For Sunshine Coast homeowners Brendan and Nichole, creating a pool feature wall was central to their renovation plans. More than simply modernising their outdoor space, they wanted to create a private retreat that would feel like a holiday destination all year round.
When they purchased the home, it featured an ageing timber boundary fence surrounding the pool. While functional, the fence required constant maintenance, no longer met pool compliance requirements and offered little privacy. By replacing it with ModularWalls’ SlimWall® Aluminium, Brendan and Nichole transformed a practical boundary into a striking pool feature wall that now anchors their entire outdoor design.
Image credit: Laureen Carruthers
Creating a home you don’t need a vacation from
The inspiration for the renovation came from an unforgettable holiday in the Cook Islands. Captivated by the turquoise lagoons, lush tropical landscapes and relaxed island atmosphere, Brendan and Nichole wanted to recreate that same feeling at home.
“We believe in the saying, ‘You should create a home you don’t need a vacation from.’
We wanted a space that was calm and relaxing. We’re all really busy, so we wanted a space that we could come to, on an afternoon, evening, weekend… that we could just relax and chill out.”
Their vision centred on creating a backyard that felt like a private resort: somewhere to unwind, entertain family and friends, and enjoy every day.
Replacing an ageing timber pool fence
The existing timber fence had reached the end of its life. Years of exposure to the Sunshine Coast climate meant ongoing maintenance was needed. Additionally, the fence no longer met the required height for pool compliance.
Brendan and Nichole needed a solution that could serve as both a boundary fence and pool fence while providing greater privacy, security, and long-term durability.
After exploring several options, including traditional masonry walls, they found ModularWalls offered exactly what they were looking for.
“We looked at different options; ModularWalls was one of the companies that consistently came up… and then doing some investigating, we found we could DIY it.
ModularWalls ticked all our boxes. Privacy, security, durability, noise reduction, aesthetics, beauty and price.”
A pool feature wall with a personal touch
Rather than simply replacing the old fence, Brendan and Nichole saw an opportunity to make the wall one of the defining features of their backyard.
As soon as they discovered ModularWalls, the idea for a custom mural began to take shape. Drawing inspiration from the Cook Islands, North Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, they transformed the smooth wall into a vibrant piece of artwork that reflects their personality and love of tropical living.
“As soon as we saw this type of wall, the idea to paint a mural was born. We believe your home should be a personalised space that tells a story. A place that brings you joy.
The mural brings our love of tropical landscapes, nature, the Sunshine Coast and Island life into our backyard. The colours and plants were inspired by those found in our local landscape as well as the Cook Islands and North Queensland. The blue is a homage to Aitutaki Lagoon – a stunning place that has left an indelible mark on our hearts.”
The pool feature wall now provides a stunning backdrop to the pool while helping connect every element of the outdoor space.
Pool feature wall privacy
With neighbouring homes surrounding the backyard, privacy was one of the couple’s highest priorities. They wanted the pool area to feel secluded without sacrificing the open, welcoming atmosphere of the design.
“We wanted the flow of the pool area to come from the house and through into this space. So the ModularWall creates that external room.”
The solid wall creates a sense of enclosure that makes the backyard feel like a true extension of the home, while also helping minimise surrounding noise.
“We had the bonus of the noise reduction…It’s quiet. It’s private. It’s got soundproofing capabilities to it.”
The result is a peaceful outdoor retreat where the family can relax without feeling overlooked.
A DIY project that exceeded expectations
As passionate DIY renovators, Brendan and Nichole appreciated the opportunity to install the wall themselves.
Compared with a traditional masonry wall (which would have significantly increased overall project cost), ModularWalls allowed them to achieve a premium architectural finish while saving on labour.
“Honest truth, we initially were thinking of putting a Besser block wall up, but the cost was fairly prohibitive. And ModularWalls came in with a similar aesthetic, but a fraction of the cost. ModularWalls came out far more cost-effective than many other choices.
“It was something that we could put up ourselves. And we’re DIYers from way back. The fact that we could undertake that task and have it look like this… it’s a testament to the quality of the product.”
Installation proved straightforward thanks to the well-designed system and clear instructions, allowing the project to be completed over a single weekend.
“We found the installation process easy as the instructions in the manual were clear. The quick installation process was a pleasant surprise and essential to our needs.”
Built to handle the Sunshine Coast climate
Living in a coastal environment means durability is equally important as aesthetics. Brendan and Nichole wanted a wall that could withstand harsh sun, changing weather conditions and everyday family life without requiring constant upkeep.
“We needed something that was going to stand the test of time. Knowing I’ve got something that’s got strong structural integrity, that has got noise-reducing abilities, that looks good, that’s waterproof. It’s beautiful. It’s practical. Low maintenance.”
The durable finish has given them confidence that the wall will continue performing for years to come.
“Durability and performance are really important, especially for this area. Both our neighbours really like the fence, its aesthetic and its durability.”
A backyard that feels like a holiday
Looking back on the renovation, Brendan and Nichole say the wall has become much more than a practical boundary: it has completely transformed how they experience their home.
“We’re really happy with what we got from ModularWalls.
It’s beautiful. It’s practical. Low maintenance. And we couldn’t have asked for better. It’s exactly how we imagined it.
The walls completely transform the space. It really feels like our own private resort at home.”
Today, their SlimWall® pool feature wall delivers privacy, pool compliance, durability and low-maintenance performance while providing the architectural centrepiece that ties the entire backyard together.
For Brendan and Nichole, replacing an ageing pool fence became the catalyst for creating the outdoor retreat they had always imagined. Their new pool feature wall defines their backyard, creating a beautiful, functional space where every day feels a little more like a tropical escape.
Project information
Texture Paint – Rockcote Toscani Painted Render in Taubman’s Torte.
Mural Paint – Haymes Solashield Ultra Premium Exterior
Colours (Dulux) Spritzig (light blue), Harpoon (dark blue), Strawberry Surprise (light pink), Grand Poobah (dark pink), Banksia Leaf (dark green) Mangrove Leaf (mid green), Plantain (light green) Golden Orange (orange). Tints and shades of each colour were made by mixing white and black dulux outdoor paint with the coloured Haymes Solashield paint.
Pool – Sunshine Coast Plunge Pools
Glass Fence – JT Glass Installations
Aluminium Fence – Fence World
Umbrella – Mimosa Andaman 3.5m Cantilever umbrella
Outdoor Setting – IKEA
Plumbing – F&M Plumbers and Drainage
Electrical – Amos Electrical
Concreting – Chris Campbell
