This 1920's built Federalist style home was situated on a little more than half an acre in one of the nicest of the old west Austin neighborhoods. We were fortunate to have some large old trees on the lot and did our best to preserve them within the context of the new design. The concept for the garden was to create a grand Old Southern Garden feeling, using trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines that might have been in place in the early 1900's. A retaining wall with a circular steps down to a long curving walkway leads the visitor to the front door. About halfway across the sweeping front lawn is a niche created by plantings and a wrought iron bench for sitting. Evergreen shrubs such as camellias and gardenias, old roses, and other old fashioned shrubs were planted to create a hedge between the adjacent property, and to adorn the front of the lovely old home.

Within an L-shaped area at the side/back of the home gracious and continuous steps draw the guest down from French doors to a large limestone patio. A tall fence, with arbor above, screens the patio from the two story newly constructed home next door. At the far back of the house a covered porch with wide steps and wrought iron handrails (mimicking details from a window in the house) leads down to a grassy area and then out into the far back yard. There a rectangular playing field is surrounded by evergreen shrubs and newly planted trees. Beyond that is a wild area, where later a play house will be constructed and recycled Nandina shrubs will be moved to create a maze for the young children.