The Mysterious Forest embodied the idea of a mature garden on a area of more than 1.2 hectares in the Leningrad region. Inspired by the client’s request to create a space with trees that would look mature, as if they had been growing here for decades, we proposed combining a forest atmosphere with elements of Karelian and Scandinavian style, complementing all modern trend solutions. This unique approach made it possible to combine the naturalness of the forest with relevant design ideas, creating a harmonious landscape.
To realize the customer’s idea, we divided the site into three key zones. The first is a spacious meadow, which serves both for sports activities and for helicopter landing.
The house territory was decorated in a Karelian forest theme, creating a sense of comfort and harmony with nature.
The third zone is the territory behind the house, smoothly
merging into the surrounding forest, which allowed the garden to organically connect with the natural landscape around and create the feeling that the boundaries of the site seem to dissolve into nature.
The raised landscaping allowed to recreate the effect of fullness and “let in” nature on the site. We oriented a pond of non-standard shape to the axis of the entrance to the house, integrating boxes of shorn dogwood into it, which enhanced the feeling of merging with nature.
The main road leading through the site is made of clinker paving stones, with pebbles on the sides. On both sides of it, we planted cereals, mountain pines and groundcover plants in a restrained monochrome style, which is diluted with birch bark. The role of the accent crown is performed by a huge mountain pine, imported from Germany specifically for this object.
Approximately every 30 m, the road makes a bend, which is effectively played out by a beautiful plant, so that each time the landscape looks dynamic and in a new way. All the plantings were carried out in curtains, we planted a large number of cereals, vines, rhododendrons and other perennials. Plants have different textures, bringing a unique flavor to the landscape.
The plot is divided into functional areas, including a sunbathing area, a lounge area equipped with comfortable furniture, a modern-style gazebo with glazing, a terrace facing a pond, a hearth area, an orchard, and a greenhouse. Thanks to proper landscaping, the zones smoothly merge into each other without creating an effect of space congestion.
Different lighting scenarios, including high bollards and an integrated LED strip that gives soft diffused light to the paving, create a cozy atmosphere in the garden in the evening.