Saturday July 18, 10:00 to 11:30am | Dedham Lowder Brook by Keith LeBlanc and John Haven of Keith LeBlanc Landscape Architecture A series of structured gardens and terraces were designed in conjunction with a new Greek Revival home set on twelve acres within a residential neighborhood in suburban Boston. The unusual scale of the property conveys the feel of secluded New England woodland, highlighting the dramatic beauty of the existing mature trees, which were carefully cultivated and catalogued by a previous owner with ties to the Arnold Arboretum. The gardens provide spaces both grand, as in the front approach, and intimate, as the walled rear garden, and mediate between the architecture and the woodland setting. Pathways surrounded by rhododendrons and viburnums lead visitors to a hedged pool garden and orchard meadow. The result of this close collaboration among owner, architect, and landscape architect is a subtly crafted landscape at harmony with its formal and naturalistic cues. Photos by Jane Messinger and Keith LeBlanc

Saturday, May 30, 3:30 to 5:00pm | Pacific Palisades Amalfi Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith This one-acre site at a 120-foot elevation overlooking Rustic Canyon has breathtaking, panoramic views. Though the California Monterrey colonial style house was built in 1933 for the silent film star Billie Dove, every aspect of the garden is new except for the Eucalyptus. A long interwoven hedge acts as a green plinth transforming the 150-wide house into a giant sculptural element. Giant raw steel planters created in homage to sculptor Richard Serra repeat this theme. The front garden is patterned after the Court of the Myrtles at the Alhambra in Seville, Spain, while the rear garden embraces the expansive view and is toned in aqueous colored succulent plantings that tie into the rectangular swimming pool. The muted color palette focuses attention on the contrasting plant textures and sculptural qualities, from arcing white Agaves, giant blue Fan Palms, and sinuous Eucalyptus. The south facing kitchen courtyard showcases indigenous California pottery materials and an extensive collection of Hollywood movie garden furniture memorabilia. Photos by Jorge Rafael

Chris Nguyen
Home design - modern home design idea in Houston

Chris Nguyen
Home design - modern home design idea in Houston

Chris Nguyen
Example of a minimalist kitchen design in Houston

Kitchen photo in Other

Saturday July 18, 3:30 to 6:00pm | Lakeville Native Wildflower Meadow and Woodland Garden Larry Weaner of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates In the area surrounding Lake Wononskopomuc in northwest Connecticut, two landscapes, each distinct yet inspired by the region’s natural environment, offer insight into the design of native landscapes and the role of the landscape architect in determining the trajectory of site evolution. Once a field of barren turf located along the lake’s northern shoreline, the first site has been transformed into a mature, native meadow, with spectacular diversity and full floral display. The second site, a more recent woodland planting on the lake’s eastern shoreline, supports a landscape in an earlier stage of evolution. While evidence of establishment techniques remain visible, this season marks a distinct moment in the landscape’s advance toward full maturity. Despite their modest size, these landscapes provide a momentous occasion to better understand designed, native landscapes and their growth and evolution. Born in the mind of the designer and bearing his thumbprint, these native landscapes spring from the dance between humans and the patterns and processes of nature. Photos courtesy of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates

Saturday June 20, 1:30 to 3:00pm | Greenwich Village Urban Aerie by David Kamp, FASLA, of Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, PC For their award-winning terrace design, the landscape architects created a relaxing setting using the same materials they employed on their client’s beachfront hideaway (as part of this Dialogue, attendees visit the terrace where they’ll also get a presentation about the beach property). Contrasts in texture and color are carefully arranged. Cedar, weathered to a buff grey, is used throughout for decking and set off in places with borders of dark round stones. The wood is carefully treated so it’s smooth underfoot. Two bow front metal perimeter planters overflow with grasses, which soften the edges. Strategically placed cedar planters with amelanchier, also known as juneberry, are used as a screening device, to frame dramatic views from the apartment and provide some canopy. A single pine, together with the juneberry, provides sculptural interest. All the plants, which are either native or naturalized, weather the harsh winter winds and temperatures. Photo courtesy Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, PC

Sunday, June 28, 1:00 to 2:30pm | Washington, DC Forest Hills Residence by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture with architect Christopher Morrison, FAIA, LEED-AP This recently renovated urban landscape and garden located in the Northwest quarter of Washington, DC, sprang from a near-complete reconstruction of the property’s main house. Adjacent to Rock Creek Park, a large urban park and natural area, the landscape and gardens reflect both the woodland character of the nearby park and the modern architectural design of the home. Mirroring a distinct, internal angular wall separating the public and private spaces of the residence, a complimentary wall in the outdoor garden creates a dialogue between the interior of the home and the outdoor living space. Throughout the renovation process, the architect and landscape architect worked cooperatively to create a memorable outdoor space. Moving the original garage entrance allowed for an extension of the entry garden, where an extended walkway and ornamental screen along the street front provide enhanced privacy for the residence and create a garden backdrop visible from inside the home. Plantings in the rear of the home occupy the site’s natural slope as the property descends steeply into Creek Valley, a spur of Rock Creek Park, and provide residents with a rare scenic view of dense woodlands and a space for quiet contemplation in the midst of the bustling metro region. Photo courtesy Graham Landscape Architecture

