Lake Tuckaway, a lakeside retreat reached only by boat

The home, which can only be seen by boat or by those lucky enough to be invited guests, is truly one of the area's most exclusive hidden treasures. Signature Landscape Contractors was entrusted with the complete landscape design and implementation of this remarkable property, a traditional lake house envisioned by the esteemed Varnava Design Studio.

Design vision

The home's timeless architecture and organic material palette inspired a landscape that feels both luxurious and naturally understated. The vision centered on crafting a lakeside retreat for multigenerational living, where the homeowners, extended family and especially their young grandchildren could gather, explore and create memories.

The outdoor environment needed to offer ample entertainment space while highlighting playful, and at times fantastical, elements that would delight a younger generation, balanced against the home's traditional and serene lakeside setting. Outdoor seating and dining, watersports, boating, hide-and-seek and even the family's annual easter egg hunt were all treated as essential parts of the homeowners' lifestyle. Each zone needed to connect seamlessly, so the whole property stays calm and cohesive even amid the joyful chaos of family activity.

Scope of work

The landscape design began with site elevations and grade planning, followed by an extensive underground stormwater management and containment system. Planting included large character specimen oaks, magnolias, podocarpus hedges, bamboo screening and comprehensive lakeshore management featuring stone rip rap.

The plant palette is a curated selection of woody ornamentals and groundcovers, each chosen for texture, movement and long-term resilience, and selected specifically for their ability to thrive in a lakeside environment while enhancing the property's architectural character.

Hardscape integration brought in oversized planters, oversized lawn steps and synthetic turf to serve the outdoor dining and summer kitchen areas, along with carefully crafted pathways and seating areas leading down to the lake and the boat dock.

Challenges and solutions

The entryway was the most apparent challenge and became one of the property's most memorable features. The approach was an irregular, long and winding drive, narrow enough that it blocked any ability to feature the home.

Large specimen oak trees now create a canopy-lined entry that invites each guest on their approach. Animal sculptures from the client's collection, rendered in low-maintenance materials, are positioned to break the monotony of that approach and invite a sense of discovery, while creeping fig and greenery against the white walls open up what is otherwise a narrow, confined space.

Outcome

The result is an outdoor environment built around the homeowners' philosophy of bringing family and loved ones together. Each activity space comes together cohesively, staying true to the overall theme of the property while enhancing the home's architectural appeal, and creating a luxurious retreat with real functionality for recreation and entertainment.