Mid-Century Landscape - Bayside, WI

2022 Silver Award Residential Design

Association of Professional Landscape Designers

This award-winning, Bayside, Wisconsin project brings authentic mid‑century character to a ranch home whose interior had already been thoughtfully furnished in period style. By reworking the plantings, opening up the backyard, and unifying materials across the property, we created a cohesive landscape that finally matches the home’s mid‑century charm.

When our clients reached out, they had already transformed the interior of their mid‑century ranch with period‑appropriate furnishings. They had even begun experimenting with a mid‑century look outdoors, but ultimately realized they needed a professional who specializes in this design era. With mid‑century landscapes being one of our firm’s strengths, it was a natural fit to collaborate on a full‑property renovation.

The existing half‑circle concrete patio was structurally sound and had great potential, but it was overwhelmed by towering arborvitae dating back to the home’s original construction. Their size effectively walled off the patio from the rest of the yard, making the space feel disconnected.

To reestablish flow and reinforce the home’s geometry, we designed all‑new backyard plantings organized around a circular theme that echoes the patio’s shape. We continued the use of granite stone mulch—already introduced by the client in the front yard—to create material continuity across the property. In the front yard, our role was more subtle: refining and editing the plantings the clients had begun, ensuring the entire landscape felt cohesive and true to the mid‑century aesthetic.

This project remains one of our favorite medium‑sized transformations, blending client vision with thoughtful design to create a unified, era‑appropriate landscape.