“The backyard was pretty much a blank slate,” says Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen. “Lawn wrapped around three sides of the house, which was surviving without irrigation, and there was an existing mixed-forest area blanketed in pine straw further back.” In addition to these lackluster details, there was a tired concrete pad and a dearth of hardscapes, as well as no shade from the tropical sun. The couple imagined a backyard that would beckon them outside, and they aimed to renovate the space from a distance. Yardzen, which creates design plans digitally, was the natural next step in their plan. “With two young kids, they wanted to create a relaxing and serene oasis for both their family and guests,” Lenhart continues. “As far as style goes, they wanted the space to feel modern and comfortable, with a coastal Mediterranean vibe. They requested native, tropical, and low-maintenance plants, and they craved distinct areas that allowed them to eat, drink, and enjoy the outdoors all day.” Lenhart and his team decided to keep the lawn in the yard’s northwest corner for the kids, and then designed an area immediately behind the house for hanging out. They chose pre-cast concrete pavers and laid them in a grid, and outfitted a shaded, scene-stealing dining area beneath a pergola where Bahama coral gravel satisfyingly crunches underfoot. Across the lawn, lounge chairs set the scene for adults to catch some rays (or a snooze) as kids play. “Planting beds line the rear walls of the house, and feature a blend of palms, strappy grasses, and leafy shrubs,” Lenhart says. “On the whole, the planting palette expresses a lush but restrained character, heavy on texture and restrained with floral color. A few pops of lavender and purple add a kick of color here and there, but on the whole, the vibe is abundantly green.” The couple started the design process at the beginning of the year and completed the project in April—just in time for summer. Lenhart also incorporated their wish to one day have a pool by making it so the pavers are easy to remove when the time comes. Now they can simply enjoy being together in their Florida home, where a few clever upgrades gave them the vacation setting they had in mind. “Rather than dump a ton of new materials at the yard, the design used few materials in a very deliberate way, focusing on defining distinct zones while maintaining a very strong sense of openness,” Lenhart says. “This kept costs under control, and kept the atmosphere calm and uncluttered.”