Saturday, May 30, 3:30 to 5:00pm | Pacific Palisades Amalfi Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith This one-acre site at a 120-foot elevation overlooking Rustic Canyon has breathtaking, panoramic views. Though the California Monterrey colonial style house was built in 1933 for the silent film star Billie Dove, every aspect of the garden is new except for the Eucalyptus. A long interwoven hedge acts as a green plinth transforming the 150-wide house into a giant sculptural element. Giant raw steel planters created in homage to sculptor Richard Serra repeat this theme. The front garden is patterned after the Court of the Myrtles at the Alhambra in Seville, Spain, while the rear garden embraces the expansive view and is toned in aqueous colored succulent plantings that tie into the rectangular swimming pool. The muted color palette focuses attention on the contrasting plant textures and sculptural qualities, from arcing white Agaves, giant blue Fan Palms, and sinuous Eucalyptus. The south facing kitchen courtyard showcases indigenous California pottery materials and an extensive collection of Hollywood movie garden furniture memorabilia. Photos by Jorge Rafael

Inspiration for a contemporary nursery remodel in Portland

Saturday May 16, 10:30am to 12:00pm | Saratoga Blackwell Hillside Garden by Rebecca Dye and Hank Helbush of Design Focus International Register: https://tclf.org/event/garden-dialogues-northern-california-2015 Each detail of this spectacular Saratoga landscape was considered with its hillside site in mind, from the size of the pool to the choice of antique stone masonry. Working closely with the owner, the landscape architects created a series of intimate garden spaces on three terraces. At the top of the site, entertainment is the name of the game where a bocce ball court and a fire pit take advantage of the site’s commanding views of the Santa Clara Valley. Below the house, a jewel-like pool captures the eye, with its intricate glass-tile and bronze water jets. At its end, a seating area and fireplace are shaded by an arbor covered with climbing roses, adding both fragrance and hue. Visitors descend a series of terraced stone stairs set into the hillside, punctuated by raised beds of strawberries, lavender, artichokes, and citrus. A formal parterre flower garden on the terrace is replanted periodically with colorful blooms in acknowledgment of the changing seasons. Photos by Lauren Devon

Chris Nguyen
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Houston

Saturday, August 22, 9:00 to 10:30am | Aspen | Stillwater by Valerie Yaw and Jane Lanter of Bluegreen Bounded by the natural beauty of the great Rocky Mountains, this landscape complements the wild aesthetic of the surrounding environment. Taking a design cue from nature, this property represents the extraordinary potential of a visionary design process and close working relationship between the property owners and design team. Enclosed by stone walls and designed for artistic contrast with the home’s architecture, a spacious patio provides room for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. Nearby, a collection of stainless steel rods designed to varying heights define an outdoor spa area, adding artistry to the site. The airy aesthetic of the mountainous landscape is emulated in the emphasis of openness and perspective. A recirculating stream and basin formed of stone slabs unifies the property in a common plan, with just a hint of Western ruggedness. Views of the picturesque landscape stretching far beyond the edges of the property combine to paint a truly inspiring scene. Photo by Jason Dewey Photography, courtesy Bluegreen

Saturday, August 22, 9:30am to 5:30pm | Vancouver, Canada | Villa Maris by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, with Eva Matsuzaki and Bryce Gauthier of Enns Gauthier Landscape Architects, Inc. A collaboration with emerging firm Enns Gauthier Landscape Architects Inc., this project features a newly completed green roof at the iconic Villa Maris -- a 15-story, 101 unit, seaside resort-style, 1960s apartment building known locally as the Pink Palace, a nod to the vibrant color of its exterior. Here undulating mounds mimic the waves of the seaside visible in the distance. Photo courtesy Enns Gauthier Landscape Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a contemporary kids' room remodel in Portland

Saturday, April 11, 2:00-3:30pm Register Online: https://tclf.org/event/garden-dialogues-dallas-fort-worth-2015 One Westover by William Bibb and Brian McDonald of Archiverde, LLC, with Weldon Turner, Turner | Boaz Architecture This stately private property, originally owned by the philanthropic Rhodes family for more than 100 years, was completely renovated by the current owner from 2010-2013. The project is a major collaboration between the landscape architect and architect, both of whom will participate in the Dialogue. The landscape is just over an acre, and its design is based on centerlines and relationships of the architecture. The arrival is marked by a sweeping walkway that runs along the edge of a grand central lawn and stately groves of pond cypress trees frame the house on both sides. At the rear of the home an open courtyard holds an elaborate swimming pool complete with fountain, infinity weir and shallow water ledge. An adjacent fire pit is surrounded by four live oak trees. The pool and fire pit area were designed based upon the centerline of the master bedroom. At the basement area the lower courtyard centers on the large library windows. Here lacey Japanese maple trees set in large pots provide a delicate canopy. To the east a veranda overlooks a small lawn area backed by pre-existing woodland and a creek bed enhanced by new native plantings. Photos by One Westover::William Bibb and Brian McDonald, Archiverde LLC::Copyright Ryan Bibb Photography

Saturday May 16, 10:30am to 12:00pm | Saratoga Blackwell Hillside Garden by Rebecca Dye and Hank Helbush of Design Focus International Register: https://tclf.org/event/garden-dialogues-northern-california-2015 Each detail of this spectacular Saratoga landscape was considered with its hillside site in mind, from the size of the pool to the choice of antique stone masonry. Working closely with the owner, the landscape architects created a series of intimate garden spaces on three terraces. At the top of the site, entertainment is the name of the game where a bocce ball court and a fire pit take advantage of the site’s commanding views of the Santa Clara Valley. Below the house, a jewel-like pool captures the eye, with its intricate glass-tile and bronze water jets. At its end, a seating area and fireplace are shaded by an arbor covered with climbing roses, adding both fragrance and hue. Visitors descend a series of terraced stone stairs set into the hillside, punctuated by raised beds of strawberries, lavender, artichokes, and citrus. A formal parterre flower garden on the terrace is replanted periodically with colorful blooms in acknowledgment of the changing seasons. Photos by Lauren Devon