ROSEMONT

When we first visited the site it was clear this beautiful garden didn’t need much. It was 95% there, thanks to a very talented team of designers and builders that had reimagined the space several years prior. Yet this was another reminder that garden-making is always a process and never final, ever evolving as the seasons change; plants grow (or don’t grow); wood weathers; mulch decomposes; unexpected rainfall hits; and the needs and desires of the garden’s owners shift. It was an honor to jump in and contribute to the process. Jason shared his vision with us, eager to prep his new home for summer bbqs with other young families. Most notably, he was eager to integrate their sloped concrete and gravel side yard into space for hanging, playing, and good viewing from the kitchen window.

Rather than simply rebuilding their existing wood-framed planters that had seen better days, we took inspiration from the existing planter shapes and created two larger planters constructed out of cinderblock and finished with smooth stucco — one to accommodate a dining area and one to accommodate a new jumbo-size sandbox for their kid and his friends (with flexibility of course to convert to more hang space for the adults one day). We then removed the concrete pathway and used some leftover railroad ties as steps through repurposed gravel for a more organic feel (and better drainage), all leading to a new garden filled with an assortment of plants specially curated for bees, birds, and butterflies, including pitcher sage, hummingbird sage, yarrow, penstemon, bush sunflower, a san pedro cactus, and an orange tree.

In the interest of creating more relaxed hang space that felt minimal, clean, and paired well with beer and a slice from the nearby ooni, we constructed a floating bench in their main patio using 2x6s. The woodwork also inspired a refresh on the wood boardwalk in the front. No stain is more our vibe, and the clients,’ so we resanded and stripped the wood, leaving it to do its natural thing. We also re-upped on the pea gravel and planted a few new plants, including yarrow and red buckwheat, framing its path. It’s always something to see how small changes can make things feel so fresh and new…

While onsite, we also had the honor of paying our respects, alongside our clients, to a tree that had outgrown her home (the roots were impacting a critical retaining wall) and planted a beautiful Euphorbia ammak (much smaller roots, quirkier vibes more fitting for the space) in its place. All Jason's idea — we can take no credit.

Much, much gratitude to Jason and the whole family for your collaboration and friendship every step of the way. From our impromptu morning chats to solving interesting design challenges we had so much fun with you!