The Lakeside Retreat

HIGHLAND PARK | DALLAS, TX

Lakeside Retreat

HIGHLAND PARK | DALLAS, TX

2023 Texas ASLA Merit Award
2023 Red Luxe Award 

Transforming the landscape of a 100-year-old Federal Style Home in Highland Park overlooking a beautiful lake created a luxurious yet tranquil retreat. We redesigned and renovated the property for the new homeowners, a New York family, to provide spaces for gathering and dining, lounging and relaxing. A tight deadline during the pandemic included a refresh with new hardscapes to integrate with the existing oval stone terrace, new plantings, and outdoor furnishings and fabrics.

  • A highly edited plant palette providing layered textures of green set against the backdrop of mature trees. In the front yard, a woodland garden of Ferns, Soft Carress Mahonia and Carex form a textural tapestry in front of a backdrop of Eleagnus under the mature Live Oaks. 

    Deciduous plants such as Japanese Maples, Dogwoods and hydrangeas offering seasonal interest among the borrowed vistas with a public park nearby.  Integrating old with new (such as rare, vintage Willy Guhl planters,) makes the garden feel like it’s evolved with the home. 

    The pool renovation, including a new spa, complements the garden wall and better matches the classic architectural features of the site. The curved sofa and furnishings selected to deliver functional spaces for dining and lounging throughout the property. 

    Bespoke concrete features include a bar that traces the pre-existing oval terrace, and a firepit with an asymmetrical opening. A stone firepit with bluestone hardscape and pendant lighting above was designed for the family to enjoy the lakefront views from the front yard. 

PHOTOGRAPHER: STEPHEN KARLISCH

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The Garden Arrival

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The Magari Garden