A Great Second Lap
Transformed from its origins as a horse stable, this family home now boasts a meticulously maintained and evolving landscape that combines privacy, color, and function, catering to an active lifestyle.
- Project Architect: Erin Canterbury
- Designed By: Rocco Fiore & Sons now part of Mariani Landscape
- Awards: 2025 ILCA Excellence in Landscape Gold Award
This unassuming, multi-faceted family home has come a long way since its prior life as a horse stable. As the homeowners’ needs evolved over the years, they have learned exactly how they want to use the space and have accommodated those needs with major landscape renovations that were completed in 2019. And as the landscape has evolved, so have the maintenance team’s responsibilities to provide it with meticulous care specific to the different areas throughout. The team visits the site for a half-day each week to provide complete maintenance services at the highest level. The result transcends a beautiful landscape to admire—the homeowners’ active, daily use of the property with family and friends makes the hard work worthwhile. They love their landscape and use it all season long.
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The entry to the house previously hid behind rows of hedges that choked the view of the house from the street, and obscured views to the street from the house. The front of the home is now set behind landscaped layers that provide privacy, color and multi-seasonal interest. The hydrangeas, boxwoods, and roses were added to replace an overgrown hedge that lacked definition. The pines are original to the property and maintaining their health is the ongoing priority, with the goal of prevention over replacement.
Mixing old with the new, the courtyard presents an inviting space for the morning paper with a coffee. The homeowner’s preference for the vibrant contrast of red and white against the green backdrop has guided the thoughtful selection of plants in this area. The meticulous shaping of boxwoods, a labor spanning several days, showcases the dedication to detail.
Visible from the seating area is the knot garden. Barberry, red and white begonias, and geranium in an annual flower container are cared for weekly to facilitate proper growth. The same is true for the bordering masses of astilbe, calamintha and lambs ear. The team watches the turf panel closely for drainage and irrigation.
The tennis court is home to weekly tennis matches among friends. Once separated from the adjoining space, it is now enveloped in privacy and color starting with geranium and calabrachea in a seasonal annual container, Annabelle hydrangeas lining the outer fence, and mixed climatis vines. Behind the tennis court, the transition to the back garden area takes one through a gate and a manicured border of mixed hydrangea, astilbe and a pink prairie fire edged with pachysandra to the lawn where the dogs play fetch tirelessly.
The pool area, constantly abuzz with family and friends, exemplifies the ongoing commitment to this landscape’s upkeep. This includes keeping a seating area ready for entertaining, attending to all the plantings surrounding the outdoor table, and maintaining the hardscapes around the pool at an immaculate standard.
Far from its humble beginnings, this home has become a multifaceted family haven, its transformation overseen by a dedicated maintenance team whose weekly care ensures each area thrives. From the care of over 135 rose bushes to the raking of bluestone gravel driveways, no detail is too small.
Ready to transform your own outdoor space into a vibrant social hub that perfectly complements your lifestyle? Connect with our expert team today and let us craft a personalized outdoor space that supports your lifestyle.
