Soon after the clients moved into their classic brownstone, they got the bad news. A great deal of “their” new garden in fact belonged to the neighbors: busy restaurants on either side with full view into these new residents’ backyard. Initially they wanted to build a privacy fence; but instead we suggested planters to provide more interest and life. Four-foot high wooden boxes planted with fast-growing conifers create an impenetrable yet friendly hedge. We paved it in brick, now offering extra space for them and their active little toddler.