The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space.
On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens.
The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door.ĭirectly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. Rob Cardillo for Westover Landscape Design, Inc. With the addition of the stunning old-world stone fireplace and pergola, this amazing property is a welcome retreat for year round enjoyment. A fully functional (and frequently used) convenient outdoor kitchen/dining area/living room expand the house's floorplan into a relaxing, nature-infused on-site vacationland. Soft evergreen hedges and billowing flowering shrubs muffle street noise, giving the garden within a sense of embrace.
Furthermore, flowing from space to space is a thoroughly enjoyable, ever-changing journey given the blossom-filled, year-around-splendiferous gardens that now hug the walkway and stretch out to the property lines. Fortunately, Westover Landscape Design rode to the rescue and literally leveled the playing field. Plus, the breakneck slope was definitely not playground-friendly. Primary among the impediments was the fact that the house stands on a busy corner lot. But a heap of challenges stood in the way between what they were given upon arrival and the family's ultimate dreamscape. And when the family went outdoors, they were hoping to find flamboyant color, delicious fragrance, freshly grilled food, fun play-spaces, and comfy entertaining areas waiting. Like most growing families, this client wanted to lure everyone outside.