The sound of freeway traffic, a view of the neighbors’ yards, and a patchy, sloped lawn were the defining features of Scot Eckley and Devin Fitzpatrick’s small Seattle backyard when they moved into the home 19 years ago. In other words, “It was a dream come true,” Fitzpatrick says with a laugh. The pair—he’s a garden designer; she’s an interior designer—were up for an aesthetic challenge they could tackle together. Here are their tips for layering on the greenery and using every inch of space to create an oasis that feels a world apart from the city.
- Scot Eckley is a landscape designer who founded his eponymous Seattle-based landscape design and construction firm in 1999.
- Devin Fitzpatrick is the founder of Seattle interior design firm Devin Fitzpatrick Interiors, with decades of experience in both residential and commercial design.
1. Create Privacy with Hedges
A primary design goal of any backyard that’s smack in the middle of a busy neighborhood should be to create a sense of enclosure. To this end, Eckley planted hedges of Leyland cypress, which, at up to 16 feet tall, help provide privacy and muffle noise.
2. Expand a Small Yard with Levels
A smart division of space can create the illusion of a more expansive garden in a city. Eckley achieved this in his 1,600-square-foot yard by creating various levels and zones—including several raised beds, a sunken lounge with a fireplace, and a lawn with a daybed. “We wanted different routes and destinations around the yard, each with its own focal point and reward,” Eckley says.
In the sunken lounge area, Eckley installed a fireplace in the retaining wall. To soften the concrete and steel surround, he framed it with English ivy along the sides and sweet box below.
3. Layer Shades of Green
The couple’s yard adheres to a mostly green palette, with a few white flowers occasionally blooming. “It’s a calm, neutral palette,” Eckley says. The key to making green-on-green palette looking lush, not one note, is keep it to mix plants and shrubs with different forms and textures.
4. Carve out Relaxation Space
The arbor Eckley constructed is sturdy enough to support a swinging daybed. “It’s a nice spot for our kids to lie down and read,” says Fitzpatrick, “or climb and hang upside down.” The couple planted white climbing roses that will eventually train up the structure. A traditional garden stool, oversize pots, and a stone orb complete the area…