Malvern Retreat

At the final stages of their Malvern home renovation, the owners reached out to us to transform the outdoor living and garden spaces into a premium vacation retreat.  Having visited resorts around the world, they dreamed of recreating a haven for rest and relaxation at home.  

The challenge for us was to optimize a small and unusually-shaped lot for lounging, cooking, swimming, and gardening.  Working with the existing pool and spa, we added a blue flagstone pool deck, seating spaces, wood-burning fireplace, pergola-covered dining area, gravel firepit, and pool fencing.  To create the desired utility and maximize the setting, we incorporated “borrowed space,” emphasizing the best of this property as well as surrounding ones.   

When it came to the perimeter gardens, we had to take into consideration a wide range of challenging conditions, such as steep slopes, poor-drainage, deep shade, and deer pressure.  Before we could consider vegetation, we first collaborated with civil engineers to manage stormwater and navigate the permit process.  After installing non-visible subsurface structures, we conceived of a variety of planting themes that responded to changing growing conditions and provided ease of care and seasonal effectiveness.  With this re-envisioning of the property’s outdoor space, we successfully created the ultimate stay-cation spot for the homeowners, allowing them to getaway in their own backyard.