Suburban Texture
Cumberland Foreside, Maine
This project evolved from the construction of a new house atop the foundation of a pre-existing home that had been removed. Only remnants of the previous gardens remained, though an old fieldstone wall still defined the upper level of a partially terraced front yard, and a long cobbled entrance path had been built before we came on board.
After improving the grade throughout the front and side of the house to better define and expand space, we filled the upper terrace and walkway with colorful textural plantings of low shrubs, conifers & groundcovers. On the slope below the wall we used evergreen groundcovers and perennials.
Towards the side of the house we used an informal Thyme-laden stepping stone path to connect to a new cobbled terrace around the base of an existing side porch. We defined & contained its outer perimeter with a low curving stone wall. This extends outdoor living space and provides a gracious hilltop promontory from where to enjoy the views of Casco Bay.
From here you are invited into a private and intimately scaled circular lawn space. It is wrapped by flowering shrubs & groundcovers, and enclosed by high fencing - all to provide a suitable home for the existing playhouse.
Entrance path & stone wall in front of house pre-existing; all other hardscaping installed by homeowner's mason.
