Name: Jacob
Location: Marblehead, Massachusetts
Type of space: Lawn & Deck
Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: My wife Erin and I bought a 1951 ranch from the original owner/architect. We have spent the last three years updating both the house and the grounds while trying to maintain the mid-century aesthetic. Many of the plantings date from the original house, but we have moved them around and added some new flora as well. Recently we had a birthday party for our three-year-old daughter that spilled off the deck and into the yard/landscaping that goes 360 degrees around our house. Since we live at the end of a dead-end street, we have no worries about traffic...How did you create it? We created our space with the help of a landscaper who has worked in the town of Marblehead for over 50 years. We have done one small section at a time over three years. The space is very low maintenance and I take care of the mowing and a good deal of the upkeep myself. It is an organic lawn.
Recommended store, site, product or resource? My friend started a business called peoplepoweredmachines.com I bought a German battery powered reel-mower and weed-whacker made by Brill. I cut my lawn silently and enjoy doing it a great deal.
.
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I am speechless, its stunning and that little girl, what a cutie!!
What a beautiful yard. Where did you get the white pots?
No pesticides or herbicides? Really? If yes, then I am very impressed. It’s lovely.
What is that interesting plant combination in the giant swath that runs through picture 5? It looks like a fern and either an ornamental grass or an iris (pre- or post-flower). But I'd love to know for real. Can you tell us?
Very beautiful garden.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I love your deck railing!
amazing. love the 3 white pots all lined up. love everything really.
Lovely! This is the look I'm aiming for in our yard. Very inspiring!
Lush and beautiful with interesting trees and plants! The private sitting area with the natural (looks like found wood) wooden bench looks like a nice little spot to think or dream or have a private conversation. Very private and wonderful!
I got a little carried away with 'private'.... :)
Beautiful. I love all of the purple. It's gorgeous! I can't believe that lawn has no herbicides or pesticides. Awesome.
lovely!!!!! just amazing, and beautiful pictures too!
Thanks so much for all the positive feedback. I am wowed, humbled, and encouraged. I'll try to answer all questions in one post and give some credit where credit is due. First and foremost, my landscaper friend Barry Archung is a wizard and an artist of the highest caliber. His design makes it beautiful and low-maintenance. The deck railings were designed by my close friend and architect Walter Jacob (all marine hardware to stand up to tough New England winters). The pots are Crate and Barrel from a few years ago (planted by my beautiful wife). The Winter here tears the paint off quickly so we repainted them (Thanks Dave!) The plant combination in picture 5 is fern and dead-headed daffodils. Lawn is organic. Believe it or not, daughter picture is not staged. Thanks!
beautiful!
I love this backyard haven. When can we see the house?
And the bench? Looks like part of a whale skull. In Marblehead I wouldn't be surprised. Or is it driftwood? Whatever it is, it's beautiful. The ferns and daffs are a great idea. Ferns are filling in as the last of the daff foliage withers away. Neat trick. I also do this with hosta and day lily. Works great.