The landscape design surrounding a charming 1930s house in Bethesda creates lovely moments and makes the most of the available space. Working closely with the architect who completely refurbished the house and devised a major addition, Richardson & Associates likewise revised the outdoor areas, turning limitations into assets.

In keeping with the character and era of the neighborhood, the new front garden is tidy with boxwood, yet abundant with mounds of roses, masses of limelight hydrangeas, and Black-Eyed Susans. A new front walk navigates the steep entry, guiding both the eye and visitors up the slope to a storybook vision of home, complete with a white picket fence and gate.

At the rear, the addition of a sunken garden not only protects and preserves the roots of a large existing ash tree but adds an unexpected element to the perceived simplicity of the space. A walkway and stone wall of Connecticut granite permit a view across to an elevated lawn. The granite is also used for the fireplace in the new screened-in porch. Permeable pavers used for the auto court and drive, integrated lighting, and a fire pit complete the transformation.