Village Secret Garden

Woodstock, VT 

The three-story renovated Arts and Crafts house sits on a tight Village lot between the street and the Kedron Brook. With minimal front or side yard space, the design focus established a private rear yard ‘oasis’ for outdoor use and relaxation.

A six-foot high cedar screen fence defines the garden and provides necessary privacy from close neighbors. Within this context, an elliptical lawn panel defined and bordered by lush perennial and shrub plantings becomes the visual (from above decks) and functional space. The ellipse is punctuated by two ornamental grass blocks and a boxwood hedge, and a bluestone terrace offers a ground level gathering space. 

Two paths lead to and from the garden: one accesses the shady bank of the adjacent Kedron Brook while the upper path leads through a gate, up a series of field stone steps, to the parking court and road.