This backyard retreat in Mattituck already had deep roots as a working farm, so Pembrooke Fine Landscapes chose to keep that expanse of land as the primary view—despite pool-fence zoning regulations, which were met with a ha-ha variation that sits low to the ground.
A pergola was fashioned of rough-sawn red cedar, one of several natural materials that speak to the property’s 19th-century barn and the neat rows of plantings. The scheme is “most respectful of the indigenous environment and context,” says judge Lee Mindel.
Anyone entering this garden adjacent to a private home in Sagaponack will likely feel transported to an exotic oceanfront resort. In other words, “soothing, lush, natural, and relaxed,” according to judge Matthew Patrick Smyth.
LaGuardia Design Group configured the garden along a central axis, off of which lies an apple orchard and a series of outdoor rooms, each with a distinct function. An infinity-edge pool helps link the spaces visually.
It’s hard to believe that only a few years ago a dated ranch house stood on the same Southampton plot as this newly built Palladian-style villa with picturesque formal gardens. “It has a classic style, but one that looks fresh and beautiful,” says Smyth.
Lear + Mahoney’s expertly delineated spaces include an entrance courtyard, multiple terraces, a sitting garden with a fountain, a pool and spa, a variety of fruit, herb, and vegetable gardens, and a butterfly garden.
