After putting on an impressive addition to the house, the garden was trashed (typical).  Not only that, but the train embankment for the Chicago Northwest Line was noisy and right there in the back yard.

NLH Architects solved a lot of problems for this couple with this clean multifunctional design.  A seat wall whose shape echoes the lines of the house creates a lot of space for entertaining.  But even more interestingly, (I think) is the planting that completely hides the railroad tracks.  (ahhhh….)

It’s not an evergreen screen, but it does the job just as well (especially in the summer).  They choose to plant a dense screen of rapid growing birch and viburnum.  It’s a cheaper option for sure.

The other nice idea to steal from this garden….the paving.  These unilock pavers are kind of  boring and heartless all by themselves, but with the addition of the lannon stone insets they suddenly have detail and character that they don’t on their own.