by Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
Winchester, MA, US 01890 · 1273 photos
Le Petit Chalet
http://www.matthew-cunningham.com

A durable, meaningful design heals a devastated residential property bordering Acadia National Park and Somes Sound on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Comprehensive stormwater management strategies shape new landforms, resulting in elegant grading and thoughtful drainage solutions. Native plant colonies stabilize the site, regenerate habitat, and reveal wildlife patterns. Exquisitely crafted new masonry, built from an authentic palette of local reclaimed materials, gives the garden a unified, established feel. Lichen-encrusted stone retaining walls define edges, thresholds, and overlooks, and thick slabs of salvaged granite embedded in the earth provide gathering terraces and pathways. With balance restored, brilliant seasonal drama unfolds.

 
This photo has one question
mountainmole wrote:
Is this a mulch path? - What is the material used for this natural pathway? Is it a kind of mulch? Thanks! »
· · Comment · 14 months ago
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC Hi there--this is actually pine duff from white pine trees in Maine. I have seen many gardens mulched with southern yellow pine, and I personally prefer the white pine because it is softer... The only issue is that it is tough to purchase. You almost need to have a local source. Sorry I cannot be of more help. I would do a quick search online to see what resources you can find. Good luck!
5 months ago ·
Alexandra Lauren Designs I thought this looked like white pine needles! I would love to do this to a garden path in Montana. Would it have any effect on the natural landscape to use something like this? How long would this last, and is it quite slippery? My path has a slight grade down, and I know pine needles can be sleek. Do they blow out of alignment quite easily? Or are they just as "fixed" as most mulch options?
4 months ago ·
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What Houzz contributors are saying:
Focal points. This scene includes multiple abundant ideas — and all play together beautifully to make me wish I could be transported here. There is a timeless feeling expressed in the simple palette of native stone and green vegetation. The lovely twig bench placed at the turn of the path is a hard-to-ignore interior focal point. Layered textures provide interest, even though this is a landscape with mostly foliage. Generous in its gifts, this garden beckons visitors to enter — and remain in its presence.
What Houzzers are commenting on:
added by housesen to Landscape Ideas (31 minutes ago)
Path
added by germankipp to germankipp's ideas (33 hours ago)
amazing use of the stone as a barrier and guiding the water
added by bbbandit to bbbandit's Ideas (4 days ago)
Lots
added by eveyz to Outdoor Living (4 days ago)
material used for trail
added by kabogo to kabogo's ideas (4 days ago)
muonekano
added by Kathy Lohr to Landscape Ideas (5 days ago)
good use of trees
added by mgorman333 to mgorman333's Ideas (6 days ago)
Backyard
added by mrmaine30 to mrmaine30's Ideas (6 days ago)
Nice walk way almost like being in a forest ilike that
added by hanoverhill to hanoverhill's Ideas (6 days ago)
I would like ferns in our forest
added by hufei268 to hufei268's Ideas (6 days ago)
森林
added by buttercup16 to Lakehouse ideas (6 days ago)
lake path
added by newpass to SIDE YARD 29th Street (8 days ago)
Dry Riverbed surrounded by shade loving plants
added by ratbear to ratbear's Ideas (8 days ago)
Path
added by Sandra Seyfarth-Lechner to webuser_852562's ideas (8 days ago)
reclaimed granite slabs making gathering areas in forest
added by tedbert to yard (8 days ago)
mulch path
added by ajbroecker to backyard (9 days ago)
drop off
added by votaw to votaw's Ideas (10 days ago)
Edge of backyard?
added by lavidamd to back yard (11 days ago)
the walkway
added by Sherrell Robinson to hillside landscape (11 days ago)
path
added by bongomita to bongomita's Ideas (12 days ago)
Camino en bosque, sendero en santa
added by wkgg to wkgg's Ideas (13 days ago)
Everything
added by gilliancheldi to garden (2 weeks ago)
Granite pathway flanked by a lower boulder ditch
added by curbappeal29 to Landscape (2 weeks ago)
pine straw path
added by tenisplyr to garden path (2 weeks ago)
dry stream bed next to raised path
added by cbernita to Landscape Ideas (2 weeks ago)
I like raised walkway and river bed next to it.
added by pkulick2 to paths (2 weeks ago)
Good idea for LL patge to push water awat
added by Sarah Smarsch to fire pit (2 weeks ago)
Path
added by careya123 to Yard (2 weeks ago)
Forest
added by geer to geer's ideas (2 weeks ago)
ferns, pine needles and stones for drainage on a pathway.
