3 Landscape Designs That Beautifully Mix Old and New
The designers have preserved some existing elements in these outdoor renovations
When starting a landscape renovation project — or any remodeling project — it’s a natural impulse to want to wipe the slate clean, removing most if not all traces of “before” from the space. In reality, the budget, amount of time and other circumstances can prevent starting from scratch. While it may initially feel like an obstacle, incorporating and even highlighting existing elements in a new design can result in an even more engaging space.
These three landscapes underwent major renovations, but the landscape designers kept at least one key element from the previous design. In doing so, they created one-of-a-kind spaces that connect each yard to its history.
These three landscapes underwent major renovations, but the landscape designers kept at least one key element from the previous design. In doing so, they created one-of-a-kind spaces that connect each yard to its history.
2. A Dairy Barn Becomes a Bocce Court
Designer: David and Jennifer Hoxsie of Greenhaven Landscapes
Location: Old Mill Creek, Illinois (about 48 miles north of Chicago)
Size: About 1/10 acre (0.4 hectare)
After restoring the 1856 farmhouse on the old farm property they bought outside of Chicago, homeowners Rick and Lisa Moser turned their attention to the property’s overgrown landscape and various outbuildings. Craig Bergmann Landscape Design devised a master plan for the property and did the initial plantings, before Greenhaven Landscapes tackled other areas of the grounds, including designing an enclosed bocce court and seating area.
The reused feature: an old concrete dairy barn. The designers chose an old dairy barn on the property, which had partially burned down years prior, as the site for the bocce court and surrounding garden. They worked with the Mosers to create a garden bordered by the barn’s ruined concrete walls. “We tried to work with and showcase what was left of the existing dairy barn structure as much as possible to honor the history of the farm,” designer Jennifer Hoxsie says.
The designers placed the crushed-oyster-shell-topped bocce court at the center of the concrete structure, with a covered seating area along the perimeter. The concrete grain silo seen in the background is original to the farm. Plantings provide beautiful blooms from May to September, and landscape lighting means the space can be enjoyed at night.
Browse more photos of bocce courts on Houzz
Designer: David and Jennifer Hoxsie of Greenhaven Landscapes
Location: Old Mill Creek, Illinois (about 48 miles north of Chicago)
Size: About 1/10 acre (0.4 hectare)
After restoring the 1856 farmhouse on the old farm property they bought outside of Chicago, homeowners Rick and Lisa Moser turned their attention to the property’s overgrown landscape and various outbuildings. Craig Bergmann Landscape Design devised a master plan for the property and did the initial plantings, before Greenhaven Landscapes tackled other areas of the grounds, including designing an enclosed bocce court and seating area.
The reused feature: an old concrete dairy barn. The designers chose an old dairy barn on the property, which had partially burned down years prior, as the site for the bocce court and surrounding garden. They worked with the Mosers to create a garden bordered by the barn’s ruined concrete walls. “We tried to work with and showcase what was left of the existing dairy barn structure as much as possible to honor the history of the farm,” designer Jennifer Hoxsie says.
The designers placed the crushed-oyster-shell-topped bocce court at the center of the concrete structure, with a covered seating area along the perimeter. The concrete grain silo seen in the background is original to the farm. Plantings provide beautiful blooms from May to September, and landscape lighting means the space can be enjoyed at night.
Browse more photos of bocce courts on Houzz
“We kept the burnt wood around the existing doorway and windows intact,” Hoxsie says. “It was a balancing act of wanting to create an inviting, finished space while embracing the aged, imperfect character of the site.”
See a “before” photo and more of this renovated dairy barn
See a “before” photo and more of this renovated dairy barn
3. Spaced Bluestone Pavers Extend a Precious Material
Designer: Mark S. Garff
Location: South Seattle
Size: 540 square feet (50 square meters)
Landscape architect Mark S. Garff renovated and enhanced the outdoor space of a Seattle townhouse. While a backyard existed, it had no flow and was not aging well. Garff redesigned the space to make it feel cozy and private while maintaining its coastal views. Using steel accents and angular geometry, he also gave the space more of the industrial and contemporary aesthetic that the homeowners wanted. “If there’s a little break in the weather, you want to be able to go outside,” Garff says. “This patio allows them to do that.”
The reused feature: bluestone pavers. A small patch of bluestone pavers had been installed on the property before the renovation, but they were settling unevenly as the project aged. Instead of adding more bluestone, or removing it altogether, Garff pulled the pavers up, cleaned them off and reinstalled them on compacted gravel with gravel in between. “By spreading them out, we were able to make our hardscape dollars go far,” Garff says.
See a “before” photo and more of this transformed townhouse yard
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10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Designer
Work with a landscape architect in your area
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Designer: Mark S. Garff
Location: South Seattle
Size: 540 square feet (50 square meters)
Landscape architect Mark S. Garff renovated and enhanced the outdoor space of a Seattle townhouse. While a backyard existed, it had no flow and was not aging well. Garff redesigned the space to make it feel cozy and private while maintaining its coastal views. Using steel accents and angular geometry, he also gave the space more of the industrial and contemporary aesthetic that the homeowners wanted. “If there’s a little break in the weather, you want to be able to go outside,” Garff says. “This patio allows them to do that.”
The reused feature: bluestone pavers. A small patch of bluestone pavers had been installed on the property before the renovation, but they were settling unevenly as the project aged. Instead of adding more bluestone, or removing it altogether, Garff pulled the pavers up, cleaned them off and reinstalled them on compacted gravel with gravel in between. “By spreading them out, we were able to make our hardscape dollars go far,” Garff says.
See a “before” photo and more of this transformed townhouse yard
More
10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Designer
Work with a landscape architect in your area
Find outdoor products for your home on Houzz
Designer: Kathryn Prideaux of Prideaux Design
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Size: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters)
As part of a backyard renovation for a retired couple in Tucson, landscape designer Kathryn Prideaux added new hardscape, drought-tolerant plantings and a spectacular blue-tiled pool. Before the renovation, the backyard was barren and offered no respite from the scorching desert heat. The homeowners never used it. Now the backyard is the center of the home, enjoyed both outdoors and from indoors.
The reused feature: adobe brick walls. The renovation included updating the perimeter fencing, which consisted of adobe brick walls and wood panel inserts. The wood inserts were worn out, but the brick was in great shape and tied in with the home’s architecture.
Prideaux kept the brick both as a budget solution and to maintain a connection between the home and landscape. She replaced the wood with rusted steel panels, a material she frequently uses in her projects. Here, the rust colors of the steel and adobe brick complement each other and pop against the glistening blue tile and water.
See a “before” photo and more of this upgraded backyard
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