This two-acre property sits on a bend in Heady Creek, in the Village of Southampton. Karen worked with the architects and interior designer to create outdoor spaces that celebrate the beautiful water views. Patios were created at the same level as the first floor of the home, set above the one hundred year flood elevation, to create a seamless meeting of indoor and outdoor spaces. The fireplace and hot tub were sited at opposite ends of the patio. The hot tub was sited in a way to create a pleasing focal element, with large steps for seating around it. It steps down to be closer to the pool but is still high enough to view over the pool to the surrounding natural environment. There was originally a pond in the front yard, but it had dilapidated to a mud pit in recent years. Karen worked with an engineer and landscapers to turn the pond into a rain garden that stores storm water as it empties into the adjacent creek. This allowed the creation of a large lawn to complement the clean, modern aesthetic of the home.
Plantings and gardens were created that serve various purposes. A vegetable and herb garden was installed along the kitchen, outdoor barbecue side of the patio to provide the clients with fresh salad greens, herbs and tomatoes during the growing season. In early spring, Daffodils and Grape Hyacinth light up this garden. Terraces were carefully constructed to create ideal planting beds for various types of plants. Evergreen and quicker growing deciduous screen planting was designed to completely obscure the neighboring property immediately during summer months. Slower growing evergreen shrubs were planted under the Birch trees to eventually provide all-season screening.
