This property was discovered in a terribly neglected state. The old house was nicknamed “The Hurricane House of 1938” since it was the only house left standing after the tragic 1938 hurricane. In conjunction with it’s major renovation, M&M Garden Designs worked closely with the builder and interior designer to evaluate the interaction of the home and gardens. Working on this particular project was a challenge for designer Sandi Manna. The owners were completely unfamiliar with any flowers or garden style and were unsure of what they wanted. Working together through a series of questions and images, we were able to collaborate with the owners, the builder and the interior designer on a series of gardens that exemplifies the goal M&M Garden Designs strives for: designing to suit the owner’s lifestyle and creating the perfect place for their family to enjoy.
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An Annabelle hydrangea graces this corner with it's cloud-like white blossoms. Mirroring the Annabelle hydrangea on the other corner, it offers unity in the landscape. Taller shrubs transition to the side offering privacy. A colorful array of flowering shrubs offer beauty and harmony with the staggered bloom times of perennials throughout this seaside garden in Old Saybrook.
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Long and narrow, these raised beds are the ideal space for our client who has a special interest in the culinary arts. Focusing on specialty herbs and unique veggies, these beds offer the real estate necessary to delight any culinary aficionado, but are practical in design so that the middle of the garden can be reached from either side. Just about knee height, they offer a convenient elevation for sitting with an edge wide enough for stability while reaching in to get your delicacy.
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Here is another view of the herb and vegetable gardens. Resting just off to the side is an apple tree with an impressive harvest in the fall.
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Splashy perennials adorn the front porch garden of this seaside Old Saybrook home in the heart of Fenwick. Careful selection of plants that would not only provide color but could also tolerate the salt air and occasional storm were imperative.
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Shorter varieties of perennials in this seaside cottage garden fill the porch with color, but don't interfere with the sweeping ocean views. Staggering bloom times along with fragrant flowers also good for cutting make this a perfect seaside retreat in Old Saybrook.
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This expansive sweep of lawn leads to the edge of the seawall with a sandy beach just steps below.
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This Rose of Sharon adds height to the garden and is a unique way to add privacy to the porch. Additional perennials provide a bountiful bouquet for this Manhatten couple to bring inside all summer.
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A combination of hydrangeas along with various perennials provide both variety as well as continuity in this corner of the garden.
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Shorter varieties of perennials in this seaside cottage garden infuse the porch with lush color, but don't interfere with the sweeping ocean views. Staggering bloom times along with fragrant flowers also good for cutting make this a perfect seaside retreat.
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A combination of hydrangeas along with various perennials provide both variety as well as continuity in this corner of the garden.
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This section of the garden is filled with fragrant perennials. Close your eyes as the soft fragrances of a floral bouquet drift to your nose as the gentle sound of waves lapping upon the shore allows you to drift off in this hammock.
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An Annabelle hydrangea graces this corner with it's cloud-like white blossoms. Mirroring the Annabelle hydrangea on the other corner, it offers unity in the landscape. Taller shrubs transition to the side offering privacy. A colorful array of flowering shrubs offer beauty and harmony with the staggered bloom times of perennials throughout this seaside garden in Old Saybrook.
The goal was to achieve balance between the residence, the gardens and the sweeping ocean views. The Manhattan couple purchased the home with intent for summer getaways and long term family gatherings. They wanted to escape the Manhattan concrete jungle and spend the summer awash in color.
The landscape design was focused on a seaside theme and allowed for a dramatic reveal of the home from the gravel drive which curves through a honeysuckle laden fence on either side.
A bluestone terrace was expanded upon with aged bluestone matched on site. A formal pattern garden of boxwoods border a privet hedge which has a narrow arch that leads directly to the raised bed vegetable garden. Stones from the property were repurposed as a pathway between the two raised vegetable garden beds. Neighboring residences are screened with a variety of elegant evergreen False Cypress with colorful perennials in the foreground.
The rear gardens feature a seaside themed cutting and cottage garden. Colorful perennials and seaside grasses sway in the ocean breeze. This property underwent a major transformation.
Take a peek at how the space looked originally with our before gallery:
