The beauty of this location is the ‘borrowed view’ of parkland, which extends the vista to infinity. It was a barren lot with two-foot wide beds around the edge and one tree in the middle when Dave and his wife bought it –but after sixteen years of experimenting, this property is a lush oasis. Wide sweeps of lawn lead you down to hidden pools and fountains, bordered by a profusion of plants for texture and flowers. A recently added green roof cools both the porch below and the bedroom next to it–while creating an aerial lawn for camping and stargazing.
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.
As this home underwent renovation to create a more modern look, the landscape was in danger of being left behind. An outdated 70’s aqua pool got new, darker plaster to reflect the sky and waves of ornamental grasses, while the oversized concrete pool deck was trimmed down and resurfaced. A low concrete wall with a stainless steel spillway adds sound and movement, creating a subtle new focal point in the landscape.
A modern Highland Park home combines patio and lap swimming in a narrow space, where a sheet of water slips over a weir.
