Sneak Peek: Natural Wonders

By Maria LaPiana

There are times when a home–its big picture plan along with its copious details–are so all-encompassing that the landscape surrounding it becomes an afterthought. And then there are times when the great outdoors proves astonishingly great indeed. It’s always a pleasure to see fine landscape designers and architects at work, with their intimate knowledge of how plants grow and hardscapes mature. Senior Editor Paula Bodah found six magical projects, and they’re featured in the March/April issue of New England Home. Every one of them is inspiring.

For starters, there’s a quintessential New England property near Boston–carefully composed by Clara Couric Batchelor of CBA Landscape Architects in Cambridge, Mass, with stone walls, split-rail fences and low plantings–to create a pastoral scene that looks as though it’s been there forever.

A pleasing and inventive poolscape in Weston, Mass, comes alive thanks to landscape architect Michael Blier of Landworks Studio in Boston. Blier’s gifts include a practiced eye for natural boundaries, an uncanny sense of balance and love of lawn, shade trees and perennials.

For good measure, there’s a mesmerizing dining area designed by Katherine Field (of Katherine Field and Associates in Newport, RI). She created drama at every turn by playing with light, mass, texture–and comfort (at the heart of this design).

To see more…and more outstanding projects, don’t miss the next issue!