitating to the outdoor living space as my new go-to space. For me, it’s a real cozy nook for me to sit and relax with my book but still maintain connection to the family.”

The return of daylight savings has already seen the family making the most of alfresco weekend lunches that have the habit of turning into impromptu pizza evenings with friends — because it’s now easy for this to happen. “Everyone is comfortable and if the weather changes it means we don’t have to race inside,” Carl says.

The outdoor living area can now effortlessly accommodate a sudden influx of teenagers who can overflow from the main dining and kitchen out to the outdoor living space. “it’s really opened up our home,” says Bridget.

The Ogden’s outdoor living space has become the new heart of their home — the family’s new favourite gathering spot, summed up by Bridget: “I’ve fallen in love with my home all over again."