Harmony in Contrasts

The owner of this home in McLean, Virginia, has made meticulous architectural improvements to the existing structure over the years. Changes to the back elevation replaced small 1980s windows with broad glazing to bring in light and the view, which inspired him to replace the extant boulder garden with an infinity pool, dining patio, and newly planted landscape. To complete the owner’s vision, Richardson & Associates created a scheme inspired by Mid-Century design. The resulting lines and edges of the pool, terrace, dining patio, and steps extend the horizontality of the house into the land.

In contrast to the geometric hardscape and black-painted perimeter fence, custom Ipe screens, monolithic poured concrete benches, and cast concrete steps, the garden is dynamic and loose. The plant pallet includes nearly 50 species, many of them native. Thickly planted, evergreens and grasses coexist in textured swaths, groupings punctuated by variegated leaf dogwood, white birches, Tiger Eye Sumac, a native Sourwood, and Witch Alder. The gray/black interior of the pool permits an expansive, reflective quality; quietly dramatic but not stark.

  • Architect: STEHLIK design
  • Lighting: Outdoor Illuminations
  • Landscape Contractor: Lucas & Clark Grounds Company
  • Photography: Kate Wichlinski
A modern two-story home with grey siding overlooks an elevated swimming pool and a terraced backyard. Illuminated stone steps lead from the grass to the pool deck, where white lounge chairs sit near a fire pit in a wooded setting.
A modern house with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks a backyard featuring two tiers of stone stairs leading to a patio with lounge chairs. A landscaped garden with shrubs and trees surrounds the stone pathway in front of the house.
Stone steps lead up to a modern house with floor-to-ceiling windows. A grey stone path winds past low plantings and a small yellow tree in front of the building.
A rectangular swimming pool with an infinity edge overlooks a wooded area with fall foliage. A stone patio surrounds the pool, featuring two white lounge chairs beside the water.
A rectangular swimming pool reflects the surrounding autumn trees and bright sunlight. The pool is set against a backdrop of dense, color-changing woods and a dark fence.
A green ceramic kamado-style grill is built into a concrete outdoor kitchen counter against a dark gray house. Beside it are wooden patio steps and a modern black wire chair on a paved stone terrace.
A stone path leads past a modern gray building and a small pine tree. The garden features stepped concrete planters and is surrounded by lush green foliage and autumn trees.
A small courtyard garden features a concrete bench against a dark horizontal slat fence. Ornamental grasses and a young birch tree grow in the foreground, with dappled sunlight casting long shadows across a stone patio.
A stone path with moss-filled joints leads toward a horizontal wood-slat gate. To the left is a slatted wood screen, and to the right is a low concrete planter wall filled with green shrubs.
A horizontal wood slat fence partially covered in climbing ivy. The fence is surrounded by lush green shrubs, ornamental grasses, and mature trees in a garden setting.
A stone path leads through an opening in tiered wooden slat fences toward a glowing, illuminated tree. Warm landscape lighting highlights the foliage and the walkway at night.
A modern house with dark gray siding overlooks a backyard featuring two tiers of glowing stone stairs. Beyond the stairs, a small fire pit sits on a raised stone patio near a line of lounge chairs, all set against a backdrop of autumn trees.
Four dark Adirondack chairs surround a fire pit with a metal grill in a backyard patio. Two wide stone steps with integrated lighting lead down to the seating area, which is nestled among trees and foliage.
Illuminated stone steps lead up to a garden path set against a backdrop of trees and shrubs. The floating steps feature warm, integrated under-lighting that casts a glow onto the surrounding grass and paving stones.
Stone steps with glowing amber lights under each tread lead upward through a wooded area. A dark metal handrail runs along the right side of the staircase, which is flanked by stone walls and garden beds.
A modern two-story home at dusk with a large glass-walled living area and an illuminated backyard swimming pool. Glowing steps lead from a stone patio down to a grassy lawn surrounded by trees.

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