This gracious Irvington home had new owners who loved the existing hardscape (bluestone patio and cedar fences) but they wanted an updated look to the plantings. 

In the front yard, we removed old raised beds and added a gravel path with variegated bluestone insets to go with the existing bluestone patio. The new front walk completes a natural pathway from the front entry to the back yard entertaining area.  

We also removed an old, overgrown Leyland Cypress on the corner, which shaded everything and cut off the view. Once it was removed, we added back in a new focal point 'Osakazuki' Japanese maple, and a hydrangea border.

In the back yard, we complemented the existing bluestone patio with colorful new plants, including 'Sundance' Mexican orange, 'Knock Out' rose, and 'Sizzling' Pink' loropetalum.

The side yard had been sloping and unusable, so we leveled it with a mostly hidden retaining wall, and added new stone steps. The crushed gravel surface is easy to maintain, and will eventually hold a fire pit seating area.