Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Small Yard, Big Ideas
Making the most of a hillside
This small backyard started with a brushy hillside and a homeowner who knew what he wanted from it, even if he could not quite describe it. We listened, started working through his ideas in the yard, and built retaining walls, terraces, two patio areas, and gardens into a remarkably small footprint.
“They have completely transformed my property over the years, from consultation on the right mix of perennials to a complete overhaul of my landscaping, including rock walls, private garden to outdoor entertainment spaces.”
Before
An idea without a plan
There was no landscape designer or set of plans for this project. The homeowner talked us through what he liked, how he wanted to use the yard, and what he imagined for the hillside. Our job was to take those conversations and figure out how the pieces could work together within the limited space.
Before
Construction
Building into a small footprint
We used retaining and terrace walls to create different usable areas across the hillside. A small terrace patio occupies one part of the yard, with another patio and built-in grill nearby. We worked the planting areas around the stonework, fitting each part into the available ground without giving up the variety the homeowner wanted. Learn more about our process.
Construction
After
A yard that keeps changing
The finished backyard packs walls, terraces, patios, a grilling area, and planting into a small property. We have since returned to replace some lower plantings with taller plants where the homeowner wanted more screening from neighboring properties.
Photos
