The adjacent woodland is embraced with layers of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Small specimen trees are placed at key locations for visitors to appreciate their soft flowers, seasonal color, and graceful habit up close, while the lawn becomes a soft mixture of low-growing flowers and sedges.
This plant-centric design intentionally uses a biodiverse range of native plants, offering year-round visual interest and valuable habitat for wildlife.
A Romantic Design Story
The design developed through several iterations, each centered on a romantic theme of soft color, privacy, and connection to nature. The existing knee wall and fireplace — with its weathered brick and clinging vines — are emphasized to heighten the sense of enclosure. Along the foundation, witch hazels bloom after the leaves have fallen, meant to be viewed closely from the interior windows and patio.
For the final design, a living enclosure of possumhaw hollies wraps the fireplace seating area, integrating it with the adjacent woodland for dappled summer shade and vibrant red winter berries. A loose flagstone path connects the property's main access points, letting low-growing groundcover spill over the paver edges.
Materials & Character
- Slate-chip patio and fireplace seating area
- Flagstone path with defined brick edging
- String lights overhead for intimate enclosure
- A soft, mixed lawn of low flowers and sedges
