In the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park, Chicago, The Outside Design Studio creates a naturalistic garden that balances contemporary restraint with softness.
The design, drawing inspiration from the sweeping, rugged beauty of the Faroe Islands, reflects the client’s deep love for the landscape of her childhood home.
Photography above by Scott Shigley.
From the street, the home’s clean geometry and dark cladding are softened by a naturalistic planting palette.
A textured ground plane of interwoven grasses and sedges recalls the rolling, windswept meadows of the Faroe Islands, their movement echoing the rhythm of coastal winds.
Seasonal drifts of Allium punctuate the garden with subtle waves of color, a momentary bloom that mirrors the fleeting beauty of northern summers.
A small grove of birch trees flanks the entryway, their pale trunks and dappled leaves filtering light and providing gentle privacy.
Contrasting elements make the space feel both composed and wild, a study in balance between the structured architecture and the living, breathing landscape that envelops it.
Along the home’s narrow side yard, a linear path of crushed gravel guides visitors between vertical planes of architecture and a finely detailed wooden screen.
The cedar slats create rhythm and shadow, providing privacy while allowing air and light to pass through.
Climbing vines weave along its surface, softening the line between structure and nature.
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This intimate corridor leads to a small, secluded garden tucked behind the home, a hidden refuge designed for reflection and play.
Here, evergreens and low groundcovers embrace the space, while large boulders anchor it with permanence and weight. It’s a place where the family’s children can find inspiration among textures, shadows, and the quiet hum of the garden.
Though inspired by a distant landscape, the planting strategy is deeply regional, emphasizing species that thrive in Chicago’s climate while evoking the essence of northern terrain.
Every element, from the tactile path to the restrained plant palette, reflects The Outside Design Studio’s ability to craft meaningful landscapes where memory, ecology, and modern living coexist.
The Outside Design Studio is an award-winning, full-service landscape architecture and construction management firm based in Chicago.
Guided by a deep respect for nature, culture, and context, the studio approaches each project by asking what the client wants from a space and what the space itself can offer.
Through a transparent and collaborative process, they craft living, evolving landscapes that balance artistry with precision—creating environments that feel both timeless and deeply connected to their surroundings.
Landscape Architecture by: The Outside Design Studio
Photography by: Scott Shigley
