Respectful Updates Refresh an 18th-Century New England Farm
A landscape designer balances history and modern living for a young family in Connecticut
“It’s rare to come to a property and see, through the trees, the sense of history,” landscape designer Rosalia Sanni says. But she says that’s what she experienced upon visiting this 2-acre property in Connecticut, an old working farm that predates the American Revolution by more than 50 years. “It had this instant sense of history and character driving up to it,” she says. Two trees on the property — an American basswood and a sycamore — are included in the town’s historic-tree inventory.
The homeowners, a couple with three young children, hired Sanni to update parts of the landscape. They asked that she preserve the character of the farm (and all of its trees) while infusing it with practical, modern farmhouse style for a family of five. “It had some really nice moments but needed to be reimagined for the time,” Sanni says.
The homeowners, a couple with three young children, hired Sanni to update parts of the landscape. They asked that she preserve the character of the farm (and all of its trees) while infusing it with practical, modern farmhouse style for a family of five. “It had some really nice moments but needed to be reimagined for the time,” Sanni says.
The property’s original 18th-century farmhouse still stands, as seen here, and connects to an addition built in 2013 (seen in the previous photo). The family, for the most part, comes and goes through the newer portion of the home, as it sits on a quieter street. They chose not privatize this portion of the landscape during the renovation, keeping the view of the original farmhouse open to everyone who passes by.
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Find a landscape designer on Houzz
A new outdoor living area sits behind the addition, providing the family with an outdoor spot for eating, lounging, cooking and enjoying the view of the farm and meadow preserve that abuts their property (and was once part of the farm).
In keeping with the style of the home and the history of the site, Sanni chose materials often seen in traditional, hardworking landscapes. But she used them in a way that makes the space feel of the moment. “It’s detailed in a more simple way,” she says. The custom bluestone fire pit, for example, has no cap or ornamentation. The bluestone paver pattern looks like something you would see in a contemporary design.
The modern detailing also creates a clear boundary between what is new and what is original. “It is about using some of the same materials but detailing and preparing them in a way that is crisper and cleaner and fresher, so that they look new, not like they’ve always been there,” she says.
In keeping with the style of the home and the history of the site, Sanni chose materials often seen in traditional, hardworking landscapes. But she used them in a way that makes the space feel of the moment. “It’s detailed in a more simple way,” she says. The custom bluestone fire pit, for example, has no cap or ornamentation. The bluestone paver pattern looks like something you would see in a contemporary design.
The modern detailing also creates a clear boundary between what is new and what is original. “It is about using some of the same materials but detailing and preparing them in a way that is crisper and cleaner and fresher, so that they look new, not like they’ve always been there,” she says.
Designer tip: Design a patio or an outdoor room with furniture in mind. Not only will it help you determine the space’s size, but it will also give you a better sense of the atmosphere you want to create.
See contemporary outdoor lounge furniture on Houzz
See contemporary outdoor lounge furniture on Houzz
Sanni used Pennsylvania bluestone, a local material, for the patio paving. “It reads really well in traditional landscapes, and it reads really well in modern landscapes,” she says. A traditional design might have featured more of a natural cleft finish, but in this project she opted for a thermal finish for clean, uniform pavers.
Native Connecticut gravel breaks up the expanse of paving and carves out a separate outdoor room for the lounge area. Lawn and bluestone pavers bisect the two outdoor areas and lead out into the landscape.
Native Connecticut gravel breaks up the expanse of paving and carves out a separate outdoor room for the lounge area. Lawn and bluestone pavers bisect the two outdoor areas and lead out into the landscape.
Another view of the new patio
One of the things Sanni aimed to do was create a better connection between the home and landscape. Here we see how newly installed pavers next to the new portion of the house could entice the homeowners outside and invite them to explore what lies beyond.
Learn how to better connect your home to the landscape
Learn how to better connect your home to the landscape
The landscape design also offers strategic views to the home’s interiors as a way to join the two spaces. In some instances Sanni used hedges and plants to frame important outdoor elements, as we see in this view. In other places, hedges partially obscure elements as a way to draw visitors out into the yard.
A mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees creates attractive views year-round for the homeowners. “We wanted to think about what they’re looking at in winter,” Sanni says.
The designer worked with local tree experts, who consulted on all of the mature trees on the property before, during and after construction. They assessed the health of the trees, fertilized them and advised Sunni on what could be planted and installed around them.
Find a tree expert in your area
A mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees creates attractive views year-round for the homeowners. “We wanted to think about what they’re looking at in winter,” Sanni says.
The designer worked with local tree experts, who consulted on all of the mature trees on the property before, during and after construction. They assessed the health of the trees, fertilized them and advised Sunni on what could be planted and installed around them.
Find a tree expert in your area
In addition to preserving the property’s collection of heritage trees, Sanni planted around the patio and throughout the property. The plants add layers, create privacy, impart beauty and highlight the existing trees. “I didn’t want to overpopulate,” the designer says.
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) and a quad of London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia) surround the patio, providing summer shade and winter structure. “When you are sitting in the patio it feels private, but when you are standing up it feels open,” Sanni says.
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) and a quad of London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia) surround the patio, providing summer shade and winter structure. “When you are sitting in the patio it feels private, but when you are standing up it feels open,” Sanni says.
Evergreen hedges also frame the patio, providing some color over winter.
See more easy-care evergreen plants and plant combinations
See more easy-care evergreen plants and plant combinations
Pink celosia, an annual flower, grows in the new cutting garden. Its bold flowers have a soft, felt-like feeling.
When redesigning the landscape, Sanni didn’t lose sight of the fact that it’s also a yard for a growing family. “The whole thing had to be kid-friendly,” she says. Fragrant, edible and touchable plants grow at a lower height for the kids. Much of the lawn was kept, so there is plenty of room for running and playing. Hedges line the perimeter for privacy and protect the kids from cars on busy streets.
When redesigning the landscape, Sanni didn’t lose sight of the fact that it’s also a yard for a growing family. “The whole thing had to be kid-friendly,” she says. Fragrant, edible and touchable plants grow at a lower height for the kids. Much of the lawn was kept, so there is plenty of room for running and playing. Hedges line the perimeter for privacy and protect the kids from cars on busy streets.
Mason: Ottavio’s Custom Stonework
Landscape installation and maintenance: Plantscapes Organics
Tree care: Bartlett Tree Experts
More on Houzz
Get more landscape inspiration
Tour more inspiring gardens on Houzz
Landscape installation and maintenance: Plantscapes Organics
Tree care: Bartlett Tree Experts
More on Houzz
Get more landscape inspiration
Tour more inspiring gardens on Houzz
Landscape at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three young children
Location: Fairfield County, Connecticut
Size: 2.4 acres
Designer: Rosalia Sanni Design
To get started, Sanni spent time walking the property, studying what could be improved, what might be highlighted and what shouldn’t be touched. “We didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” she says.
The redesign includes a new back patio area, a vegetable and cutting garden, a play area and lighting, and it involved regrading and creating other garden rooms and planting areas, all designed to balance contemporary living with the site’s heritage. Sanni included a pool and additional plantings in the master plan, to be implemented in the future.
Designer tip: A phased construction project, in which a project is implemented in smaller pieces over time, is a popular renovation tactic. Its benefits include lower upfront costs, shorter construction time and the ability make future changes. If you choose a phased project, be sure to discuss it with your designer or builder early on. “Ask your professional how to phase it for access, or if it makes sense to do things together,” Sanni says.