HomeLandscape architect Tim Lally’s Chicago garden
22. Jun, 2010 
9 Comments
When I saw landscape architect Tim Lally’s lovely little urban oasis last summer, I breathed a sigh of relief that the big dreams I have for my similarly sized back yard aren’t necessarily pie-in-the-sky. Tim, a landscape architect, has transformed a very unremarkable, boring back yard into a gorgeous extension of his home. To create privacy, Tim planted three narrow Flowering Pear trees along the fence separating it from the neighboring building. Chosen because they grow tall, flower in the spring, and hold their leaves long into the fall, the Flowering Pears work with every other element to create a beautiful and serene environment. I’d hoped to steal some ideas for use in my own back yard, but it appears I miscalculated the complexity and creativity necessary to create a space perfectly calibrated to look good all year, so I’m going to save myself the frustration and hire Tim instead. Thanks Tim!
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p.s.
I won’t bore you with the reasons, but with regard to photography, gardens aren’t my specialty, so please check out the much better images of Tim’s back yard garden on his website.
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Blue stone pavers.
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The dramatically different before.
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To distinguish this area from the rest of the yard, Tim used blue stone gravel rather than pavers and planted a short boxwood hedge. The result is a darn fine spot for afternoon tea.
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The Koi fish are five years old.
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The back staircase.
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The enclosed porch offers garden views and can easily be warmed with a space heater during the winter.
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This is lovely! I really love that succulent wreath.
OMG!! This is so lovely. I want to be invited to your garden….I can bring a nice fruit salad, mineral water, some tea, jam w/nicely baked goods. It’s really nice. Let me know when your schedule’s open. Just kidding. Great job!
I’ve been to many lovely evening cocktail parties in Tim’s garden, and it’s every bit as beautiful as the pictures suggest. I’d never seen the “before” before – what a transformation!
In fact, I SO love his yard that I hired Tim to redesign mine. It’s been exciting to move from plan to reality: deck’s finished; patio work starts shortly; martini glasses are chilling. Just can’t wait.
What a transformation. Wow! Tim’s garden is gorgeous.
That’s an amazing change! It’s gorgeous! Leaps and bounds over what was there before. I wonder if there’s enough space for those koi in that large pot to live comfortably/safely, would hate to see some raccoons come and grab them.
awesome that you’re including gardens. always love to see this kind of urban oasis–totally inspiring!
A restful garden, with great flow between spaces. I thought the little “house” in the “Before” picture was Tim’s actual HOUSE! Cor! I’m glad I kept looking and deduced that the little house is the garage / garden shed. Nice neighbourhood overall. At what time in the afternoon does Tim serve tea?
Wow! What a wonderful little garden, a great place to hideaway!