Since I love weaving clean lines and structural forms into my interiors, it’s no surprise I like to see the same concepts embraced outdoors—not just in outdoor rooms, but in the landscaping itself. I’ve been getting my gardens back in shape after the winter and its forced me to think about what I like and what I’d like to improve in my gardens. I love architectural gardens, so I thought I’d share some gardens that inspire me at other designers homes and on view at two of my favorite nearby destinations.
This breathtaking garden is part of Oscar de la Renta’s outdoor space in Connecticut. The hedges and boxwood lined paths are wonderfully manicured and oh so classic.
The water feature in Bunny Williams‘ garden offers a sense of geometry, while surrounding flora at varied heights adds interest.
The garden outside this Connecticut home of designer Robert Couturier includes potted plants aligned with precise spacing – how beautiful and refined against the crisp square stone pavers.
This up-close shot of a pathway by Doyle Herman Design Associates evokes the same order – and is a nice way to add composition to a carefully-planned landscaping. Another disciplined Doyle Herman design:
I’m also fond of these beautiful gardens you can visit on a day trip:
Wethersfield Farm in Amenia, NY has a garden with many ares of interest, including this one where the grass path is surrounded by “walls of hedges” forcing your eye between the large cone shaped bushes down to a manicured archway cut into the hedge.
Hollister House Garden in Washington, CT also offers serene architectural vignettes combining plants, stone walls and gravel paths.
I hope you can celebrate the onset of Spring by spending quality time outdoors and pondering changes in your garden.
Images: 1 via online.wsj.com; 2 via tradesecretsct.com; 3 via robertcouturier.com; 4-5 via dhda.com; 6 -7 via wethersfieldgarden.org; 8 via hollisterhousegarden.org
