Chevy Chase Village Revival

This Colonial Revival in historic Chevy Chase Village had been renovated by the previous owner. It was in beautiful condition when purchased by our client, but the former inhabitants never got around to landscaping the property. The new owner requested an unfussy intervention to bring the grounds up to par with the house.

The scope was relatively simple, no retaining walls were needed for example, but everything in the front yard was newly organized and planted, including the allée of flowering magnolias to the left of the driveway. For this commission, the design team focused on the front yard, improving the drive, which is shared by the neighboring house, and the back garden. Turning the corner from the rear, a small secret garden of liriope and hydrangea planted beneath a canopy tree is discovered via steppingstones. Reclaimed brick walkways and Indiana limestone pavers unify the plan. 

At the front, the picturesque, park-like setting of the district inspired traditional rows of boxwood layered with hydrangea, roses, nepeta, and magnolias. At the driveway side, the pretty existing fencing, gate, and arbor were restored and relocated to clearly mark the drive entrance and open into the rear garden. Striking Bevolo copper lanterns and a brick path guide the way. The owner has a space for his outdoor kitchen just past the gate.

A seating destination was created at the back of the garden with a limestone terrace and a large limewashed fireplace that will take on a nice patina over time. Handsome split herringbone brick lines the firebox. Two flowering dogwoods flank either side of the terrace and pavers lead back to the dining porch. The fireplace terrace is the focal point of the rear yard and has a lovely view of the house. A huge existing Japanese Maple was retained and is beautifully up-lit in the evenings, magically illuminating the whole yard.

  • Architect: Overmyer Architects
  • General Contractor: Zantzinger
  • Landscape Contractor: Planted Earth Landscaping
  • Photographer: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
A two-story white house with dark shutters and a central arched entryway. A brick walkway leads through a green lawn to the front door, framed by mature trees and a dormer window on the roof.
A two-story white colonial home with black shutters, a covered front entryway, and a dormer window. A manicured green lawn, a row of shrubs, and a paved driveway surround the house, set against a backdrop of mature trees.
A white house with dark blue shutters features a porch framed by white columns and a planter filled with red flowers. A garden of white roses and green shrubs grows in the front yard, with tall green trees in the background.
A white garage with a black door and a brick driveway, framed by a magnolia tree and a white picket fence. Low hedges line the edge of the brick path, and a wall-mounted lantern light hangs beside the garage entrance.
A white garage with dark doors and windows sits behind a white picket fence. A magnolia tree and hydrangea bushes with white blooms grow in front of the fence.
A white wooden arched gate stands in a picket fence next to a house with light gray shingles. White hydrangea bushes grow in the garden bed beside the gate, and a hanging lantern is centered within the arch.
A white picket fence features an arched gate with a lantern hanging above the center. The gate opens onto a red brick walkway leading toward a large, leafy tree with autumn-toned foliage.
A white house with a raised wooden deck overlooks a green lawn and garden beds. A large, leafy tree branches over the deck, which features white railings and a set of stairs leading to a brick patio.
A brick outdoor fireplace stands on a stone patio between two wicker couches with patterned pillows. Two ceramic elephant garden stools sit in front of the seating area, and lush green bushes and trees fill the background.
Three wicker armchairs with light cushions surround a rectangular stone fire pit and a white brick fireplace on a patio. Two colorful, decorative ceramic elephant stools sit next to the chairs.
A patio seating area features a wicker sofa and two matching chairs with neutral cushions and patterned blue pillows. A gray rectangular fire table sits in the center in front of a white detached garage and a brick fireplace.
A curved stone path leads through a lush garden toward a house. The path is bordered by green shrubs, white hydrangea blossoms, and a large, moss-covered tree trunk in the foreground.

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