Portfolio

This exterior redo used turf to create a space for the kids and pets, and turned a ditch into a rain garden!

This renovation features a cedar wood screen, hot tub and grilling area around the pool for friends and family to enjoy!

This DC Garden has plenty of room to entertain while grilling your favorite foods under soft lightening in the evenings.

This redo opened up the property and cut into the existing slope to set in a pergola covered dining terrace, creating multiple relaxing areas.

 Welcome to the garden! The out door [...]

The entrance to your home should be the most important view. One should feel welcome and guided to the front door in the most interesting and inviting manner. See the alternative front walkways and inspirational entrances.

This terraced garden sustains native vegetation in a transformed woodland swale which supplements the natural stream bed. The "terraced garden rooms" are stabilized with a crafted plant palette coating the slopes with color. A traditional Italian fountain provides a cooling effect of the spacious courtyard. The limestone walls and steps are wide and inviting, presenting opportune seating and eloquent transition that leave the sensation of being on vacation in Tuscany.

The new owners envisioned transforming this historic farm into a family retreat with ample open space and privacy to accommodate their active and child-oriented lifestyle. This was achieved by extending the living space to the open air— creating outdoor rooms that where private and intimate for daily use, but could be also easily convert to beautiful environment for entertaining.

This spreading home on the inner skirts of the country provide an inviting entertaining space for family and friends. With the renovation of the pool, enlarged and detailed terraces, we included a custom made ping pong table, fire place seating area and outdoor living space which was ultimately combined with the existing pergola. The screen planting adds privacy and accent plantings are crafty and provide character.

This extension of the porch opened up the rear garden for an excellent opportunity to entertain in an outdoor “room”. The original hand crafted copper fountain bowl sets atop a custom stone pond providing just enough splash during any delightful evening.

The entrance to your home should be the most important view. One should feel welcome and guided to the front door in the most interesting and inviting manner. See the alternative front walkways and inspirational entrances.

The primary purpose of this project was to solve access issues caused by the stream that passes just in front of the residence’s main entrance. We replaced the existing wood bridge with a more beautiful stone bridge and simultaneously saved two historic tulip trees. We also converted a swampy area fed by two natural springs in front of the house into a lushly-planted and beautiful pond. A vehicular turnaround and new carport allow for ample access by car, yet maintain the 19th century farm house appeal. Our philosophy was to follow all necessary guidelines with a unique twist, designing the environmental elements with a creative approach. The design intent was to create a farm house feel for everyday living.

I listen to people say, “I don’t need access to the garden, because nobody ever goes out there.”  My response is, “Create a space, make it inviting, build it…. and they will come!”

The old sledding hill in the back yard was great for the kids when they were young, but, this treacherous slope needed to be transformed into a garden with an upper lawn and play area with a beautiful set of stone steps to transition to the lower entertaining garden.  The staircase is flanked with crepe myrtle trees and has a mid level landing with a small focal point of the special antique bird bath. 

For this large government building, an interior urban plaza was created to facilitate outdoor gathering and interest for workers while taking a break or eating lunch. Artificial turf provides year round greenery, while a large fountain creates pleasant background noise. The great swirl of the colored concrete provides movement for rare occasions when special vehicular traffic is required and an inviting natural flow to the ground place.

Founded in 1894, the Washington Golf and Tennis Club is one of the oldest and most historic clubs in the country. In 2005 FLA was brought in to design a hardscape plan for the tennis facility, while keeping in mind the historic nature of the club. Our design reflects a sophisticated approach and attention to detail.

This small residential home tucked on a ridge in Arlington is special because the family grew up in the neighborhood and fell in love with the people around them. Instead of moving, it was important to stay in the neighborhood which meant adding additions and expanding their home as their family grew. When the time was right, it was ready to do the garden. This involved extending the kitchen and creating another outdoor set of rooms.

In the heart of rural Alexandria is a [...]

When you are tasked to provide a hot tub that looks like a pond with a waterfall that fits into its natural surroundings this is what comes to mind.  The owner also wanted an outdoor kitchen for many entertaining options.  We set the dining area in the gazebo and created and layered shrub border along the edges of the property.