Lakeside Living in New Buffalo, MI

case study

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Project Information

  • Location: New Buffalo, Michigan

  • Client: Private Residence

  • Scope: Full-scale landscape design + build, including hardscape, plantings, drainage, and privacy enhancements.

Two people planting grass and landscaping near a beach, with stairs leading to the sand and ocean, surrounded by bushes and white walls.

Where Clean Lines Meet Lakeside Living

This lakeside home in New Buffalo needed more than just aesthetic updates. The client wanted to create a refined, functional landscape that would reflect the home's architectural elegance while solving key issues: erosion on the lake-facing slope, poor water drainage, and a lack of visual cohesion throughout the property.

There was also the challenge of navigating tight side yard access, outdated concrete features, and the need for privacy in multiple zones without compromising the lake view.

New Buffalo hardscape and softscape integration in a luxury backyard

What Made the Difference: Creating Form. Function. Flow.

Our team approached the project with a holistic design mindset, layering form and function across every zone of the property:

  • Hardscaping: We installed a grid of natural stone pavers to guide movement through the landscape while complementing the Mediterranean-modern architecture of the home.

  • Drainage & Grading: Regraded key areas to improve water flow and prevent runoff toward the house and hillside. Integrated proper base layers under all stonework for long-term durability.

  • Softscaping: Installed elegant, low-maintenance plantings with texture and seasonal interest. Used structured elements like boxwood hedges for privacy and clean lines.

Landscape plantings for privacy and beauty in New Buffalo, MI backyard

  • Lakeside Lawn & Steps: Created a visual corridor to the lake with a symmetrical path and central lawn space. Stepping stones guide the descent while integrating into the natural slope.

  • Courtyard Refresh: Replaced outdated material with cohesive textures and added lush, layered planting beds to soften the architecture.

  • Fencing & Gatework: Installed high-end wood and stucco fencing with custom cedar gates for both security and style.

Privacy fence and ornamental grasses at a New Buffalo, MI home

The Outcome:

A Backyard Designed for Daily Use

The finished space is a seamless blend of architectural clarity and natural softness. It offers a series of distinct outdoor rooms: an elegant entry courtyard, a vibrant garden path, and a lakeside retreat that opens to a panoramic Lake Michigan view.

The tennis court is now framed with crisp gravel and hedging, visually tied into the property with plantings that repeat throughout the landscape. Thoughtfully placed lighting and irrigation ensure the space is functional and easy to maintain.

Gallery

Modern white house with a landscaped garden, stone pathway, green lawn, trees, and shrubs under a clear blue sky.
A patio overlooking a beach with four wooden chairs surrounding a fire pit made of rocks, with two large potted plants and a large tree providing shade.
A patio overlooking a large body of water, with outdoor chairs and tables, some under a tree and others near bushes, with a clear blue sky.
Outdoor patio with black wicker chairs around a fire pit, overlooking a beach with blue ocean and green grass, shaded by trees, white fence in background.
A backyard patio with a brick paver surface, a white stucco wall with outdoor lanterns, a small wooden gate, green shrubs, and a wooden fence, with construction or gardening equipment on the right side.
A well-maintained garden pathway with large stepping stones surrounds a small garden bed with various green plants and bushes, adjacent to a white house with a curved entryway and a small porch. In the background, there is a grassy area with a tennis
A backyard with a tennis court surrounded by trees and greenery, with a small patio area featuring four white chairs and a small round table.
Row of trimmed bushes along a gravel path next to a tennis court with a white fence background.
A fenced tennis court with a net, surrounded by trees and plants, with a white wall and some seating area with three white chairs and a small table on a gravel path.
A landscaped backyard with a green lawn, a white wall with creeping vines, a stone retaining wall, and a wooden gate on the left. There are shadows on the grass and a paved pathway on the right, with a tree and a railing in the distance.
A backyard with a stone pathway leading to a grassy area, surrounded by trees, shrubs, and outdoor seating.
A backyard with a stone pathway, green grass, garden beds, trees, and white outdoor furniture.

Client Impact

The transformation went beyond curb appeal. The homeowners now have a cohesive outdoor living experience that mirrors the quality and beauty of their home. Entertaining flows effortlessly from front to back, and the space finally lives up to its lakeside potential.

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