We Can Dream: Step Inside a Secluded Retreat in Key West
Replanted after Hurricane Irma, a secret garden in Florida features overgrown foliage, winding paths and a hidden pool
This home in the center of Old Town Key West does its best to stay hidden. It can be accessed only on foot, requiring a walk down a 50-foot-long path from the street to the middle of the block to reach it. Once you’ve made it that far, you’re greeted by a gate made from wood and local stone, surrounded by lush green foliage, that only subtly hints at what lies beyond — as secret gardens do.
Photo by Stephen Dunn
After making your way through the gate, you walk down a path several paces and turn left to get to the house. Built roughly 80 years ago, the house was recently restored by architect Thomas Pope, just before landscape architect Craig Reynolds was brought on to renovate the landscape. The men’s time working on the property overlapped, and they collaborated on some aspects of the project, particularly where landscape and structure meet.
Completely renovated by Reynolds in the summer of 2017, and then replanted after Hurricane Irma tore up about half of it three weeks later, this garden is unrecognizable from what it once was: a dry piece of dirt with a few palm tees. It had sat empty for years, once the home of bestselling author Nancy Friday, breaking down and decaying from neglect. For Reynolds and the homeowners, a couple from New Jersey who use this as a second home, it was an opportunity to restore a piece of Florida’s Key West and create a lush tropical hideaway.
After making your way through the gate, you walk down a path several paces and turn left to get to the house. Built roughly 80 years ago, the house was recently restored by architect Thomas Pope, just before landscape architect Craig Reynolds was brought on to renovate the landscape. The men’s time working on the property overlapped, and they collaborated on some aspects of the project, particularly where landscape and structure meet.
Completely renovated by Reynolds in the summer of 2017, and then replanted after Hurricane Irma tore up about half of it three weeks later, this garden is unrecognizable from what it once was: a dry piece of dirt with a few palm tees. It had sat empty for years, once the home of bestselling author Nancy Friday, breaking down and decaying from neglect. For Reynolds and the homeowners, a couple from New Jersey who use this as a second home, it was an opportunity to restore a piece of Florida’s Key West and create a lush tropical hideaway.
Home and garden meet at a new wraparound porch, a special request from the homeowners. The 10-foot-wide mahogany-decked porch was added on during the home renovation, in collaboration with the landscape architect.
From the porch, the owners can relax and admire the diversity of leaf types and textures planted throughout the property. Low-growing Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’ borders the deck and will not grow up and block the view out into the landscape.
From the porch, the owners can relax and admire the diversity of leaf types and textures planted throughout the property. Low-growing Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’ borders the deck and will not grow up and block the view out into the landscape.
The brick path that took you from the gate to the house continues around the yard, weaving and meandering through small seating nooks and areas of interest.
One such area is a newly constructed pool, which sits to the side of the house and can be admired from the porch.
From this view you can also see how close the nearest neighbors are, with the rooftops of adjacent homes poking through the tops of the palm trees. The pygmy date palms (Phoenix roebelenii), planted by Reynolds’ team, won’t grow much taller, maintaining the view that continues past the property line. “A natural view really adds to the space,” Reynolds says, and creates the feeling of a larger yard.
From this view you can also see how close the nearest neighbors are, with the rooftops of adjacent homes poking through the tops of the palm trees. The pygmy date palms (Phoenix roebelenii), planted by Reynolds’ team, won’t grow much taller, maintaining the view that continues past the property line. “A natural view really adds to the space,” Reynolds says, and creates the feeling of a larger yard.
The 12-by-18-foot pool was designed to feel like a swimming hole, “like it was carved out and repurposed,” Reynolds says. Unlike some pools, which are designed as a yard’s focal point, this doesn’t dominate the design. It’s nestled into the yard and features narrow entry stairs that have to be “discovered.”
The same oolite stone used throughout the project forms a backdrop to the pool, with water streaming down it like a natural fountain. “When you’re looking at the stones, you really feel like you’re in a grotto,” Reynolds says. Mexican volcanic stone forms the pool’s coping, and individual chunks of the same stone make up the steps that lead down into the pool.
The same oolite stone used throughout the project forms a backdrop to the pool, with water streaming down it like a natural fountain. “When you’re looking at the stones, you really feel like you’re in a grotto,” Reynolds says. Mexican volcanic stone forms the pool’s coping, and individual chunks of the same stone make up the steps that lead down into the pool.
A network of interconnected paths lead from one gathering space to another, winding around corners and connecting with other points of interest. Reynolds likens it to “a web of circulation.” All in all, there are five such hubs in the landscape, including an outdoor dining patio and nooks with built-in benches.
A dusty-red reclaimed brick is the primary path material. The yard had originally featured brick paving, and Reynolds reintroduced it during this renovation. Paving patterns change as you move through the yard, creating interest and guidance.
A dusty-red reclaimed brick is the primary path material. The yard had originally featured brick paving, and Reynolds reintroduced it during this renovation. Paving patterns change as you move through the yard, creating interest and guidance.
