Porter Residence - Coos Bay, Oregon

Restoration of this quaint, turn of the century house near the Southern Oregon coast inspired the renovation and enhancement of the existing landscape. As entertainers and grandparents, the Porters desired to create spaces for their family and guests to use and enjoy. The style of the interior of the house, itself whimsical and meticulous, is reflected in the landscape. The lawn shaped as a snowman, is defined by artfully designed planting beds. A smaller lawn area, the "head" of the snowman, surrounds a large existing tree and provides an area for reading or simply relaxing. The larger portion of the lawn, the "body", provides space for grandchildren to play. The entire design is a series of outdoor rooms, distinguished by unique plant materials and other elements such as a trellis and a bubbling fountain. Careful selection of plants and paving materials creates a warm, inviting and fun-loving landscape for the Porters and their guests.