modus operandi
a downtown garden
This historic Downton Charleston residence was recently renovated and the garden was reimagined in kind. Our design for the renovations and color rendered plan for the garden was implemented almost exactly as conceived. Comprised of traditional garden elements including brick walks, blue stone-paved terraces, wrought iron gates and charming, subtle water features. We opened up existing garden rooms to be more generous and inviting, and salvaged and reset stone and brick. We added a linear pool to the southern garden room, complete with simple spouts for sound and movement. Finally, we reenvisioned the planting plan and palette for color and textural interest in every season. The plant list includes olives, camellias, hydrangea, magnolia, and agapanthus.
Originally designed by our firm over 20 years ago, it was a pleasure to revisit and reinvent the garden for new owners. Together, we created this serene green, lush oasis.
an island retreat
This island home sits nestled in on the river and amongst grand live oaks. We were given an amazing backdrop and did our best to work in harmony with what nature afforded us. In the process we also created more structured garden experiences closer to the home.
A key moment in the garden happens upon entry through the front door, looking out the central axis through glass windows onto an unexpected small formal garden space with a simple fountain, framed by lush subtropical foliage.
The pool and pool terrace garden at this Kiawah Island home are extensions of the indoor living space at the same level, but they reflect the larger Kiawah landscape beyond. The pool spillway creates the subtle sound of water and flow, emanating calm. A stately grand live oak's sculptural structure is reflected on the surface of the water.
harborside
This harbor side home and gardens is a project that incorporates a unique contemporary esthetic within a formal, historic, and environmentally unique setting. Grand live oaks share canopy with both native and subtropical palms. Formal stone-framed panels and boxwood hedge are softened with native grasses and given structure with potted palm and olive trees.
The home features a serene entry courtyard garden. Queen Palms grow out of a lush green lawn panel, framed by travertine walks connecting arrival and entry. The simple fountain at the end of the main garden axis adds cool and calm to a subtropical garden.
This home maximizes its waterfront exposure with a grand open lawn defined by sweeps of grasses and native perennials. A cutting and vegetable garden provides flowers and food for the table. A raised pool and terrace orients to enjoy a view of the harbor and the Charleston peninsula. Limestone pavers set in the lawn bridge built and green elements.
a forested ocean front home
The entry experience to this unique home and landscape on Kiawah Island leads one down a meandering drive framed by a lush, green palette including fan palms, ligularia, saw palms and iris. One arrives in the central, pebble and brick-paved drive court and to the light stone entry walk to the front door. This curvilinear path of limestone is a gradual ascent framed by layers of gray green, silver, and white - including olive trees and dwarf olives as ground cover, anise, catmint, white plumbago and salvias, and white lantana to soften path edges.
On the oceanside of the home, the beauty of the site within its larger surrounding environs truly reveals itself. On the ground plane, stone pavers set in lawn lead one through sweeps of native grasses and perennials to the beach. From the terrace above, the views of the ocean are reflected in the edgeless surface of the pool below.
a downtown roof garden
This rooftop space is the perfect vantage point to enjoy the Charleston skyline. With a putting green, outdoor kitchen, fire element, living and dining areas, and generous planted areas, this space is both functional and green.
Our garden features ipe and stone decking and custom steel planters. The lush planting on ground level and in planters softens the urban angularity of the cityscape beyond, offering new life and perspective to a previously unappreciated rooftop space. Native grasses, potted olives and citrus trees, saw palms and perennials are all part of the planting design. This is a verdant garden oasis in the sky.
a contemporary garden in an historic neighborhood
This contemporary space in a historic setting takes classic elements of the Charleston garden, such as formal structure, traditional brick and stone paths and terraces, and heritage plantings, and thoughtfully combines them with contemporary flourishes.
Brick paths are framed by arched hornbeams, leading one towards the water at the heart of the garden. The pool and water weir set the tone for this serene oasis.
Meandering walkways lead to terrace spaces that are softened by sweeps of iris, agapanthus, and grasses. Citrus trees in pots with seasonal color and a small water feature add life and texture to the overall composition.
an island community with shared views and amenities
This communal space was designed to create a seamless connection between The Marsh House and the larger landscape in a way that complements and enhances both. The architecture frames the expansive marsh view perfectly, with the pool visually engaged with the marsh, and sculptural live oaks emerge from the wood decking, joining the building and the land.
Our approach to the site made preservation of live oaks and existing changes in grade our foremost concerns. We approached this with a series of formed and poured retaining walls to preserve the stately existing oak trees. The curvilinear masonry walls organize the forecourt to the building and also function as seat walls for occasional gatherings.
Ipe decking and pervious pebble pathways compliment the composition, while layers of plants such as native dwarf palmetto and beautyberry, alongside graceful Chinese fan palms and crepe myrtle create a lush and green experience. The overall entry area also serves as a gathering space for events at the communal space and frames the ascent up to the main deck and the stellar views to the marsh and beyond.
