Suburban Retreat
Private Garden – Northfield, Illinois

After a masterful renovation of the house, this landscape was in need of some serious design attention. An oversized berm on one side of the home made circulation and routine maintenance a hazardous and frustrating dilemma. The beautiful sprawling architecture, existing swimming pool, and mature shade trees, however, offered the structure for a great roaming garden. Working with the neighbor and the city, invasive and dying trees were selectively removed along the berm, and several truckloads of soil were excavated and hauled off site. Being in a floodplain, additional water storage was a requirement for new hardscape areas. Pervious gravel base was installed under stone and gravel walkways for a creative and unassuming solution. The first phase included hardscapes and planting for the front yard, circulation around the home, and a rear entertaining terrace. A white two-rail fence and large lawn areas allow the house to breathe, giving a rural feeling to the property.

Before

Before