Before the renovation, the front yard sloped towards the street with no interesting curb appeal. Steel planters were terraced into the grade as well as a new flagstone path to easily carry traffic to the front door. A front sitting area also adds function to the otherwise unused space. Lush grasses and shrubs add fresh and airy coziness to the home.
O’Neil Ford’s Texas Modern at 3201 Wendover is on the National Register of Historic Places. With 10 acres lovingly restored from an overgrown tangle to a myriad of trails and meadows, it’s been described as “a meditative wonderland.” Photography courtesy of Jenifer McNeil Baker
This simple garden has the added luxury of a shallow sunning pool tucked in the corner of the yard, built out of the ground and within eye level. The lawn is also framed elegantly by a tall planter with breezy grasses and shrubs. To tie it all together, gravel paths create a softer avenue for foot travel.
A series of walled courtyards created by architect Max Levy separates the dining, sitting and strolling areas. A dramatic pool juts into the native grasses and pasture below, while elevated walks allow the owners to view their perennial gardens. The remainder of the site is planted to prairie grass and meadow.
This Bluffview couple wanted to push their home and landscape into the modern era. The subtle tapering of the pool gives the illusion of a longer space, while fine detailing like the water-level spa and the film of water over the step lend a quiet air. The new cabana, with its grill, fireplace and deep overhangs, provides coziness in winter and a cool oasis in the summer. Hidden away behind the pool house, a beautifully detailed ipe wood outdoor shower completes the spa-like atmosphere.