Modern Sanctuary

This corner lot in Boulder, nestled against the open spaces of Flagstaff Mountain, was always meant to blur the boundary between home and nature. The house was pure mid-century modern—clean lines, honest materials. But years of neglect had left the garden forgotten.

When a single professional woman and her dog claimed this space, they were looking for sanctuary. On a corner lot open to two streets, privacy was essential. I preserved a stunning period-piece gate and built a tall fence, then softened it with native trees and shrubs—serviceberry, chokecherry, mountain mahogany. The line between property and wilderness became a conversation.

The boulders I placed could have tumbled from the Flatirons themselves. For the dog, there's a generous lawn for tennis balls. The rest is native grasses that need only annual mowing. Near the house, we restored a curvilinear stucco sculpture from the 1950s. On the deck facing the foothills, we built an integrated bench for morning coffee and mountain views.

The design speaks in curves—wide concrete edging lines the turf in sweeping gestures echoing 1950s optimism. Mass plantings create rhythm: pussytoes carpeting the ground, platinum sage in silvery sweeps. This is sanctuary for a busy professional—a garden that doesn't demand attention but rewards every moment you give it.