Designing with Nature: A Look at the Smithfield Exterior

As we put the finishing touches on the interior of our Smithfield project, our attention has turned to the property’s exterior. As we mentioned in last month’s blog post, the outside of a home can be just as impactful as the inside. With this build, we've been focusing on designing with nature, creating harmony between the home’s architecture, the surrounding landscape, and our clients' lifestyle.

Some of the key exterior elements include stone retaining walls, a veneer-clad wall, granite treads, walkways, steppers, and low-maintenance landscaping. Our goal is to work with the land, not against it, making thoughtful choices that feel like they've always belonged and complement the natural flow of the home.

One of the core principles behind the exterior design at Smithfield was letting the natural grade and surroundings dictate layout. Rather than forcing the landscape to change, the design embraces the slope, flow, and texture of the environment. Every hardscape decision at Smithfield aimed to be both functional and beautiful. That starts with using the natural slope to guide design decisions. We strive for designs that look effortless, as though nature shaped them because our brains can easily detect when something feels “off” or manufactured, we work hard to create outdoor environments that feel intuitive and make sense with the architecture of the home. 

The retaining walls at Smithfield are a perfect example of form meeting function. Built using

boulders, ideally 5 to 6 feet in size, they feel like extensions of the earth. These walls aren’t laid out in a rigid pattern, but rather approached like sculpture. Flat-faced stones offer a consistent surface, but there's no strict formula, it is just an intuitive process of moving, stacking, adjusting, and letting the stones “tell” us where they belong. Beyond aesthetics, these walls serve an essential purpose: holding back soil and shaping usable terraces.

Granite steppers and treads were selected for their durability, local availability, and timeless look. A veneer-clad retaining wall on the driveway side helps connect both areas and complements the black exterior of the home.

Additionally we have a terrace area for the back and side of the house to the loft. On the terrace we have an established bed and a granite walkway that feels natural as you go up it. When you look back it looks like it was always there. There is also a beautiful granite walkway to the front of the house that will be lined with plantings. Granite became a go-to material at Smithfield not just for looks, but for practicality. It’s durable, locally available, cost-effective, and it weathers beautifully. Whether in the walkway, steps, or wall elements, granite ensures the design will last generations with minimal maintenance.

Landscaping will line these walkways with plantings that soften the stone and guide the eye. The landscaping will consist of low maintenance plants and shrubs like succulents, ground covers, and ornamental perennials. We hope to see some flowers  like lilys, lime light hydrangeas for hedgerows, and some pops of color as well. These choices are not just about beauty, they reduce the need for constant upkeep and thrive in the regional climate. The planting plan at Smithfield balances visual appeal with long-term ease.

At Smithfield, design wasn’t about imposing an idea onto the land, it was about listening to the land and designing around it. The results speak for themselves: a home that feels rooted in place, an exterior that invites exploration, and a landscape that will thrive for decades.