Where do nationally recognized architects go to get their landscaping done? David Morris, one of the principal architects at local firm Woodhull, worked closely with friend, landscape designer Soren Deniord and landscape construction company, Tammaro Landscaping, to bring his vision to life.
Though packed in tightly with neighbors in a Cape Elizabeth neighborhood, this landscape is afforded privacy thanks to fencing and strategically placed plants. David and his husband wanted to turn their backyard into a space that they could utilize to entertain, enjoy, and swim. The architecture found in this 1940s-era neighborhood is mostly traditional New England style. David’s home is a classic shingle style, but a coat of bold, blue paint gives the architecture a fun, modern lift.
“David and his husband knew exactly what they wanted,” said Nick Tammaro of Tammaro Landscaping. “I loved this opportunity to take a fully realized vision and bring it to life.” A friend’s house inspired the landscape redesign; both David and his husband are avid swimmers, and when visiting a friend with an outdoor area designed to entertain, they realized the radical impact a refresh could have on the way they use their space.
Though the backyard has a small footprint, they found a plunge pool brand that would work with the perimeters of their space. The pool itself is pulled away from the house to allow room for a patio. Surrounding the patio, grasses, soft plants, and landscape lighting add softness and brightness to the design. Lounge chairs and a seating area with a grill station invite guests to unwind and share food together.
The hardscape and softscape areas feel delineated but cohesive in this smaller backyard. Granite edging surrounds the plunge pool. The granite steps that lead away from the patio and towards the home help transition from the stone areas to a wooden deck built against the house, introducing a new material. “The stone we used has a modern flair that works with the traditional architecture of the home,” says Nick.
As one of the principal designers for Woodhull, David is exposed to the landscape plans of projects he is working on. Since space was limited, he had creative solutions and styles to pull from. “I always tell people the best thing I did as an architect was to have my house renovated,” says David. “Similarly, it was great to go through a landscape redesign. It’s good practice to be a client and build empathy for your own clients.”
Though the house is 100 years old, the landscape is rectilinear and modern. This was important to David—he wanted a clean design that didn’t waste any space. The simple materials and compact nature of the yard make maintenance easy. Pollinator-friendly plants attract butterflies and bees, ensuring that there is always movement. Now, David and his husband spend more time in their outdoor space than they had in the previous 10 years, completely changing the way they live in their home.
With the combination of textures, colors, and materials, Tammaro Landscaping built a landscape that utilizes every single inch of this Cape Elizabeth home’s backyard paradise.