added by aniger to aniger's ideas (3 weeks ago)
caminito
added by lant to lant's ideas (3 weeks ago)
I like this idea - maybe river rocks on part of the back yard
added by thompsod29 to Terraced Hillside (3 weeks ago)
Path
added by thomasptl to thomasptl's Ideas (3 weeks ago)
path through swamp to bench
added by mbe3 to Exterior Ideas (3 weeks ago)
like walkway of pine needles
added by cinderita to Outdoor Likes (3 weeks ago)
Ideal Pathway for woods
added by Landis Garden Design to Shade gardens (3 weeks ago)
woodland walk
added by justamuse to justamuse's ideas (3 weeks ago)
Path
added by csloop to drainage (3 weeks ago)
path
added by golfer911 to golfer911's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Back path. Stones?
added by Venus McCoy to venus_mccoy's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Landscaping
added by dennis3580 to dennis3580's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Love The Rock walkway
added by mariafe412 to mariafe412's ideas (4 weeks ago)
part of my farm3
added by laknuth to Pathways (4 weeks ago)
Between will and jens
added by espringberg to Linnea's ideabook (4 weeks ago)
Love
added by thekarenursic to karen's garden (4 weeks ago)
like the definition of the path and ground cover
added by brucetinch to brucetinch's ideas (4 weeks ago)
path in woods
added by drover01 to Lake House (4 weeks ago)
ferns look nice and low maintenance
added by oliveriv to Outdoors (4 weeks ago)
Ferns!
added by valerienewell to valerienewell's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
...just so serene...
added by ff86ss to ff86ss's ideas (4 weeks ago)
Pathway
added by isa358 to isa358's Favorites (4 weeks ago)
NANNETTE: walk to Doll house
added by kimstrunk to kimstrunk's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Like the woodsy section
added by Jama Rush to jama_rush's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Lindsey
added by dyaz to garden (4 weeks ago)
pathway
added by glennheselton to glennheselton's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Mulch path around perimeter of yard
added by wcgal to Landscape Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Like - need willow chair
added by lori68 to lori68's ideas (5 weeks ago)
Like the pathway and shrubbery along the path.
added by flickalouie to yard (5 weeks ago)
Swale!,,
added by thuntington96 to thuntington96's ideas (5 weeks ago)
nice
added by mtomlin365 to mtomlin365's Favorites (5 weeks ago)
White pine mulch path
added by dayhn to dayhn's ideas (5 weeks ago)
garden
added by tinalieb to tinalieb's Ideas (5 weeks ago)
Cover the trail with mulch or other
added by KLLA Landscape Architects Inc. to natural landscape (5 weeks ago)
ferns, bark path
added by Paulette French Design to natural forest open mix (5 weeks ago)
natural , ferns
added by mehrotra to like ours (5 weeks ago)
backyard
added by janmaurer to janmaurer's Ideas (5 weeks ago)
Stones
added by chrisc461 to chrisc461's Ideas (5 weeks ago)
Path to b ball court
added by aliciameyer to garden (5 weeks ago)
like flat path next to stream
added by Mary Ferris Hyde to Outdoors (5 weeks ago)
Perhaps pavers on the outside with a mulch path?
added by yalanda to Michigan House (6 weeks ago)
white pine path
added by heronhouse to heronhouse's ideas (6 weeks ago)
looks natural
added by dfouche to dfouche's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Landscape path
added by barstewart to barstewart's ideas (6 weeks ago)
Beautiful. Slightly raised path with pebbles for drainage. Good idea
added by downwithwhite to stone pathway (6 weeks ago)
elevated edge of pathway creates solid line of pathway juxtaposed to slope and prevents pathway from washing out
added by Sunlight Properties Ltd to Garden Path Ideas (6 weeks ago)
This is a really unusual idea which creates the look of a stream running alongside a path. The path has been dug out on one side to create a raised area and then back filled with large pebbles.
added by Kerry Lindsay to kerry_lindsay's ideas (6 weeks ago)
Path
added by shelleyfritts to shelleyfritts's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Beautiful winding path through the woods.
added by Omar Shahrour to omar_shahrour's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Lower part
added by vl2474 to vl2474's ideas (6 weeks ago)
Want it
added by Ground Qube to Carley (6 weeks ago)
woodland walk
added by manisj01 to manisj01's Favorites (6 weeks ago)
possible walkway in front of postoak
added by eileenocon to eileenocon's Favorites (6 weeks ago)
Garden path
added by lynnstr to Bathroom Ideas (6 weeks ago)
the path along the drainage ditch
added by kelliborgel to Landscape Ideas (6 weeks ago)
ferns, drainage stones and straw path!!!
