After recently retiring, this Shrewsbury couple began rethinking how their landscape could better support the lifestyle they were entering. With more time spent at home between travels, they wanted outdoor spaces that felt relaxing, beautiful, and easy to maintain.
Their design preferences blended two distinct styles. One homeowner was drawn to artistic, Asian-inspired gardens with sculptural plants and statement boulders, while the other preferred rustic materials and natural woodland character. Rather than tackling everything at once, the project was approached in phases, focusing first on the areas that would provide the greatest impact and enjoyment.
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Process
- Phased Landscape Planning: Developed a long-term improvement plan that prioritized the spaces the homeowners would use most while allowing the landscape to evolve over several years.
- Rustic Fire Pit Retreat: Built a secluded natural stone fire pit patio in a shady corner of the backyard using carefully selected stone. Surrounding garden beds were installed with boulders and plantings to soften the hardscape and create a private woodland atmosphere.
- Collaborative Material Selection: The homeowners were deeply involved in selecting materials, visiting stone yards and nurseries with our team to hand pick bluestone steps, statement boulders, and distinctive plant material.
- Front Entry Improvements: Replaced the aging walkway with a new curved layout and refreshed the surrounding front beds with cobblestone edging and new plantings that introduce texture and seasonal interest while maintaining a natural aesthetic.
- Problem Area Solutions: Installed a narrow shade garden along the left side of the garage where grass struggled to grow, replacing the bare strip with low-maintenance shade-tolerant perennials.
- Driveway Replacement & Expansion: Rebuilt and widened the deteriorating driveway to extend fully to the edge of the garage, allowing two vehicles to comfortably park side-by-side.
- Japanese-Inspired Garden Design: Transformed a large underutilized lawn area into a sweeping garden featuring sculptural plant groupings, statement boulders, and a dry riverbed element inspired by Japanese garden design.
- A Landscape That Continues to Evolve: Through thoughtful phasing and collaboration, the property has become a distinctive landscape enjoyed by the homeowners and admired by neighbors throughout the neighborhood.
