When our clients began developing their new home, they were passionate about the landscape design being a critical component to the overall direction of the property. They dreamed of a garden design that would surround & embrace the home at every turn. In the interest of reducing maintenance & water-use, they also wanted a landscape design that was completely devoid of any traditional lawn or grass. Instead they wanted the feeling of a lush garden outside of each window & doorway. We loved the direction of this landscape design & were thrilled to craft it for our clients.
Our clients’ new home was to be a truly beautiful representation of Tuscan-style architecture & design. It would feature a gorgeous tower entryway, sweeping archways throughout, & a rich stucco finish. The entire home would be structured around a spacious courtyard space. It would feature dozens of windows & French doors to further accentuate the views of the garden space outside. Surrounding the perimeter of the home would be a border of garden spaces that would need to have a shared rhythm & beauty that would allow the view to feel consistent regardless of where you are in the home.
We began by looking at the dramatic front of the residence. From the soaring tower to the sweeping lines of the driveway, we knew the front landscape had to make a statement. We were limited by space due to the needs of the driveway & the footprint of the home but we saw this as an opportunity to be creative. We used a lush combination of towering Canary Island Palms & Mediterranean Fan Palms to give an immediate scale to the landscape that would feel proportional to the home. We also used a boxwood hedge to trace the lines of the driveway & even further accentuate its curves. Within these planters we also made use of plenty of Hydrangeas & Azaleas to take advantage of the northern exposure.
Stepping through the archway of the tower & approaching the front door, we wanted to again make a dramatic statement at this critical point. We incorporated a gorgeous fountain here to this highlight space. Now whenever our clients open the door to welcome in a guest this beautiful fountain brings the relaxing sound of falling water into the residence. Neighboring the front fountain area is a gorgeous meandering pathway that leads one around the entire property. We used concrete pavers to create a more attractive path & again highlighted it with a lush boxwood hedge. Surrounding the pathway, one will find a rich variety of evergreen & deciduous trees to give interest throughout the seasons.
At the center of the property is a spacious courtyard garden that is visible from nearly every room of the house. French doors welcome you in from different rooms & allow you to take in a different view depending upon where you are in the residence. Within the courtyard, we created a beautiful fountain feature using antique ceramic pots. Their rustic tones accentuate the timeless feel to the space. Surrounding the fountains are a diverse array of drought-tolerant plant species. From beautiful Agaves & Aloes to bold blooming perennials, the courtyard offers a bouquet of colors & textures.
Our clients set out to build their dream home & a garden that fit that vision. We were so thrilled to be part of this process & to bring this truly unique garden to life.
