Green Light

To orchestrate the transformation, they turned to Benner Reibel Landscape Architects’ Patricia Benner. Her twenty-five year old firm, which recently elevated Catherine Reibel to name partner, is known for creating inviting, timeless and serene landscapes that seamlessly blend the formality and seasonality characteristic of the east coast with the west coast’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

“It started with those sycamores,” says Benner, referring to the pair of immense old-growth trees that dominate the front lawn. Having bonded with the homeowners over their shared enthusiasm for the dry-stack stone walls that punctuate New England’s landscapes, she employed the sturdy reclaimed granite structures to delineate the clearing under the hardwood’s leafy canopy, creating an inviting spot for entertaining. A cedar fence and orderly rows of dense shrubs deftly separate this spot from the street while a fountain masks any ambient noise. In the rear yard, the muscular stone borders help define its various spaces: The oasis around the pool, a cozy lounge which embraces the outdoor fireplace, and a dining area, nestled up against the house and shaded by a pergola.

The silver-tinged underside of the sycamores’ foliage informed the palette of cool-toned greens that settle tranquility over the setting. Lush, leafy plantings soften the angular geometry of the house, the furniture, the pool and the spa while the site’s seasonal shifts - the exuberant red blooms that erupt around the pool in summer, the sycamores’ shedding of their leaves in fall — keep it vibrant and surprising.

“All the elements were designed to really play off each other and work together to create a moment that feels welcoming and calm, while keeping it simple, clean and modern,” Benner notes. A respite for today, for tomorrow and for always.