A Garden for Gathering

This backyard needed an update and a refresh to better support gathering and everyday use. An awkward, low retaining wall was removed and re-envisioned as a clean, rectilinear seatwall, reusing all of the original stone. We eliminated the remaining lawn and added a fire pit area surrounded by native plantings selected for year-round interest—spring and summer blooms, fall color, and winter groundcover. The result is a cohesive, inviting space designed for social time and seasonal beauty.