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When Douglas Miller , a Landscape Architect who graduated from Michigan State University , first stepped foot on this Somerset , Maryland property the home was facing an identity crisis . Much like a counselor help his patients embrace their unfeigned self , Miller serve the owner establish a cohesive exterior panache . “ Originally plastic shutter flank the window and the trim was painted a bright blanched , ” he points out . These Colonial details were not doing the household Department of Justice , so Miller suggest switch to a cottage flair . “ The first part of the conversion was simple ; we bump off the shutter , painted the trim a dark color , swapped out the front door and added windowpane baskets . ”
Next Miller turned his nidus to the backyard where he was faced with a unconscionable side and photograph to neighboring house that loomed overhead . His principal goal was to make space for entertaining , which was crucial for the householder , who is a local philanthropist and elect prescribed . “ The garden had to be suited for host small , sit - down dinner party , as well as large , standing way only fundraiser , ” explain Miller . However , at just 1/3 of an Akko there was n’t a lot of space to work with . With the help of stone walls , Miller terraced the hillside and created a serial of garden rooms .
A multifariousness of garden room were created , including this patio . pic by : Douglas Miller .
With the family ’s newly - let on bungalow identity , Miller want to create woodsy bungalow - like garden spaces . He did so with a two - pronged access : imbed lush greenery and raise out-of-door seclusion . Evergreens serve as the backbone of this garden with perennials mix in for pops of color and texture . “ I need a full , timber - comparable feel and choose the plants with that in judgment . ” When it came to privacy , plants play a pivotal role . fresh planted Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree help oneself block out the garden from neighbor as well as the street . However , the addition of a storage shed made the swelled privateness improvement . “ The shed was project to be vertically oversized as a position caper that would bring the focus down from the sign above that used to dwarf the garden , ” says Miller .
A pergola sequester to the novel shed , produce a cozy garden nook . exposure by : TJ Gaghan .
Integrated into the new shed is an take in sitting area covered by a pergola . A custom work bench , address with colorful cushions , fill up the quoin of the garden corner . “ The homeowner had a furniture artisan add up out and design the workbench specifically for this spot . He cut and eat up a log from the Midwest to go exactly how we wanted . ” An Akebia vine , which is semi - evergreen , has fill in atop the pergola , creating a feeling of privateness that pee-pee Edgar Guest sense as if they ’ve stumbled upon a secret hiding spot . Other garden suite Miller created admit a lounging patio and a dining area .
Here the dining sphere is place up for a small , sit - down dinner company . Photo by : TJ Gaghan .
Special requests from the householder also influenced the creation of this garden . First , he insisted on a large lawn because he like the look of unused mown pot . Second , he wanted a fencing that could contain his Basset Hounds . Third , he asked that modern elements be used throughout the garden to tie in with the way the inside of the home is embellish . This last postulation was catchy because of the traditional style of the home ’s exterior . “ I design the garden with simple , clean lines and sharp edges to make a forward-looking feeling , but used very traditional fabric to tie in with the style of the home , ” Miller says . Accessories such as container and furniture also tilt towards a modern aesthetic .
This itinerary serve as a secondary entrance . To the right , Ajuga reptans’Jungle Beauty ' originate as a groundcover with fall fern develop in the background . pic by : Douglas Miller .
With the help of Miller , this homeowner now has a home with a potent identity that will look good for years to come . Recently , Miller has also aid him complete the front percentage of the property with a unexampled private road .
To enhance the bungalow computer architecture , a raw wooden front door was add , and the steps were widened . Photo by : Stephen Rick .
A stuffy - up horizon of the windowpane baskets , in which the plants are changed with the seasons . picture by : TJ Gaghan .
For more on Douglas Miller visitwww.millergardener.com .
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