This project called on my inner historian. The client’s main objective was to create a traditional and lush landscape for their newly constructed colonial revival home while crafting a space for their young family to thrive. By using mature plantings to layer the garden, adding an S-curved drive to draw attention to the front entrance and create a sense of depth, and building a patio with a grand fireplace, we created an exquisite landscape for this luxurious home.
Although the home was built in 2014, the client’s main goal was to create a sense that the home had always been there. We accomplished this by transplanting mature specimen plantings that preexisted on the site, prior to teardown. Included was a Paperbark Maple that became a prominent feature in the front yard. We used old-fashioned flowering plants such as weigela, hydrangea, azalea, iris, peony and lilac around the foundation, and larger broadleaf and coniferous evergreens around the perimeter in order to create a buffer from the neighboring homes.
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This combination creates for a verdant and interesting landscape in all four seasons. The driveway is aligned with a gentle S curve, drawing the eye to the grand front entrance of the home. By aiming the cars toward the front door instead of the garage we created a more formal and dramatic feel to the approach. We designed a patio space that was comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate the clients’ two teenage children and their friends while drawing upon the architectural lines and proportions to marry the home to the landscape. We added a large warm-toned granite fireplace next to an outdoor kitchen complete with two seating areas for both entertaining and cozy family dinners.
I really enjoy working with new homes, as they afford me the opportunity to provide an established sense of place in the landscape. This project included many of the quintessential neocolonial elements which led to a garden steeped in history and ready for beautiful new memories.
