In the heart of St. Louis Park, this backyard transformation trades suburban uniformity for old-world charm – a winding, intimate landscape designed for a family who wanted their outdoor space to feel less like a yard and more like a secret garden. Rather than imposing straight lines and formal geometry, the design embraces curves and meandering pathways that invite exploration. A cedar pergola anchors the al fresco dining area, while bluestone pavers with delicate brick detailing wind through pollinator-friendly plantings toward a backyard sauna. In a nod to the property's history, the original laundry line post finds new purpose as the perfect spot to hang sauna towels – a small detail that honors what came before while serving what comes next.

Raised vegetable beds provide space for growing food, surrounded by perennials and native plantings that attract birds and butterflies throughout the growing season. Thoughtfully placed lighting transforms the space after dark, casting warm pools of light that make evening dinners and post-sauna lounging feel like stepping into a European courtyard. The materials – weathered brick, natural bluestone, and cedar – develop patina over time, growing more beautiful with age rather than fighting against it. The result is a landscape that rejects the cookie-cutter suburban aesthetic in favor of something far more personal: a romantic, non-linear retreat that celebrates the simple pleasures of growing food, gathering outdoors, and creating a backyard that truly feels like home.