Outdoor Garden Room

For our May meeting, the North Central Louisiana Master Gardeners were graciously invited to visit the beautiful garden room of Chris and Lisa Barr. Surrounded by its tranquil forest setting, the garden room serves as a multipurpose destination for the Barr family and friends.

When designer, John Taylor, met with the Barrs to discuss the objectives of the project, Chris and Lisa told John they wanted room for entertaining, an area for cooking, an outdoor fireplace, and easy access to a woodworking shop to be added in the future. It was also important to them that the project be done with a "southern look" in mind. Guided by those criteria, John set about creating "an oasis that felt like it was miles away from the rest of the world".

Project designer, John Taylor

The existing yard was covered with Asian jasmine which, many of you gardeners will understand, took a tractor to remove!

The existing slope was enhanced with a low, dry-stacked stone retaining wall. Tall, graceful Natchez crepe myrtles were added at the top of the slope to complete the canopy surrounding the sitting area.

Handsome steps of stained concrete lead down to the patio.

 Ken Smith with Ken's Creative Concrete installed the patio made of scored and stained concrete. The wide black border created a striking effect.

The entire area was surrounded by a variety of southern plants - azaleas, sweet olive, hydrangea. Aspidistra, aka the cast iron plant, cleverly backed the cast iron sugar kettle. Ferns seamlessly integrated the new addition into the surrounding wooded area.

Chris had a fire burning in the fireplace when we arrived. It was a welcome touch on an unusually cool May morning.

As a garden designer, John said, "I do the bones of the garden, but the owners need to add their thumbprint." The Barr's thumbprint is evident in the fireplace mantle made from an old cypress tree from Chris' parents' property, amaryllis from Lisa's grandmother's yard, and (Chris was sweet to point out) lots of plants from the Master Gardener's recent Spring Plant Sale. 

It was hard to leave that peaceful sanctuary, but what a treat it was to visit! 

Special thanks to the Barrs and John Taylor for sharing their project with us!!

Love ya'll, 

Shelli

Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.

 ~Standing Bear