Matthew Murrey Design

This is where the garden becomes part of daily life.

A covered patio creates a sheltered outdoor room with a fireplace, TV, and built-in seating. The louvered wall behind the fireplace helps filter the view from the brick side wall and makes the space feel more intimate. Beyond the seating area, the clean lawn keeps the backyard open for play, making it comfortable for both quiet evenings and family afternoons.

A side street can still carry the character of the garden.

In this project, Boston ivy brings life to the brick wall, and the side gate becomes its own small moment, framed by white hydrangeas. The library box was inspired by the residence's design.

The arrival to this home was meant to feel composed and alive from the very first step.

A herringbone path draws you straight to the front door, giving the approach a clear sense of direction. The symmetry of the house is echoed in the garden, softened by trees that introduce a gentler rhythm. Along the driveway, a row of hollies creates visual separation, and white flowering beds bring softness to front garden lawn.

A well-designed garden can evolve without losing its identity.

At this Highland Park French traditional residence, the evergreen borders, planters, and formal layout create a framework that remains consistent even as the planting changes.

Whether filled with bright color or a softer white palette, the entry garden continues to feel connected to the architecture and true to the character of the home.

For this residence, the garden was designed to complement the architecture and create a more intentional arrival toward the home.

The formal hedging helps guide the way forward, while gravel paths, flowering borders, and fountain views introduce seasonal color and a more relaxed garden character. Around the property, the front garden gives way to narrower side paths, where planting and water features create smaller discoveries along the way.

This poolside garden room creates a beautiful transition from the architecture into the landscape.

The green-drenched interior speaks to the planting just beyond the arched openings, allowing the room and garden to feel visually connected. From inside, the layered hedges frame the view outward while creating a sense of privacy, revealing just enough to invite you further.

Beyond the hedges, the pool is partially hidden, turning the walk outside into a sequence of layered spaces that slowly unfold as you move through them.

The role of seating in the landscape

A bench at the end of a garden path, chairs beside a terrace, or a group of seats around a fire all change the way a space is experienced. They invite people to pause, gather, look outward, or enjoy a quieter corner of the property.

When seating is considered as part of the initial design process, it helps shape circulation, views, scale, and the way each outdoor space is used.