Project #1: Parisien Pied-a-terre

This project was so much fun. It was done for a dear friend whose backyard had become overgrown with the existing plants. Her patio also had lifting issues in between the concrete expansion joints. Rather than replace the entire patio, we cut out the seams of the concrete and added a brick border so that all of the exposed aggregate squares didn’t continue to present a tripping hazard.

Large boulders were removed that were backdrops for the plants ( a look that was prevalent in the 80’s ), and we created boxwood parterres in the raised beds so that in the future if she decided to add anything else, it would all be confined within an orderly structure that looks fabulous all year round.

She also wanted a shady area on the patio and was considering having some type of structure built. I encouraged her to plant the two Japanese Maples instead to provide a colorful source for shade, creating a lovely setting to sit and read. The natural structure of the Japanese Maples always look beautiful even during the winter months when they have shed their leaves.

BEFORE

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As you can see in the above photo, the boulders and plants did nothing to highlight her lovely garden structure….

AFTER

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….without the distraction of all of the excess visual noise of the plants and boulders, the statue really has space to “think”…

BEFORE

Again, you can see in the corner that the garden art was hidden by plants which were straggly, and more boulders. With so much going on as far as texture and color, it was a corner that didn’t do the yard justice as a whole.

AFTER

We moved the garden art into the side yard where he could stand watch in a grove of bushes. Now this corner is simple and elegant with room to grow.

BEFORE

These bushes wanted to grow taller and much wider and were encroaching on the view from inside as well as the space within the planter.

AFTER

With the boxwood hedge, the owner can either plant it with something she falls in love with, or perhaps she might want a fountain or bird bath that could be appreciated from her breakfast nook…

The brick between the expansion joints added a lovely detail that is celebrated by the beautiful red Japanese Maple trees. The pergola in back was always there, but because of all the competing elements of the yard…the boulders, and overgrown plants of too many varieties, and garden art….nothing could be appreciated for what it was.

This project was a perfect example of taking what had become overgrown and dated and bringing it to the present. It will age well because it is classic and timeless with the raised parterres and brick. Even without anything added within the parterres, it still looks elegant. If at a later time she decides she wants to add more, it has room to grow. The owner has since added beautiful night lighting that illuminates the garden art and creates a nocturnal masterpiece.