added by vthompson01 to vthompson01's asian (6 weeks ago)
Garden
added by dmaxtho to dmaxtho's ideas (6 weeks ago)
path
added by anamig to anamig's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Path way
added by kduren to kduren's ideas (7 weeks ago)
Path way
added by ezon to Landscape (7 weeks ago)
paths
added by straker to Landscape Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Aspen trees
added by jensay4 to jensay4's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Walkway
added by landrecht to landrecht's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Nice walkway.
added by Sandi Kewer to Orion (7 weeks ago)
drainage
added by shannonfrosco to Garden 2 (7 weeks ago)
Like - raised path next to dry riverbed
added by __horans_lovee__ to boys getaway houzz (7 weeks ago)
Landscape
added by filethis to filethis's ideas (7 weeks ago)
rock lined pathway
added by betty1000 to betty1000's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Carolyn
added by janeike to janeike's Favorites (7 weeks ago)
Pretty
added by Isabelle Pepin to isabelle_pepin's ideas (7 weeks ago)
sentier en paillis bordé de pierres des champs
added by forshule to forshule's Favorites (7 weeks ago)
Ferns
added by Spyros Linos to spyros_linos's ideas (7 weeks ago)
εξωτερικός διάδρομος απο χώμα
added by djadomaitis to Landscaping and boulders ideas (7 weeks ago)
Pine needle pathway with stones and small boulders
added by gridleycolleen to gridleycolleen's ideas (7 weeks ago)
FERNS
added by djadomaitis to djadomaitis's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Boulder landscape
added by billbaker to Outdoor/Garden (7 weeks ago)
Path: use of materials.
added by Scott Frary to sfrary's ideas (7 weeks ago)
sidewalk with water runoff control
added by carolinebrinsmead to Outdoor Landscaping (7 weeks ago)
Natural landscape look with ferns and use of rocks as a drain
added by lauriemacmillan to lauriemacmillan's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Like
added by jmreddi to jmreddi's Ideas (8 weeks ago)
Garden path
added by lehmanbc to Family Gardening (8 weeks ago)
Ferns
added by dianebrunjes to Garden ideas (8 weeks ago)
Stream to left and path right next to it?
added by jeybarr to jeybarr's ideas (8 weeks ago)
Woodland pathway
added by kaquick to Landscape Ideas (8 weeks ago)
walkway
added by mudypoz to mudypoz's Ideas (8 weeks ago)
Calm forest
added by Dorie Strater to Strater Walkway (8 weeks ago)
Pine straw
added by lynn513 to lynn513's ideas (8 weeks ago)
hillside plantings
added by cavycoco123 to cavycoco123's Ideas (9 weeks ago)
Patio walkway
added by secondgrade2 to Exterior Ideas (9 weeks ago)
outside
added by paintergang to paintergang's Ideas (2 months ago)
Chair
added by nzperx to kert (2 months ago)
Út
added by slmpuckett to slmpuckett's ideas (2 months ago)
Wooded
added by mkflee to garden (2 months ago)
ferns
added by mlester101 to mlester101's Ideas (2 months ago)
Raised pathway
added by finita to finita's Ideas (2 months ago)
Walk
added by Julie Elleby to Outdoor Spaces (2 months ago)
Walking Path
added by angelickrol to Out of Doors (2 months ago)
Path to back yard
added by kathyaperry to kathyaperry's Ideas (2 months ago)
Calm tranquil walkway
added by arielg to arielg's ideas (2 months ago)
nice path
added by gregorylewiswatts to Landscaping (2 months ago)
We want a unfinished rustic path like this around the perimeter of the property
added by whiteeb to whiteeb's Ideas (2 months ago)
Pathway
added by tcjara to tcjara's Ideas (2 months ago)
Like it
added by Kelly Kosloske to kelly_kosloske's ideas (2 months ago)
mulch path
added by smeulebrouck to smeulebrouck's Ideas (2 months ago)
Trail out back
added by wildberry1 to wildberry1's Ideas (2 months ago)
Back idea
added by d3607 to d3607's ideas (2 months ago)
PATH
added by aadams32 to aadams32's Ideas (2 months ago)
Awe....my happy place!
added by tattenham to Patio (2 months ago)
Pathway
added by jibunny to Margarets yard (2 months ago)
love the fern
added by mrsbadger88 to Outdoors (2 months ago)
raised path
added by lolaludesign to lolaludesign's Ideas (2 months ago)
Natural looking gardens and winding path.
