McLean Family Retreat

A modern, multi-functional outdoor haven built for connection, play, and all-season enjoyment.

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Rossen Landscape led a full-scale design and build, crafting a clean, modern layout that connects seamlessly with the home’s transitional architecture. The centerpiece is a crisp rectangular pool, surrounded by generous stone decking and softened with layered planting for privacy and visual appeal. Just off the main living space, a covered patio offers a refined zone for outdoor dining, lounging, and unwinding.

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Every element, from the material selections to circulation flow, was designed to elevate daily living and create a space that feels beautiful, effortless, and entirely personal.

The Active Garden

A multifunctional space for play, flow, and year-round enjoyment

A broad open lawn connects each destination within the garden, offering visual breathing room and a natural flow between zones. Carefully considered transitions guide the eye and the feet, creating a cohesive outdoor experience:

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• Turf steps, set into the gentle slope, lead from the pool deck down to the open lawn and sport court, establishing a gracious, walkable flow. ‍
• Layered planting beds featuring native and ornamental species, including hydrangea, viburnum, boxwood, and seasonal accents, add year-round beauty and texture.
• A full-size sport court, tucked discreetly at the edge of the property, was designed for basketball, pickleball, and all-season recreation. While not pictured, it adds an energetic contrast to the garden’s more tranquil areas. ‍
• Privacy screening, using a combination of evergreen hedging and strategic tree placement, ensures the space feels intimate without feeling enclosed.

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This zone balances structure and softness, offering versatility and harmony across the property.

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Evening Elegance

An immersive lighting design that transforms the garden after dark

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As the sun sets, the entire garden takes on a new dimension, thanks to a sophisticated lighting design that blends form and function:

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• Integrated stair lighting on every riser of the patio and turf steps enhances both safety and nighttime ambiance.
• ‍Path lights and uplights, discreetly installed along major circulation routes and planting beds, highlight the architecture and seasonal plant textures. ‍
• Subtle fixture placement ensures that the lighting feels natural and atmospheric rather than overt, casting a warm, welcoming glow across the space. ‍
• Zoned controls, managed from within the home, allow the homeowners to customize the lighting experience depending on the occasion or mood.

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This layer of design elevates the entire project, making the garden as usable and beautiful at night as it is by day.