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. 

A large, two-story white house with a dark gabled roof and a central front porch. The home is surrounded by a expansive green lawn, mature trees, and landscaping under a clear blue sky.
A dark gray wooden gate stands slightly ajar, opening onto stone steps that lead to a swimming pool. A stone retaining wall borders the pool area, which is partially obscured by lush green trees and foliage.
A view through a vine-covered metal archway looking onto a stone patio with outdoor seating. The patio features cushioned chairs and a dining set situated next to a retaining wall and lush garden beds.
A green shrub with clusters of small white flowers grows in front of a dark vertical-paneled wall.
A rectangular swimming pool surrounded by a stone patio and a stacked stone wall with three water spouts. A built-in grill and patio seating are situated in the corner of the pool area, backed by a dense green hedge.
Three wooden lounge chairs with blue accent pillows line a poolside patio. A striped umbrella provides shade over the chairs, and the sun sets behind a fence and trees in the background.
A stone retaining wall borders a sloped garden bed filled with shrubs, small trees, and colorful flowers. Next to the wall, a paved stone patio features an outdoor dining set.
A stone retaining wall sits in front of a dense garden filled with various shrubs, small trees, and hostas. In the foreground, part of a wooden patio table and two gray wicker chairs are visible.
A top-down view shows a flat grey stone slab bordering a narrow trench filled with various smooth pebbles. Below the pebbles is a wall constructed of stacked, rough-hewn rectangular stones.
A stone retaining wall sits in front of a terraced garden bed filled with shrubs, purple flowers, and a blue hydrangea bush. A grey woven patio chair is partially visible in the foreground.
A cluster of hydrangea plants with green flower buds grows behind a low, dry-stacked stone wall. A thin row of vertical boxwood shrubs and dense green foliage provides a backdrop.
Thin, upright stalks of Astilbe with small, deep pink flower buds reaching upward. The reddish, hairy stems rise from a base of delicate, pointed leaves against a soft, blurred garden background.
A cluster of bright purple phlox flowers stands in the foreground of a garden. Beside them are creamy white flower heads and green foliage, with a blurred stone wall visible in the background.
A garden bed with clusters of white hydrangea blooms and a stalk of bright purple phlox flowers. Tall, thin red stems rise among the lush green foliage and dark leaves.
A rectangular swimming pool with integrated water features sits in a stone-paved patio at twilight. The area includes lounge chairs under a striped umbrella and a built-in outdoor grill station set against a stone wall.
A stone patio features an outdoor seating area with chairs and a table next to a low retaining wall. The view is framed by a metal garden arch covered in vines, looking out toward a illuminated backyard at dusk.
A stone retaining wall with integrated lighting borders a patio featuring three woven chairs at a wooden table. Lush trees and flowering shrubs rise above the wall in a landscaped backyard at dusk.