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Loretta Fischer and her
husband, Terrill, live in this traditional Tarrytown home
with a quite unique, very green, and totally appealing landscape. |
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Because
the 60 year old Magnolia dominated the yard, Loretta, a
Master Gardener, chose simple, structural plants and wide
expanses of gravel for contrast. Not a fan of “light
pollution”, Loretta added these low-volt globes around
the yard. |
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Of great interest
is the varied use of texture, angles and color to lead the
eye. She considers the driveway to be for cars, but the
orange metal bridge over the drainage trail, the actual
pedestrian “sidewalk” to her home. |
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This table made of slate squares is surrounded
by “zen” pillows that are actually bags of concrete
that have solidified! |
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Leading the way to
the backyard is this pervious trail through one of the succulent
gardens. The bright colors jazz up the original stucco wall. |
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Loretta is seated at one of
two large concrete tables in the back yard where her creativity
is apparent everywhere. Note the wall of mirrors on the
side fence that enlarges the yard and reflects not only
her image, but the night lights of her greenhouse below.
The mirrors were rescued from an old clothing store that
was closing. Loretta’s motto is to get over fear and
go for it! |
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The
many potted tropicals throughout the yard will find their
way to the greenhouse come winter. |
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| This greenhouse and yard have been featured
in both local media and national books. The striking design
makes good use of contemporary and relatively inexpensive
materials. |
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| The pool that looks like the basis for the design
was actually an afterthought. Noting the slope of the lot,
Loretta and her brother, who helped build the structure, realized
they had room to add the water feature below. Take a careful
look to see the continuous waterfall below the greenhouse
which offers calming music and visual appeal for those nearby.
An inexpensive pump (less than $100) and a simple PVC pipe
with holes drilled in it, allowed for this charming feature. |
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| Loretta says she has also become an expert at
making the most of expanding the feel of her relatively small
1000 square foot home. This natural fence a few feet behind
the house allows her to leave the drapes open, while also
providing privacy from the large, two-story home behind. |
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| Aren’t you jealous of Ernie, the family
cat, who gets to roam this beautiful yard at will? |
