Landscape architects Brian Sawyer and Edmund Hollander both have a knack for creating gardens that rival the beauty of the residences they complement, and we’ve featured many of their works in the pages of Architectural Digest . So who better to ask for advice on creating a verdant oasis of your own? Here, the pros share three ways to create a striking outdoor space, whether you’re planning to build a small urban garden or a spacious poolside haven. All you need now are the right tools .
Architectural Details Are Just As Important As Plants
Functional fencing and stonework are a significant part of the scenery, so consider your materials carefully. “While Julianne Moore’s New York City garden is used often for play and entertaining, its primary function is to provide a beautiful year-round view from the house,” says Sawyer, who is a principal of Manhattan firm Sawyer | Berson. “This is reinforced through the use of evergreen plant material and antique stonework as well as a sculpted wood fence that has been stained black as a backdrop to the shrubs and white-bark birch trees.”
Don’t forget what’s underfoot—at Susan and Gary Garrabrant's Hamptons getaway , Hollander used bluestone paving with grass joints to create a chic garden path that invites you to slow down a little. “The walk is comfortably sized to allow a couple to stroll together,” he says.
Your Garden Is Essentially an Extra Room for Entertaining
At the same Hamptons project, Hollander created a fieldstone fireplace to gather everyone together amid the greenery. “The structure provides ample counter space for entertaining and extends the use of the garden during cooler coastal nights,” he says.
A working garden also makes a lovely setting for a party. “When creating a vegetable and cutting garden, we love to include an outdoor dining space,” says Sawyer. “At this Hamptons home , the enormous teak picnic table is perfect for a joyous summer meal featuring bounty from the garden.”
The Swimming Pool Can Be the Focal Point
Treat the feature like a work of outdoor art. Case in point: the slightly raised pool at this Long Island beach house by Hollander. “The dark interiors reflect the sky, allowing it to change color depending on the weather,” he says.
“At this Hamptons retreat , the soft blue water of the pool and the surrounding terrace of creamy cast stone creates a centerpiece for a modern but formal courtyard,” says Sawyer. “The linear framework of pleached linden trees, together with boxwood and yew clipped into low hedges, emphasizes the sense of enclosure.”