added by Spencer Bates to Landscaping (2 months ago)
Cool path
added by Lynae Poel to lynae_poel's Ideas (2 months ago)
Peaceful
added by mpaboitiz to mpaboitiz's Ideas (2 months ago)
Garden
added by ipsailor to ipsailor's ideas (2 months ago)
Ferns and trees
added by Peter A. Messina, P.E., LLC to racingdude's ideas (2 months ago)
garden path
added by prbrown1941 to prbrown1941's ideas (2 months ago)
Line the south pathway to backyard with pavers to hold the cypress mulch and define the path.
added by barbarajearly to barbarajearly's Ideas (2 months ago)
Path
added by Mandy's Spring Nursery and Landscaping to Obergfoll Landscaping (2 months ago)
ferns, drainage swale of cobblestones,clump paper birch trees
added by maryhd to garden (2 months ago)
beautiful natural walkway. relaxing just to look at it.
added by murchybone to murchybone's Ideas (3 months ago)
Perfect path
added by Mattea Wright to mattea_wright's Ideas (3 months ago)
All
added by 20thcenturyfox to 20thcenturyfox's ideas (3 months ago)
Keep this rock swale in mind for handling runoff in rainy season.
added by outofdebt to gardening (3 months ago)
drainage path idea
added by redheadedsandy to redheadedsandy's ideas (3 months ago)
beautiful
added by deborahcedillo to deborahcedillo's Ideas (3 months ago)
What's not to love ?
added by cheryldrost to Backyard (3 months ago)
Walkway
added by pbbarnard to pbbarnard's Ideas (3 months ago)
Hillside path
added by wendyloker to wendyloker's Ideas (3 months ago)
Beautiful path
added by designchallenged to garden-landscape (3 months ago)
side yard path?
added by lisakellydixon to landscape (3 months ago)
walkway
added by kpkales to kpkales's Ideas (3 months ago)
The pine straw makes a nice walkway
added by rgclawson to rgclawson's ideas (3 months ago)
the rock trim
added by dmwimmer to dmwimmer's Ideas (3 months ago)
I wish
added by Maplewood Cottage to Creek Bend House Ideas (3 months ago)
Path along slope on west side - use mulch, and build up far side with stones
added by noctisolis to Birch Tree (3 months ago)
beautiful trees
added by memalinda to memalinda's Favorites (3 months ago)
Walk
added by melissaz73 to Backyard (3 months ago)
Side house
added by Dana Chisholm to Log Cabin (3 months ago)
WalkwY
added by Aaron Vail to possible (3 months ago)
Home
added by martync333 to martync333's ideas (3 months ago)
A pathway through a wooded lot with layered vegetation.
added by gurholt to gurholt's ideas (3 months ago)
patio
added by jecarruthers to Bathroom (3 months ago)
mulch and beautiful forest
added by lnadeau to lnadeau's Ideas (3 months ago)
Extérieur
added by ogonzo19 to ogonzo19's ideas (3 months ago)
lanscape
added by Jeff Beck to home (3 months ago)
path
added by oscarom to oscarom's Ideas (3 months ago)
Entrada jardin
added by Jennifer Willis to jennifer_willis9070's Ideas (3 months ago)
Omg heaven
added by kmfischer to back yard (3 months ago)
ok to use LOTS of fern
added by Angela DeLorenzo Green to webuser_56039's Ideas (3 months ago)
Garden
added by jeffnfreda to jeffnfreda's ideas (3 months ago)
lovely. wood chip walking surface. great edging.
added by jwddesign to jwddesign's Ideas (3 months ago)
Nature
added by whitley13 to whitley13's Ideas (3 months ago)
I want our woods like this.
added by ckmerk to pathways (3 months ago)
crushed rock pathway
added by canterburykaz to garden (3 months ago)
Woodland feel
added by tulanekat1 to tulanekat1's Ideas (3 months ago)
Sloping yard
added by margaretwiegert to margaretwiegert's Ideas (3 months ago)
outdoor bench
added by M.a. Deshields to webuser_97490's ideas (3 months ago)
relax
added by jsham17 to jsham17's Ideas (3 months ago)
I like this look.
added by idahotranquility to Stormwater Management Strategies to heal and sustain our property (3 months ago)
naturalistic pathway/ trail with drainage ditches and permeable materials
added by traff to outdoors (3 months ago)
path
added by robertaellen to robertaellen's ideas (3 months ago)
Path behind house
added by dale7897 to dale7897's ideas (3 months ago)
Landscape
added by Erin Berg to Garden (3 months ago)
elevated path
added by Mark Porter to Landscaping (3 months ago)
Stone edged raise path
added by jusjss97 to jusjss97's Ideas (3 months ago)
Mulch walk
added by judy6 to judy6's ideas (3 months ago)
Trail for churcg
added by urbalscapes to Paths & Pavers (3 months ago)
needle pathway?