Artful Outdoors

Three local experts share how to give backyard environs purpose and personality

414
The pool is the focal point of this Jupiter home’s outdoor space. Photos by Brantley Photography
The pool is the focal point of this Jupiter home’s outdoor space. Photos by Brantley Photography

Welcome Diversions

The Experts: Sebastian Smallegange of Turtle Beach Construction in Jupiter,  (putting green) and Annie Santulli of Annie Santulli Designs in Palm Beach Gardens (bocce court)

For those who embrace a life of activity, a backyard can be an opportunity to mix in a little recreation with relaxation. The key is to cast the diversion in the role of an exciting yet unexpected guest star rather than the headliner. 

A putting green is just one element of this home’s beautiful outdoor space, photo by Brantley Photography
A putting green is just one element of this home’s beautiful outdoor space.

With its sophisticated play on geometric shapes and tiles in varying shades of rich blue, it’s clear that the pool area is the captivating focal point of this outdoor space (shown at left). While it began as a spec project by Turtle Beach Construction, this Jupiter home would ultimately sell before completion, with the company incorporating elements in the finished design that cater specifically to the client’s tastes. Among these is a putting green area (shown above), complete with a sand trap, set off to the side of the patio. The space pairs the client’s loves of golf and entertaining and infuses an air of amusement into the home’s polished exterior.

Annie Santulli didn’t let limited space prevent her from adding a little fun to this oceanfront penthouse apartment on Jupiter Island (shown at right). While two of the rooftop deck seating areas were used for an outdoor kitchen and a hot tub, the third pays tribute to her client’s love of Italy’s Old World style, cultivated on many trips to the country. And what bocce court area would be complete without a couple of Italian marble statues?

Tequesta-based landscape architect Tyler Nielsen created a natural garden to make this Miami Beach home totally private, Photo by KRIS TAMBURELLO
Tequesta-based landscape architect Tyler Nielsen created a natural garden to make this Miami Beach home totally private. Photos by Kris Tamburello

Garden Oasis

The Expert: Tyler Nielsen of Nielsen Landscape Architects in Tequesta

There are times when you want your outdoor landscape to serve as a backdrop for your environs and other times when you want the landscape to actually be the environs. When you opt for the latter, the space will offer distinct outdoor rooms, lushly designed with purpose.

For this project, landscape designer Tyler Nielsen was tasked with creating a whimsical and vibrant garden that would provide the owner with total privacy. Thanks to the installation of mature palms and other trees along the property’s perimeter, as well as a dense native understory shrub buffer, the backyard was transformed into a secluded retreat.

varieties of grasses, shrubs, trees, philodendrons, and wild- flowers were carefully selected to frame the surrounding architecture appropriately, Photo by KRIS TAMBURELLO
Varieties of grasses, shrubs, trees, philodendrons, and wild- flowers were carefully selected to frame the surrounding architecture appropriately.

Nielsen artistically incorporated a diverse palette of plants that includes multiple varieties of grasses, shrubs, trees, philodendrons, and wildflowers—all of which were carefully selected to match the scale and stature of the surrounding architecture and frame it appropriately. The space is also rich with plant texture, an important element in creating a natural-looking garden as it provides interest, depth, and visual focal points.

Sumptuously curvy outdoor furniture, along with sculptural planters, add to the organic nature of the space and play off the elegant hardscape design to help create the end result of a fascinating landscape that is at once alluring, livable, and immersive.

This Juno Beach home is perfect for outdoor entertaining, with a mounted television, a kitchen, and various places to eat, relax, and socialize. Photos by Brantley Photography
This Juno Beach home is perfect for outdoor entertaining, with a mounted television, a kitchen, and various places to eat, relax, and socialize. Photos by Brantley Photography

Eye for Entertaining

The Expert: Lisa Peterson of Pineapples Design Group in Jupiter

There are times when you want your outdoor landscape to serve as a backdrop for your environs and other times when you want the landscape to actually be the environs. When you opt for the latter, the space will offer distinct outdoor rooms, lushly designed with purpose.

For this project, landscape designer Tyler Nielsen was tasked with creating a whimsical and vibrant garden that would provide the owner with total privacy. Thanks to the installation of mature palms and other trees along the property’s perimeter, as well as a dense native understory shrub buffer, the backyard was transformed into a secluded retreat.

Numerous outdoor seating areas encourage both mingling and intimate gatherings, Photo by Brantley Photography
Numerous outdoor seating areas encourage both mingling and intimate gatherings.

Nielsen artistically incorporated a diverse palette of plants that includes multiple varieties of grasses, shrubs, trees, philodendrons, and wildflowers—all of which were carefully selected to match the scale and stature of the surrounding architecture and frame it appropriately. The space is also rich with plant texture, an important element in creating a natural-looking garden as it provides interest, depth, and visual focal points.

Sumptuously curvy outdoor furniture, along with sculptural planters, add to the organic nature of the space and play off the elegant hardscape design to help create the end result of a fascinating landscape that is at once alluring, livable, and immersive.

Facebook Comments