Bastrop Lost-Pines Courtyard Design

Nestled into the edge of the Lost-Pines forest, this Bastrop new construction landscape was designed to feel as considered as the home it surrounds. The entry courtyard is framed by two wings of the limestone home and anchored by a long linear walkway of cream concrete pavers set in black decomposed granite, creating a clean architectural approach to the front door. Corten steel raised planters of varying sizes are distributed throughout the courtyard, planted with variegated agave, cascading asparagus fern, and ornamental grasses, with silver ponyfoot groundcover spreading low between the gravel. The standout feature of the courtyard is a custom Corten steel water feature built into the corner of the home, with three bronze spout nozzles casting water into a river rock catch basin below, framed by a reclaimed wood bench that wraps the base. Out back, a weathered wood deck meets a series of chunky limestone retaining walls that hold the pine forest hillside in place, connected by timber steps with recessed lighting built into every riser. Mexican feather grass planted at the base of the walls and a Japanese maple on the upper terrace bring softness to an otherwise architectural landscape. The pine needle floor of the forest begins exactly where the design ends, and the transition feels entirely intentional.