Courtyards The ultimate garden luxury By Nicole Bent E


veryone has a favorite type of garden. For some it’s a perfectly manicured landscape, for others it’s a cut flower or a vegetable garden. My garden obses-


sion is courtyards. I became fascinated by courtyards when I was young, probably on travels to Europe with my family. To step into a courtyard has a magical feeling to it, as though you’re entering a secret place where no one can see or find you . . . a place that’s all your own. In the many courtyards I’ve enjoyed, whether they’re of classical design, zen, or modern, they all create the same feelings of tranquility, privacy, and of being in a place that is special. Having recently purchased a home in River Heights with a postage stamp backyard and virtually no


24 • Summer 2014


landscaping, I plan to finally fulfill my dream of creating my very own courtyard, my private sanctuary. This is my idea of luxury! So, where do I begin? The courtyard is one of the most enduring architectur-


al forms of housing in history. Courtyard housing first appeared in the buildings of Syria, Iran and China three millennia ago and were used for many purposes including cooking, sleeping, working, playing, gardening, and even as a place to keep animals. In their essence, courtyards are simply private spaces surrounded by buildings that are open to the sky. Today, architects are re-exploring ways that courtyards can play a role in today’s homes and cities. In urban life, a home courtyard can provide privacy for a


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