This new home located at Warren point, in Little Compton, Rhode Island, sits on a picturesque rugged open coastal landscape with scenic views of the Sakonnet River. Carefully sized and detailed with the tight building regulations of the area, its part of a family compound with a new garage building and an existing home and studio. The rural coastal charm, characterizes the simple elements of new home and landscape.

 The new and old buildings, are woven together with new stonewalls, a small cottage garden, strategically located sheds, a new winding driveway court and varied coastal plantings. The stonework on the building is carried into the landscape with stone walls, walkways, and the patios. Large puddingstones found on site are incorporated into the driveway mound and as sitting rocks at the edge of the patio with their unique colors.

 The outdoor spaces are experienced as three distinct areas. The new entry court with a crushed shell driveway wraps around a gentle low mound, thickly planted with pine, groundsel and hydrangea shrubs with aronias, amsonias, irises and bearberry that hug the ground. A loose hedge row of old and new shrubs such as red cedars, winterberry, bayberry, asters and artemisia along the existing stone walls screen the house and entry court from the road. The two relocated sheds and new cottage garden create privacy while connecting the new and existing home. Gates make it accessible from both sides, a shared space to garden and gather for all generations of this family. Custom picket fence, carved bunnies and simple gate details provide an understated charm.  Low thyme, and sedum hug the back patios stones and porch wrapping around the side to more salt tolerant shrubs like virginia sweetspire and fringe tree in protected corners. Lush perennials of irises, baptisia, roses around the existing koi pond offer color in the summer viewed from the kitchen windows.

The minimalist plant palette comprises of native and non native, salt and wind tolerant plants integrate the outdoor spaces with a unique tapestry of finely textured plants that offer seasonal color and lushness to the home and  garden of a plant lover, gardener and landscape architect client.