CLIENT BRIEF
Shaw Landscape Group was engaged to design a highly structured yet lush backyard retreat that evokes the timeless charm of a traditional Italian garden. The brief was to transform a relatively compact residential space into a secluded, ultra-manicured environment—one that feels dense, quiet, and immersive.
The garden needed to support modern living, offering areas to relax, entertain, and retreat, while maintaining a strong sense of symmetry, nostalgia, and evoke a highly characteristic Italian garden…
OUR APPROACH
Inspired by traditional Italian gardens, this design was guided by symmetry, formal structure, and a strong sense of enclosure — reconnecting our clients with their Italian heritage. Carefully composed pathways of natural stone crazy paving define the garden’s geometry, breaking the space into a series of intimate outdoor rooms framed by parterre gardens and formal planting.
A pavilion-style pergola anchors the design, drawing focus to a central water feature and flanked by grand pots and plinths that echo classic European garden elements. Structured Buxus hedging, pencil pines along the boundary, vegetable planters, feature citrus and fruit trees reinforce the timeless Italian character while providing privacy and seasonal bounty.
Layered greenery, climbing vines, and green walls will over time further soften the hardscape, allowing the garden to mature into a dense, secluded retreat. Modern amenities, including a spa, private seating and firepit areas, are seamlessly integrated, ensuring the space remains both nostalgic and tailored to contemporary outdoor living.
These elements come together to form a refined residential garden that celebrates Italian heritage through characteristic elements, symmetry, and atmosphere.