Truly a hidden gem, the seaside garden of architect Jill Rerucha sits well below the adjacent street and presents itself in stages, from forested slope to woodland garden and, after a pass through the home, opens up to breathtaking views of Puget Sound.
My visit took place on a perfect June evening and focused on the seaside portion, where a relaxed elegance presides over the colorful garden beds and generous lawn, creating an ideal environment for both entertaining and relaxation. Jill’s dog Tucker clearly loves the garden; he can chase a ball into the waves, roll around in the grass or just hang out in the shade of the glorious birch tree that helps frame the view of the Sound. Jill has been gardening here since 2003. More from the gardener, in her own words:
Honoring the Site
“I always start my designs with the given. Honoring the site and its intrinsic qualities, I want to reinforce the experience of the site. The dining table at the sand terrace adjacent to the beach is an example. In architecture I often find myself designing a lifestyle too.”
“An overriding idea for my designs is site as house. The experience does not start at the front door. You can sequence your garden and architectural experience together to create a journey through.”
An Artist’s Journey
“The natural beauty and unexpected outcomes of the garden feels like watercolor painting. I can select the colors, touch the paper and the color plumes into the other in a beautiful uncontrolled way. As an artist and an architect there is a lot of overlap. I have learned I can create spaces and sequencing of spaces with vegetation and control the experience.”
It is a lovely place to relax and rejuvenate. When I am home, I am usually in the garden.
Inspiration and Future Plans
{I’m inspired by}”the unique natural conditions of the site. The eastside is a steep wooded slope that extends down to the house. I am developing the hillside trail into a woodland garden with filtered light. One day it will be a magical approach to the house. This is the vertical element of the site. The westside faces the Puget Sound and has 180-degree views. The horizon line is important and maintaining the open expanse.”
“When I build my new house, this will be the overriding idea. Vertical and tall on the east to mimic the tree trunk and capture the hill. And horizontal ribbon windows on the west to frame the 180-degree sound and mountains view.” My next project is “a modern gate at the top of the hill. A frosted glass and steel door wedged between the mock orange hedge that runs along the street. It will be my front door and the beginning of the journey into my home.”
{Becoming a gardener has taught me} “patience, hope, the miracle of nature, imperfection is perfection.”
A Favorite Place
{I love} “siting under the birch tree on a warm summer evening with the view of the water. It is a gathering place for the neighbors in summer and blankets are spread out. “
Thank you Jill for sharing your little slice of paradise! Find out more about Jill and her work at Rerucha Studio here.