Elegant Estate - Hinsdale

For this new build in Hinsdale, designed by architect Michael Abraham, we utilized traditional materials in a modern, streamlined way. The project began with the creation of an expansive front courtyard framed by Old World garden walls, designed to give the home an immediate sense of scale and permanence. Within this courtyard, we used a structured combination of evergreens and boxwood hedges, punctuated with perennials for seasonal interest.

In the backyard, natural limestone was used for the retaining walls, providing a clean backdrop for a bluestone patio tailored for elegant entertaining. A unique feature of this landscape is the set of grass steps that lead down from the terrace to the lower lawn, softening the transition between the stone and the greenery.

The planting strategy for this estate focused heavily on foliage color and textural contrast to ensure the garden remains vibrant even when flowers aren't in bloom. We achieved this by pairing fine-leafed Taxus with ornamental grasses and hostas, creating a sophisticated palette that relies on form and texture to maintain visual interest throughout the year.