Created for a couple moving to a smaller house and lot in order to “down¬-size” after their children had left home, this garden’s design presented many challenges. The wife, an ardent gardener, had a long wish list: a water feature; specific plants (including a river birch, a gingko tree, oakleaf hydrangeas, plants to attract butterflies, and trilliums), fragrance, a small patio, and a potting shed. She also wanted to eliminate grass from any part of the property, and to have space to plant annuals (in containers and other areas). In short, she wanted a small “dream garden” created from a site that even she characterized as “disastrous-looking” at the outset. The wife wanted pathways that would allow her to visit all parts of the garden. The patio space did not need to be sizable because of the high deck off the back of the house, but the views from the deck were important. We accomplished all of the clients' goals, and designed a series of small "garden rooms" in the backyard to create the illusion of a larger space. We also designed a "faux potting shed" front to screen the area under the deck and incorporated a raised planting bed for annuals and herbs, which was featured in an article in Fine Gardening the following year as an inventive way to disguise an eyesore in the landscape. This garden received an Award of Distinction in 2009 from the DC/MD/VA Landscape Contractors Association. A view from the deck into the corner of the back yard, with a crape myrtle to provide seasonal interest.© Melissa Clark Photography

Design ideas for a shabby-chic style courtyard landscaping in San Francisco.

https://www.spacecrafting.com
This is an example of a shabby-chic style landscaping in Minneapolis.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2016 Houzz
Photo of a shabby-chic style landscaping in New York.

If you want to entertain in the backyard you can remove the hammock and add a table with chairs plus a few extra design elements. Now you have a fantastic area for entertaining.

Summer blooms | Lore Patterson
Inspiration for a small shabby-chic style landscaping in Seattle.

Paul Kiefer, Specialty Gardens LLC
Inspiration for a mid-sized shabby-chic style partial sun front yard brick landscaping in Grand Rapids for summer.

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The small backyard off the patio was carefully landscaped to include lush flowers and plants that can grow year-round. The cute playhouse with raised vegetable beds were a must for this owner, and our team was eager to make a custom nook for the children, all the while incorporating the small space and patio it includes.

Photo: Brenda Olde © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a shabby-chic style landscaping in Denver.

The small backyard off the patio was carefully landscaped to include lush flowers and plants that can grow year-round. The cute playhouse with raised vegetable beds were a must for this owner, and our team was eager to make a custom nook for the children, all the while incorporating the small space and patio it includes.

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Precious playhouse.
This is an example of a small shabby-chic style outdoor playset in New York.

Photo of a shabby-chic style landscaping in New York.

Custom pergola and flagstone patio feature a custom-built "china cabinet" to create an outdoor living room. The cabinet - complete with bubble glass door inserts and soft close drawers - served as a potting shed. The wooden walls on either side are disguised storage closets that house gardening tools.

Todd Tyler
Design ideas for a shabby-chic style landscaping in Los Angeles.

Inspiration for a shabby-chic style landscaping in Portland.

Buckets of blooms at a roadside flower stand | Lore Patterson
Photo of a small shabby-chic style landscaping in Seattle.

Design ideas for a shabby-chic style landscaping in Santa Barbara.