Comfortable spaces and beautiful plants allow you to naturally mingle with your neighbors in front of your Buffalo NY USA home.
If you live in a Buffalo NY USA beach town and have ocean views right outside your door, it makes sense to turn your front yard into a gathering place. This was the idea of homeowner. The front is where friends and neighbors gather. The back of the house is a more intimate family space.
The front yard
The front yard is divided into separate spaces, including a stone patio, raised deck, and seating area around the fire pit, making each space feel like a destination. When landscape designer began remodeling her yard four years ago, the patio across from the house was existing, but the deck and fire pit area were overgrown and a mess.
To capture the views of the ocean, landscape designer built an Ipe wood deck six inches off the ground. The furniture uses the soft colors of the existing terrace.
Succulent gardens planted in painted wooden frames add texture.
Landscape designer designed an 8-foot-tall trellis using treated and painted 2x4s and conduit pipe. This photo was taken when the tree vine was just gaining a foothold.
In buffalo NY USA, where there is no frost, vines grow well even in the shade of trees. After several seasons of growth, mature vines now provide a lush green backdrop. Landscape designer says it’s all on a drip system, but he prefers to manually turn on the water only when needed rather than using a timer.
The seating area around the fire pit is a favorite spot for kids. They like a little bit of separation, landscape designer says. The gravel surface is very resistant to drips and spills, so no one has to worry about their s’mores falling.
Stepping stones edge the driveway and fairy thyme provides soft tufts in the pockets between the stones. Summer bloomers can tolerate drought and low traffic.
Backyard
The backyard is divided into several sections and includes a sitting area, cooking and dining area, hot tub, vegetable garden and work area for landscape designer. Her succulent pots line the table. Succulents and grass surround the lounge area.
Incorporate yarrow, Shasta daisy, Mexican feather grass, foxtail agave, fescue and Gaura into pittosporum hedges.
Landscape designer kept the existing brick counters and placed a grill between them. She creates a convenient surface for preparing dinner.
A shade structure over the patio already existed, but landscape designer added a prominent vertical planter on one side to better shade the space. Constructed from 2×8 painted cedar and lined with a waterproof pond liner with drainage holes.
Stylish succulents live in pots.
Echeveria and fescue nestle between hot tubs and recycled brick paving.
Landscape designer has planted her own succulents for sale in her own workspace. She is working on a plant bench she designed.
