Point of View
Surrounded by natural beauty, art takes on an ethereal glow.
Native grasses dance in the entryway of a seaside home by David Scott in Sag Harbor, New York. The designer worked with landscape architect Ed Hollander of Hollander Design, and architect Blaze Makoid to create beautiful outdoor spaces. They used stone and river rock to create an interesting floor pattern.
A wooden bench is nestled in the grasses, opposite an oversize dark-wood console. Scott shares, “The large stone wheel sculpture is a vintage find that I mounted on a steel stand. I paired it with large Italian blown-glass hurricanes. I love using candlelight at an outdoor entry as it sets the relaxed vibe that continues inside.”
Photography by Joshua McHugh
Mark Weaver used drought-tolerant native landscaping to create this highly-designed, Mediterranean-style oasis in his backyard in Montecito, DCalifornia. A creek runs alongside the home, providing the musical sound of running water, and the view from the infinity pool is framed by two large amphora-style urns. This project is Weaver’s dream garden, and within it, he included everything that made him feel comfortable and nurtured by the beauty of nature.
Photography by Tim Street-Porter
David Harber has spent the past 30 years creating art that enhances outdoor spaces, by working in concert with nature. He is a modern practitioner of a long tradition of creating ornaments for the garden in Britain and Europe that included objects like obelisks, sundials, and globes. Harber explains, “There is beauty and simple elegance in so many classical forms, and there is a touch of magic in those ornaments and objects, most notably for me, in the sphere. I was useless at school but particularly in mathematics, and yet the beauty in spherical geometry is essential and evident in the making of sundials and spherical objects. I’ve greatly enjoyed re-interpreting these forms in both contemporary and traditional materials for generations to come.” Harber’s work is inspired by the nature around it. “My goal has always been to create timeless pieces that transform spaces; inspiring, delighting, and even confounding the eye.”
Gardens are designed to celebrate nature’s handiwork through the seasons, and adding art enhances that view. Designer David Scott says, “Art is a very important garden element as it can be placed prominently as a focal point or it can be hidden and discovered as you explore the landscape. Nature combined with the hand of humankind creates a juxtaposition that invites contemplation.”
Left: The structure becomes the art in a West Palm Beach garden by Sanchez & Maddux, part of a renovation of an historic Art Deco home by interior designers Pembrooke & Ives. A scrolled bannister leads through a snail-shaped portal into a lush side garden.
Photography by Stephen Kent Johnson
Right: B&B Italia’s Crinoline armchair by Patricia Urquiola is a feminine form, evoking 19th-century fashion for ladies. The sculptural chair comes in polyethylene fiber or abaca in two colors. The series includes small armchairs, chairs, and stools.
David Harber’s Teardrop Mantle is inspired by a single droplet of water. It is formed from hundreds of marine grade, mirror- polished stainless steel petals, welded together to form the shape. Harber’s site-specific works are customized to fit his client’s unique requirements. This version of the Teardrop Mantle has a deep blue inside inspired by the life- giving properties of water. A concealed uplight brings the sculpture to life after dark, creating a spectacular effect; by day, the mirrored petals provide reflections of the sky and surrounding grounds.
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece”
The Salamander Lounge and Ottoman from Holly Hunt provide the perfect place to relax and enjoy the changing seasons.
An experiential Southampton garden by Hollander Design, for a home designed by James Merrell Architects and interior designer Kelly Behun, offers a magical invitation to imagination and play, with artworks positioned so that they can be glimpsed through abundant natural plantings and allées of Linden trees.
Photography by Charles Mayer
“In the creation of a garden, the architect invites the partnership of the kingdom of nature.”
Left: Poliform’s Strata tables, by Emmanuel Gallina, are sculptural in form, mimicking the texture of stones.
Right: The Piel Sconce by Kelly Wearstler comes in a variety of pleasing finishes, including Pewter, shown here. The metal sheeting cradles a warm LED light source and adds artistic appeal to outdoor decor. Available in both right- and left-facing orientations. Through Ferguson.