Rural Woodland Retreat—Vermont

Project Summary

This Vermont homeowner requested two alternate designs for her woodland property. For her final Home Outside Design, she asked her designer to combine her favorite elements of both. Her plan features a fire pit patio, a terrace for grilling and dining, easily maintained pools of lawn, and spaces for reading and enjoying nature. Flowering trees and shrubs help blend the designed spaces into the rural surroundings.

Check out the plan notes below to learn more about Home Outside’s design solutions!

Base Plan

Draft Design A

Draft Design B

Final Design

Landscape Design Plan Notes

Circular fire pit surrounded by natural stone patio, for ease of shoveling in winter. Patio is large enough to fit outdoor chairs.

Small ornamental trees frame the fire pit patio.

A curved path from the house to fire pit can be a simple mown path through a meadow or a natural stone path to match the fire pit patio, if shoveling in the winter is a concern.

Curving garden beds of low-growing perennials create a front yard “room,” carpeted with lawn.

Reading Lawn: lounge chairs and end tables for reading (or napping) in the sun.

Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers complete the space and blend with the surrounding woodland landscape.

Broaden the area surrounding the existing herb garden to accommodate new paths. Remove the path along the garage and plant with ornamental grasses or edibles. Low-voltage lighting is easy to install within the garden beds along the path and edges.

A planting of small ornamental trees and shrubs divides the driveway from the herb garden and can be planted with edibles, such as blueberries.

Flowering trees provide beauty and interest north of the driveway.

A collection of shrubs and perennials defines and visually separates the driveway and the back lawn. A wide lawn path connects the two areas of the property.

Curved planting beds along the back of the house are filled with small flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Existing mature trees surround a curving lawn. A hammock set among smaller ornamental trees is another destination for reading or lounging under dappled light.

Outdoor stone dining patio is big enough for grilling and dining. String globe lights can be easily hung overhead from the house and supporting posts.

Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers in the backyard planting beds blend with the surrounding woodland landscape.

Home Outside Pinterest Board

“Loved working with Home Outside! Rather than only answering surveys and feeling as though the whole process is automated, I communicated both via email and phone with real people who listened to what we needed and wanted and designed our landscape accordingly. I would recommend this service to anyone...and already have!”