Designing for Beauty and Function: The Mayfair Drive Project
Sometimes the most stunning outdoor spaces start with a challenge. That was certainly the case for the Mayfair Drive project, where our client came to us in the middle of the pandemic with a dream of adding a pool and garden oasis— but also a backyard with serious drainage issues, a failing retaining wall, and a deck he couldn’t stand.
Nestled in Brookhaven, GA, this backyard was deceptively simple in appearance but complicated beneath the surface. Behind the house, the land rose sharply, creating a bowl-like effect that naturally invited water to pool behind the home. On top of that, there was an existing retaining wall that was tall, long, and starting to crack, while the oddly shaped deck didn’t serve the space or the client’s needs.
While others might focus solely on aesthetics, overlooking the site’s real challenges, City Garden Company’s owner Patrick knew better: “It’s not gonna be pretty if it floods.” That’s why the design didn’t start with plants or layout sketches—it started with a stormwater management plan.
We engineered a massive, invisible, and highly efficient underground drainage system tucked beneath the lawn and hidden under the deck. The result? A fully functional landscape that handles water like a dream without a single visible drain.
Layering Function into the Design
With stormwater issues addressed, the design could unfold: a modern outdoor retreat that seamlessly incorporated a pool, a bocce court, and space for outdoor cooking. Instead of traditional retaining walls, we used a mix of corten steel and locally sourced river rock boulders to keep things feeling grounded and natural, while maintaining a clean, contemporary edge. This approach also helped manage costs without sacrificing form or function.
Patrick managed the pool installation process in collaboration with a trusted pool contractor, ensuring everything from elevation to drainage was precisely coordinated.
A Planting Palette with Purpose
For this project, the client envisioned a classic Southern garden, so the planting palette leaned heavily into that aesthetic. While native plants weren’t the priority, we still looked for opportunities to incorporate them wherever possible. The result is a garden rooted in the homeowner’s personal style—with touches of native structure and resilience quietly woven in.
A Backyard that Does It All
From pool days to evening bocce games, the outdoor living space is a backyard oasis. And while you won’t see any drains, concrete swales, or stormwater tanks in the photos, they’re there, doing the invisible work that makes the whole design possible.
What’s more, the owner loves his outdoor office. “It’s the perfect working environment for my life as a sculptor. I start my day outside with coffee on the deck and work my way to the opposite side of the yard where my outdoor shop looks out onto the pool. In the spring and summer, I dip in the water to cool off. It’s my backyard oasis.” – Mayfair Drive owner.
Behind every beautiful City Garden Company project is a thoughtful, intentional process. Mayfair Drive reminds us: the most successful landscapes aren’t just about what you see—they’re about how they function.
