Among the historic neighborhoods of Denver, Colorado, is an estate that blends the old and the new. Over five years ago, the owners bought the property and demolished the original house to create their dream home. To achieve their desired look, they brought in Designs By Sundown, based in Littleton, Colorado, to design and build a landscape that would match the architecture of the new house. Their efforts led to them earning a 2024 Gold Award of Excellence.
Before the old house was demolished, the team made a plan for the new home. However, their design couldn’t be installed until the house was finished (a waiting period of three years).
In some ways, the new house resembles the original building. The owners wanted to keep the formal design but reverse the layout of the property. For example, the backyard used to be on the north side of the lot, but now it’s on the south side. The old house also contained a screen of mature trees in the backyard. At the owner’s request, Designs By Sundown moved these twelve trees from the old backyard to the home’s new backyard on the south side. Once the trees were back in place, the plant health care team began a care program to keep them healthy during the construction.
The home’s grade posed another challenge. The original home drained toward the north, while the new design drains toward a rain garden. To make this happen, a three-foot retaining wall was installed on the south side to redirect the water across the yard. This wall is framed with a custom balustrade fence to give the area a level appearance. For the design team, this wall required over 20 tear sheets to ensure precise measurements. Additionally, the materials for this limestone fence were sourced from Italy.
Only one grade change was needed across the property (five steps to connect the upper and lower lawn). Poor drainage was a problem in many areas, so the team added over 70,000 square feet of compost to the site.
Another goal was to use elements from the old home and work them into the new landscape. This meant using a formal plant palette to highlight the home’s grand style and complement the neutral colors of the house. Boxwood was used for borders and hedges across the property, with less formal plants used as a backdrop to add a natural look. Hydrangeas were also popular, along with topiary plants and other specimens. In some areas, drifts of perennials add color and texture to the dark green palette. Ultimately, the owners wanted plants that would be meticulous and not obstruct views from inside the home.
The owners didn’t want to overwhelm the home with hardscapes, but they did want room for relaxing and entertainment. An outdoor living room provides a covered space for large groups, along with a kitchen and mosaic pizza oven. As guests exit the living area toward the backyard, they come to a grand fountain and a pool. Behind the pool is a fire pit that adds to the relaxing ambience.
Next to the pool are two chaise lounges that offer a stunning view of the home. These features are placed in a spot that provides a framed view from inside the back door, allowing the indoor and outdoor areas to blend. Grasses and other plantings are used around the perimeter of the property to promote a sense of peace and privacy.
One of the biggest challenges was navigating the rules of the HOA. The crew could only be on-site a certain number of days each week. Plus, the number of vehicles and equipment was also limited. A final factor in the project was the weather, as record rainfall affected the area in spring and summer. Despite the delays, the team used close communication to navigate the problems and achieve a beautiful result.
Interested in participating in the Awards of Excellence? Be sure to enter your projects when entries open in early 2026.
