Gardens in Miniature from Anthony Paul Landscaping

Good things come in small packages: that’s truer than ever in these small gardens by Anthony Paul Landscape Design. Paul explains, “Strong design and a sense of scale is even more critical within a small garden.” Indeed, you’ll notice here that whether the yard appears to be bigger than the house or just a “postage-stamp” out back, a sense of scale makes both halves work well together. Paul goes on to more specifics: “Geometry and block, bold planting are key to ensuring that areas surrounding a house are uncluttered and visually enlarged.” Take a look at a deck surrounded by water and hemmed in by a high retaining wall; the result is an ultimate clean, uncluttered look, cozy at the same time. High grasses, colorful coneflowers, and reeds complete the effect.

Monochromatic schemes work wonders in small spaces: rich purple harmonizes with silvery cedar or pure white, while it contrasts appealingly with yellow furnishings. In a yard with an incline, terraces are a great touch; a few steps up or down gives you separate outdoor “rooms,” visually expanding the area nicely. Varying foliage from terrace to terrace adds yet more visual interest, as well as color and scent. And then there’s always the perennial draw of water…in any form. Paul agrees: “No matter how small the garden, I still always like to incorporate water — as a small pond or even perhaps just an ornamental bowl with water lilies.” From rooftop gardens in containers to terraced steps and ponds, small spaces flourish and bloom under the touch of a professional like Anthony Paul.

Mount Airy by Surrounds Landscape Architecture

With a cheery buttercup-yellow traditional house at its heart, this Mount Airy estate gives its owners everything they need for splendid outdoor living and entertaining in this lavish design by Virginia’s Surrounds Landscape Architecture
. Amble along the cobblestoned walk toward shallow steps formed by flat, long boulders, and you find the heart of the back yard: an oversized shelter that houses a delicate wrought-iron al fresco dining set and a full outdoor kitchen to make meals a breeze. Immediately fronting this “gazebo” is the other star of this garden: a gorgeous freeform pool, anchored at one end with a native stone boulder wall and cascading waterfall. Catch some rays in a lounge chair, enjoy the color of wildflower beds around you, and enjoy the vista of sky and greenery that reflect off the shining water.

If the mood strikes, or in cooler weather, you can take advantage of several indoor/outdoor spaces. A screened porch is only steps away from the pool deck and eating area on the lower level; up white-railed stairs, a neat back terrace gives you a bird’s-eye view of the yard and gardens. From it — or from French doors out of the main house — you can enjoy a third seating area, an open-air upstairs porch with a splendid coffered ceiling and overhead fan. Here, brown wicker chairs and glass-topped table give the space a casual air, cozied up by a vintage print rug underfoot. In warm weather or cool, and in sunshine or starlight, this ambience guarantees relaxation on many levels…literally, under the skilled touch of Surrounds Landscape Architecture.