New Gardens for an Old Home

Located in the historic neighborhood of Windsor Farms in Richmond, Virginia, this house was designed in the mid 1900s by a skilled mechanical engineer. Many of the architectural details and layout of the home reflected the design trends of the era, including sketches of lighting fixtures and an experimental air cooling system.

When the current owners bought the property in 2003, the house had stood long unoccupied. Working with an architect, the owners set about renovating the interior of the house and planning a detached garage. Four Winds was hired in 2004 to create gardens to match the intricately detailed home.

Designed in a formal style prevalent in the 1950s, the layout features distinct garden rooms defined by evergreen hedges. The gardens are linked by brick strolling paths that wind throughout the design. Each area has a different prominent feature, such as a fountain flanked by two arbors, a raised herb garden, and a slate patio surrounded by fragrant plants.

The duties of FWLD included detailed design layout, collaboration with the project architect, production and presentation of zoning variance drawings, and oversight of construction.