Contemporary Lake Home Landscape - West Bend, WI

For this contemporary lake home we refreshed an aging, underwhelming landscape with new plantings, improved circulation, and thoughtful updates to the existing lakeside path and patio. The redesigned streetside entry and restored hillside plantings now provide year‑round interest, better functionality, and a stronger connection between the home and its natural surroundings.

When previous clients purchased a contemporary lake home in West Bend, they reached out for help revitalizing a landscape that had been neglected and lacked seasonal color. Our goal was to bring structure, vibrancy, and cohesion to both the streetside and lakeside portions of the property.

To soften the impact of the large driveway, we designed a new planting bed featuring ‘Autumn Gold’ ginkgo trees arranged in a clean, linear rhythm. These are interplanted with ‘Moorflame’ ornamental grasses, creating a bold yet refined composition. A new bluestone stepping‑stone path, set in slate chip mulch, improves circulation and provides a more intentional connection between the front and back of the home.

The lakeside presented a beautiful existing framework: limestone steps and a winding path leading down the hillside. We preserved this character while expanding and repairing the flagstone landings and stone patio at the water’s edge. Plantings were carefully layered to suit the changing light conditions along the slope.

About halfway down the hill, shade perennials and shrubs flank the stone path, creating a lush, cool transition zone. As the hillside opens to full sun, the plant palette shifts to sun‑loving perennials, flowering shrubs, and spreading junipers, which not only add color and texture but also help stabilize the slope and reduce erosion.