Wellesley Outdoor Living Landscape

Uniquely located on a compact corner lot overlooking the Charles River, our clients requested a private, outdoor space for cooking, dining & entertaining that would still keep river views open from the elevated house. Our solution is this crisp, outdoor kitchen and entertaining area composed with the warmly contrasting materials of wood & concrete.

A road & public footpath lie not 15’ from the dining table and yet - thanks to the kitchen screen and a layer of native planting - the patio feels private & serene. The kitchen incorporates a Big Green Egg grill & pleasing wood storage while providing plenty of counter space for food prep & presentation, and even benches for guests to perch upon. On the far side of the house we took advantage of the southern exposure and designed a vegetable garden with raised beds for herbs & vegetables, trellises to espalier fruit trees and a potting bench.

IDDLA worked with Wellesley’s Wetland Protection Committee to ensure that our improvements supported the health of the river buffer by using lush, native plantings & permeable surfaces.

Photos by Sabine Nordberg