One portion of the brick path leads past the main house to a new guesthouse, barely noticeable behind arching native thatch palms. These trees, scheduled to be destroyed on a site set to be developed, were rescued by the construction team and brought to this project.
Here you can also see some of the various outdoor light fixtures used in the project, from a freestanding path light to a post with a historic-looking lantern by Carolina Lanterns (one of four scattered around the property).
Here you can also see some of the various outdoor light fixtures used in the project, from a freestanding path light to a post with a historic-looking lantern by Carolina Lanterns (one of four scattered around the property).
Photo by Stephen Dunn
Designer tip: Don’t forget landscape lighting. “Lighting is like you have another property,” Reynolds says. “You can focus people in different ways with the light.” In his smaller projects especially, Reynolds likes to accent the paths and downplay the garden’s edges, making the space feel even larger.
Designer tip: Don’t forget landscape lighting. “Lighting is like you have another property,” Reynolds says. “You can focus people in different ways with the light.” In his smaller projects especially, Reynolds likes to accent the paths and downplay the garden’s edges, making the space feel even larger.
Photo by Stephen Dunn
Reynolds also incorporated secondary materials for smaller, less prominent paths. “You create a hierarchy with that,” he says. Here we see Tennessee Crab Orchard flagstone forking off the brick.
Mondo grass frames the flagstone path, with river rock sitting in between the pavers. The river rock is permeable and requires less maintenance than plants growing between the stones would. It also keeps the path cleaner.
Designer tip: Create a sense of mystery by not revealing the whole garden at once — even in smaller gardens. “It makes the whole space feel bigger,” Reynolds says, and leads to a more interesting experience.
Reynolds also incorporated secondary materials for smaller, less prominent paths. “You create a hierarchy with that,” he says. Here we see Tennessee Crab Orchard flagstone forking off the brick.
Mondo grass frames the flagstone path, with river rock sitting in between the pavers. The river rock is permeable and requires less maintenance than plants growing between the stones would. It also keeps the path cleaner.
Designer tip: Create a sense of mystery by not revealing the whole garden at once — even in smaller gardens. “It makes the whole space feel bigger,” Reynolds says, and leads to a more interesting experience.
Photo by Stephen Dunn
A concrete fountain made with river rock and oolite is one of the features you’ll discover while walking through the garden.
A concrete fountain made with river rock and oolite is one of the features you’ll discover while walking through the garden.
Photo by Stephen Dunn
Plants played an important role in the project — a key request from a homeowner was to have the space feel lush and overplanted. Close neighbors with mature plants also influenced plant selection. “Shade and privacy are huge in Key West,” Reynolds says. The right plants in the right place can help with this.
Reynolds used a combination of native plants and tropical species that would help create the effect the homeowners were after and stand up to the site’s conditions. For example, Reynolds relied on the exotics in the extra-shady areas where native plants might not survive. “There are very few native plants that can handle the shade,” he says. Bromeliads, philodendrons and a layering of tropicals fill out the understory.
Reynolds also selected plants that can stand up to unwanted garden visitors. “Iguanas eat everything,” he says. They have overrun the island.
General contractor: Rick Bird of Bird Construction
Pool contractor: Pool Tek of the Palm Beaches
Landscape contractor: Just Keys Trees
Lighting and irrigation: Blue Island
Stonework: Stone Fish
More
10 Ways to Create a Secret Garden
Find a landscape designer near you
Browse landscape path lighting
Plants played an important role in the project — a key request from a homeowner was to have the space feel lush and overplanted. Close neighbors with mature plants also influenced plant selection. “Shade and privacy are huge in Key West,” Reynolds says. The right plants in the right place can help with this.
Reynolds used a combination of native plants and tropical species that would help create the effect the homeowners were after and stand up to the site’s conditions. For example, Reynolds relied on the exotics in the extra-shady areas where native plants might not survive. “There are very few native plants that can handle the shade,” he says. Bromeliads, philodendrons and a layering of tropicals fill out the understory.
Reynolds also selected plants that can stand up to unwanted garden visitors. “Iguanas eat everything,” he says. They have overrun the island.
General contractor: Rick Bird of Bird Construction
Pool contractor: Pool Tek of the Palm Beaches
Landscape contractor: Just Keys Trees
Lighting and irrigation: Blue Island
Stonework: Stone Fish
More
10 Ways to Create a Secret Garden
Find a landscape designer near you
Browse landscape path lighting
Yard at a Glance
Location: Key West, Florida
Size: One-tenth of an acre of exterior space on a one-fifth-acre lot
Designer: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture
Reclaimed-brick paving, towering foliage and walls made from oolite, a locally sourced sedimentary rock, at the home’s entry set the tone for the garden. Once you’ve crossed the threshold, it opens up to a series of winding paths, thickly planted tropicals and intimate gathering areas.