Cleveland Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Medium • In the Ground
Most outdoor spaces come with a history. When people buy or rent a home, they often inherit garden layouts and hardscaping decisions shaped by past needs, budgets, and site constraints. As designers, one of our most valuable roles is giving clients permission to question those inherited choices—and to imagine something better. This project began with an existing patio defined by an angled brick retaining wall, originally built to support a large, mature oak tree. While practical in its time, the layout no longer served the way our client wanted to live outdoors. They envisioned a space that could comfortably support gathering, dining, grilling, and play—without losing the character already embedded in the site. Our solution was to elevate the south patio, creating one continuous plane that immediately improved flow and usability. Through carefully considered paving patterns, we introduced the feeling of two distinct outdoor “rooms” while reusing all of the existing bricks—a sustainable and budget-conscious move that honored the site’s history. New planting beds soften the hardscape edges and carve out a cozy grill nook, seamlessly integrating function with form. Every design decision was guided by the client’s lifestyle, budget, and long-term enjoyment—proof that with a little permission to think outside the outdoor box, inherited spaces can be transformed into places that truly work.
Design Tools: AutoCAD, Adobe Suite
Installation: Hughes Landscaping
Photographer: Peter Hoblitzell
Inspired by This Project?
Whether you're dreaming of an edible landscape, a rain garden, or a front yard that supports both people and pollinators, we'll help create an outdoor space that's as beautiful as it is purposeful.