backyard design program design a timeless high end residential backyard inspired by ed hollander s work clean restrained architectural and rooted in naturalistic planting the landscape should feel sophisticated rather than ornamental using broad lawn planes simple geometry and layered evergreen planting the architecture of the house pool pickleball court and major retaining walls are fixed and cannot be changed grading the backyard begins at an upper lawn adjacent to the rear terrace at elevation 804 70 rather than creating multiple retaining walls or heavily terraced lawns allow the primary lawn to gently and continuously slope toward the lower entertaining level reaching elevation 801 04 at the top of the main stairs the grade change is approximately 3 66 feet over roughly 46 feet creating an approximately 8 lawn slope the slope should read as one broad elegant landform rather than a series of steps stairs maintain the existing wide limestone stair connecting the upper lawn to the lower level the stairs terminate at elevation 801 04 and continue down toward the pickleball viewing terrace the stair orientation should remain unchanged planting use planting only where it reinforces the architecture and grading include layered evergreen masses boxwood clouds hydrangea drifts native ornamental grasses used sparingly seasonal perennials only as accents clean lawn edges minimal mulch exposure avoid overly colorful cottage style planting materials use limestone walls and stair treads teak decking adjacent to the pool dark steel accents white limestone architecture warm architectural lighting integrated into steps and walls overall feeling the backyard should feel like one continuous outdoor room with long views across a broad lawn toward the pool and pickleball court emphasize simplicity generous proportions and understated luxury the grading should disappear visually so the lawn appears to naturally flow down the site while planting softens the edges without interrupting the openness of the space do not introduce unnecessary retaining walls curved garden beds excessive terraces or ornate planting prioritize broad horizontal planes clean lines and a calm elegant composition
