Photography by Shannon Greer.
The winner of the 2017 Gardenista Considered Design Awards Best Outdoor Living Space is Marie-Helene Attwood of Edible Petals for the Creane-Peyton Residence in Brooklyn.
“In just 900 square feet, two swings, a play house, a trampoline, a fire pit, and tucked under the steel deck, an intimate sitting corner. All can be used simultaneously without anyone needing to referee.”
“A sunken trampoline, installed at grade, is the first stop when coming home.” Q: What does your firm specialize in?
“A custom play structure allows for swings, climbing, pretend play, and a ladder to get to the green roof above the cabin.”
Dmitrii Rumiantcev of DiMastery, Jameal Fearon, James Davis, and Sam Dawdry of J&S Customs worked on the carpentry; Rosanna Herrero and Kathleen Ernsting installed and planted perennials and bulbs in the thousands, and the entire crew at Arborpolitan removed large invasive maples and ground the stumps.
“Perennials bring an ever-changing landscape of colors or textures to the perimeter, without getting in the way of playing and running.”
The challenge was to fit everything into 800 square feet: a dining area, a private terrace for the rental apartment, a playground for the children, a quiet corner to have a cup of coffee, and integrating all these into a dramatic, highly-designed whole.
“A small bluestone terrace to gather friends.” I wanted the children to be able to play without the parents having to referee, or the plants to be in the way.
“Soft whites and pinks to soften the dark fence and structured layout. The entire garden is planted with perennials and over 1,000 bulbs.” It’s a bit of formality to frame the wildness inside.
“The fire pit is bordered by tall planters, a hedge of hydrangeas, and a built-in cedar bench.” A: Meryl Streep, for the ability to be everything to everybody, with style.
“Large alliums on the deck capture the sunlight and the breeze, and bring a view of nature inside.”
“The planters offer wild bees food from May to October.” I can’t walk the streets or travel without taking pictures of color or texture combinations, and everywhere I go on vacation, I visit the local botanical garden.
Before
“The large invasive maples made the backyard inhospitable.” A: I love the work of Piet Oudolf and Dan Pearson for their naturalistic appearance and strong seasonality.