32nd Street

Sited on a corner lot in tony Country Club Hills, this sloped property posed a challenge. The low-grade change from front to back meant drainage was critical. The natural space surrounding the house included a small backyard, and a large side yard. We switched the functions of these areas by turning the side yard into a pool area, and the back yard into the main garden. The existing retaining wall was reclad in limestone and extended to delineate a grilling nook and the new pool area, also hiding pool equipment and providing an opportunity to make the pool a water feature. The bright tumbled limestone is offset from the bluestone paving by a narrow pebble ditch that provides both drainage and an interesting textural interruption. Trumpet Honeysuckle at the entry arch makes entering the layered garden a transformative moment.