4. Historical preservation
Bringing a fresh look to the landscape of a historic home while maintaining its original charm means walking a fine line between past and present.
challenge: Designer Sara Jant from Twistleaf was tasked with reimagining open spaces in the historic district of Fredericksburg, Texas, including a Queen Anne Victorian mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit barn conversion and three 1930s bungalows. “We had to create a cohesive look that would complement the different architectural styles and prioritize intuitive circulation between spaces,” says Yant.
There were some hiccups along the way that affected the original plan. A long-abandoned and dilapidated drainage pipe under the villa’s front yard posed a safety risk. Strict watering restrictions were also enforced in the Texas Hill Country during this time.
Solution: Yant replaced the fence and gates with a period-appropriate design. She also updated the landscape using a mix of concrete, brick and decomposed granite to create paths and relaxing courtyards and shelters. Removing the crumbling pipe allowed it to strengthen the surrounding soil.
She finished the space with a mix of native and custom plants that complement the architecture of the Queen Anne Victorian home. Black and blue sage and soft-leaved yucca provide seasonal interest and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. American beautyberries (American Callicarpa, USDA zones 6 through 10; find your zone)dwarf palms (Minor Sabalzones 7 to 10), aromatic aster (Symphiotrichum oblongifolium, zones 3 to 9) and of the inland sea (Chasmanthium latifoliumzones 3 to 8) they define a restorative green haven next to the bungalow.
“We also reduced the amount of turf in the original design and replaced several areas (including the area shown here), with Leavenworth Sedge (Tsarek leavenworthiizones 6 to 9) as a water-conscious solution,” says Yant.
Bringing a fresh look to the landscape of a historic home while maintaining its original charm means walking a fine line between past and present.
challenge: Designer Sara Jant from Twistleaf was tasked with reimagining open spaces in the historic district of Fredericksburg, Texas, including a Queen Anne Victorian mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit barn conversion and three 1930s bungalows. “We had to create a cohesive look that would complement the different architectural styles and prioritize intuitive circulation between spaces,” says Yant.
There were some hiccups along the way that affected the original plan. A long-abandoned and dilapidated drainage pipe under the villa’s front yard posed a safety risk. Strict watering restrictions were also enforced in the Texas Hill Country during this time.
Solution: Yant replaced the fence and gates with a period-appropriate design. She also updated the landscape using a mix of concrete, brick and decomposed granite to create paths and relaxing courtyards and shelters. Removing the crumbling pipe allowed it to strengthen the surrounding soil.
She finished the space with a mix of native and custom plants that complement the architecture of the Queen Anne Victorian home. Black and blue sage and soft-leaved yucca provide seasonal interest and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. American beautyberries (American Callicarpa, USDA zones 6 through 10; find your zone)dwarf palms (Minor Sabalzones 7 to 10), aromatic aster (Symphiotrichum oblongifolium, zones 3 to 9) and of the inland sea (Chasmanthium latifoliumzones 3 to 8) they define a restorative green haven next to the bungalow.
“We also reduced the amount of turf in the original design and replaced several areas (including the area shown here), with Leavenworth Sedge (Tsarek leavenworthiizones 6 to 9) as a water-conscious solution,” says Yant.