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.
A view from the porch showcases Shamrock Holly, a cultivar of native Inkberry, and Itea, known for its brilliant maroon-colored fall foliage. Landscape beds are protected by layers of single-grind bark product and pine needles, gathered from The Pinehills community.
Boxwood topiaries dress the picnic tabletop and provide a pop of color against the teak wood surface.
Teak dining chairs fold for easy storage during the off season.
Sliding doors custom-crafted by MacKenzie Brothers open to reveal an outdoor cooking area.
A cozy conversation area comprises two deep-seated teak lounge chairs with cushions covered in all-weather fabric. Prairie-type, drought-tolerant grasses that surround the nook are found along roadsides and in edge-of-woodland conditions in Plymouth.
Permeable pavers, set in a sand base, complement the hue of reclaimed New England field stone used to construction the chimney.
A paved walkway leads beyond the picket fence to a parking area.
A flat-track door system by Better Barns Hardware features four iron horseshoe-shaped barn-door rollers that replicate antique designs.
A Kenmore gas grill, a CaesarStone countertop, a Kohler stainless single-basin sink, a pull-down faucet and a built-in exhaust system customize the outdoor cooking area. The interior walls are lined with custom sheet metal panels.
A recycled oak wine barrel collects overflow rainwater. The brass spigot with hose connection allows for direct watering of the gardens and plants.
Outdoor lighting fixtures, including bushed-nickel aluminum sconces from Kichler’s Seaside Collection, are equipped with Energy Star-rated light bulbs.
Even in the autumn season, landscaping features lend a pop of color as leaves turn to shades of crimson, pink, red and maroon.
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