A long-term, multi-phase project at the mouth of Northeast Creek in Bar Harbor. A beautiful and informal setting with agrarian history informs the approach with an emphasis on humble materials and the simple genius of rural craftsmanship. This landscape has evolved slowly over time allowing for long-term observations to inform the design process. This patient and more relaxed approach results in refinements that allow the sites inherent character to be revealed and enhanced over time. Goals for this project include creating habitat with native species, reducing lawn and carbon footprint, incorporating a diversity of edible landscape elements, and complimenting the historical aspects of the site with low-input gardens and landscaping.

Surrounded by woods and wetland this garden is in the backyard of a new seasonal home. The intimate space consists of a small flagstone patio with fire pit and mixed planting beds with an emphasis on summer blooming plants when the garden is most used. The request for no ornamental grasses was a chance to create a loose, naturalistic planting that is not based on the common prairie or meadow plant community archetype. With a small stream running just behind the garden the wet woodland edge plant community has a mix of flowering small trees, shrubs and colorful perennials. This garden is maturing and small interventions guide the management program to have a rich mix of plants that attract and sustain birds, butterflies, and many other pollinator species throughout the season.

A small residential garden in a woodland opening, this secluded site evokes the magic of a sunny pocket within the forest. The vision of this project is to have functional, immersive outdoor spaces that use naturalistic, mixed plantings to create a family home oasis that blends naturally into the surrounding landscape. The stone and soils from the site were utilized with minimal amendments to support a diverse plant palette with a high percentage of native species.

Dappled light filters through the upper canopy of the woodland garden and moves across a tapestry of green hues in a variety of textures and forms. The woodland garden is tranquil and full of smaller wonders that invite a slower pace of observation and exploration. A single stone in the garden can have a tapestry of colorful mosses and lichens on its back that are a garden within the garden. The woodland garden holds space for the inner landscape to reveal itself.

The studio and shop get used throughout the year for design work and fabrication of stone and wooden landscape elements such as custom fences, benches and planters. We are located off Norway Drive in Bar Harbor, Maine and take meetings by appointment. Nestled up against Acadia National Park we do much of our work on and around Mount Desert Island however we also do travel for design commissions and collaborations outside of our region.