The courtyard, constructed of permeable pavers and enclosed by picket fencing, accommodates both social gatherings and intimate family dinners.

Teak dining chairs and table, purchased at Paine’s Furniture in Plymouth, Mass., give an eco-update to the traditional picnic table setting.

Native shrubs and trees, including Pitch Pine, Holly and Sugar Maples, connect the property to its wooded setting. “The bones of landscaping should be what grows around you,” says landscape designer Bill Wennerberg. “For low-maintenance landscaping, the bulk of the garden should be composed of what’s here already.”

Blue Maid Holly and Shamrock Holly that flank the picket fence contribute to privacy in the courtyard.