HARMONY AND SCALE
Before you begin, do a truthful assessment of whether your home appears welcoming. “What kind of experience is created upon arriving? Is it warm? Is it inviting? Does it create layers of experience?” asks David N. Brush, whose Birmingham firm David N. Brush Landscape Architecture specializes in residential design. The materials used and scale of the gardens and walkways should complement the architecture of the house. “The house’s façade will have details that garner most of the attention,” says David. “The landscape should be organized in a way that channels focus to those areas.”
At M. Turner Landscapes in Richmond, Virginia, principal Meg Turner says a generous landing will allow space for planters or a bench to help frame the home and provide the desired layers of interest. Walkways should be comfortable and wide enough—ideally at least 5 feet across—to allow two people to walk side by side, she says.
