This client approached us to design the landscape for their new waterfront home in North Palm Beach. They had completely gutted a home and were remodeling both the interior and entire exterior. The inspiration for their planting style was Bali Tropical, a lush and vibrant aesthetic that typically thrives in more protected and shaded areas. However, the challenge was that this project site was in full sun, with the only protected areas being on the sides of the home. Undeterred, we pressed on to find a planting solution that met their vision.

For the driveway, the client desired crushed gravel that complemented the gray and white tones of the house, specifically avoiding brown pea rock. We brought an old-world feel with large double border concrete cobblestones, adding character and elegance to the entryway. 

In the landscape, we used lush tropical plantings that could handle the full westerly-facing sun in the front yard, while more shade-loving tropicals were strategically placed on the sides where we could offer more protection. On the side, we designed a hanging orchid garden on the walls between the windows, flanked with 2’ x 2’ stepping stones and matching gravel from the driveway. This added a touch of tropical paradise and seamlessly integrated the design elements.

At the rear of the property, we transitioned to a minimalist tropical design to preserve the stunning views of the water. To achieve this, we craned three large 30-foot Maypan Coconut palms over the house and installed them so that the views from the second-story balcony would remain unobstructed. We used high-end artificial turf to provide a clean and minimalist appearance, complemented by medium Mexican beach pebbles around the base of the palms.

This project offered a unique landscape experience, allowing for a seamless transition from a Bali-inspired lush tropical design in the front and side yards to a contemporary and minimalist waterfront design in the rear. The result is a beautifully integrated landscape that not only meets the client’s aesthetic desires but also enhances the functionality and beauty of their waterfront home.