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.
This seventies-modern Mansard roofed house was floating in a sea of concrete and needed to be anchored to the site. A large section of driveway was removed, leaving a generous walkway and a new entry court delineated by tall grasses. A simple, modern plant palette reflects the character of the house: vitex trees and hydrangeas add summer color, while bamboo casts shadows on the pristine stucco walls.