featured property Carlisle Country Estate

Located in Carlisle, Massachusetts, this award-winning farmhouse landscape reinterprets a historic 1773 property through a refined balance of agrarian tradition, outdoor living, and environmental stewardship. The design creates cohesion across fields, gardens, and structures while supporting modern family use.

a historic property with a new purpose

Carlisle, MA | Set within the rolling fields and woodlands of Carlisle, Massachusetts, this historic 1773 farmhouse and barn offered both inspiration and challenge. While the scale and agrarian setting were undeniable assets, the surrounding landscape lacked cohesion and usable outdoor spaces that reflected the property’s history or supported modern living.

The homeowners envisioned a landscape that felt authentic to the land, productive in nature, and seamlessly connected to daily life. Their goal was not decoration, but transformation: a landscape rooted in agriculture, shaped by history, and designed to be lived in year-round.
A strong lawn axis visually connects barn and farmhouse, unifying the estate through alignment and proportion. Photo: Michael J. Lee
A stone terrace steps down to an open lawn, preserving long views while reinforcing the farmhouse’s historic character through restrained materials and balanced proportions.

balancing opportunity with constraint

Designing at this scale required careful consideration of both opportunity and constraint. Wetlands, expansive open fields, and fragmented outdoor areas demanded a thoughtful, restrained approach rather than imposed structure. The clients wanted spaces for dining, entertaining, and relaxation, while also integrating orchards, gardens, and working agricultural elements.

Every decision needed to respect the Carlisle site’s past while ensuring long-term function and sustainability. Our team approached the project as a multi-year evolution, developing a cohesive vision that balanced environmental responsibility, mature plantings, and a strong connection between the home and the land.

from vision to award-winning reality

The resulting landscape is a carefully layered composition that blends productive agriculture, historic craftsmanship, and modern outdoor living. The farmhouse and barn now serve as natural anchors, with the property organized into connected zones that transition effortlessly into the surrounding fields. Dry-stacked fieldstone walls, reclaimed granite steps, and split-rail fencing define spaces while maintaining openness and long views. Circulation paths guide movement between the house, barn, orchards, vegetable gardens, greenhouse, and pool area, creating a sense of discovery without disrupting the pastoral character of the site.

Productive elements were intentionally woven into the design. Orchards and vegetable gardens strengthen the connection between land and food, while a custom greenhouse, anchored by an antique granite foundation, supports year-round growing. Modern amenities were integrated with restraint, including a pool area with a floating cedar pergola that feels settled into the landscape rather than placed upon it. Throughout the property, existing materials were salvaged and reused, reinforcing authenticity and reducing environmental impact.

Environmental stewardship played a central role, from wetland restoration and invasive species removal to the use of native and drought-tolerant plantings supported by water-efficient irrigation. Mature trees and layered plantings provide immediate presence while ensuring seasonal interest and longevity. Today, the landscape functions as a lived-in extension of the home, supporting family life, agricultural productivity, and quiet enjoyment while standing as an award-winning example of thoughtful, site-driven landscape design.

see the transformation

transformations - before - carlisle country estate transformations - after - carlisle country estate

project team

Landscape Design: a Blade of Grass
Architecture: Zac Culbreth
Builder: Adams + Beasley Associates

award-winning design

National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)
NALP Gold Award of Excellence | 2023
Residential Landscape Management
Residential Design/Build Above $1,000,000

tour this property in Carlisle, MA

A handcrafted wood gate frames a tree-lined drive, creating a formal yet rural arrival sequence that sets the tone for this historic New England estate.
A gravel drive court is framed by stone walls, balancing function, durability, and formal estate character.
Subtle fencing and ornamental plantings define the pool area while preserving open views and maintaining estate-scale cohesion.
A gravel drive leads to the converted barn, blending modern use with traditional landscape materials.
Fieldstone walls and granite steps define the main entry, establishing formality and durability at the home’s threshold.
Gravel paving and restrained planting complement the barn’s metal roof, maintaining a cohesive rural aesthetic. Photo: Warren Patterson

arrival and estate approach

Gravel drives, hand-laid stone walls, and wood gates define a composed estate arrival, guiding movement through a pastoral landscape. Weathered stone, cedar, and painted wood are complemented by seasonal greens, flowering trees, and meadow plantings. Broad lawn edges, framed views, and restrained detailing create a sense of order and continuity, reflecting New England farm traditions and a landscape design approach grounded in durability, heritage, and long-term stewardship.
Stone steps connect a screened porch to the garden terrace, extending living space while maintaining a seamless indoor-outdoor relationship.
A stone terrace steps down to an open lawn, preserving long views while reinforcing the farmhouse’s historic character through restrained materials and balanced proportions.
Granite steps and foundation plantings soften the entry, blending architecture with the surrounding garden. Photo: Warren Patterson
Layered stone steps guide movement through planted slopes, managing grade while adding architectural interest.
Granite stepping stones cross the lawn, offering subtle circulation without interrupting the open landscape.
Foundation plantings and paths wrap the porch, creating a welcoming transition between home and garden.
Stone walls shape a sheltered seating zone, emphasizing comfort, scale, and connection to surrounding gardens. 1
Outdoor lounge terrace with firepit set within a stone surround invites cozy evenings and social gatherings in Newburyport’s scenic outdoor settings.

farmhouse gardens and terraces

Stone terraces, garden steps, and lawn panels shape a series of outdoor living spaces closely tied to the farmhouse. Fieldstone walls, granite treads, and bluestone paving create subtle level changes while preserving open views and human scale. Soft foundation plantings, flowering borders, and mature trees add seasonal color and enclosure, balancing formality with comfort. Together, these elements reflect a landscape design rooted in New England tradition, where architecture, gardens, and daily outdoor use are thoughtfully integrated.
A simple garden shed anchors the kitchen garden, providing storage while reinforcing the estate’s working landscape aesthetic.
Stone steps link the farmhouse to the greenhouse, emphasizing daily movement between living and growing spaces.
Seasonal plantings fill raised beds bordered by stonework, showcasing a productive landscape designed for beauty, access, and crop rotation. Photo: Sean Litchfield
Raised beds are softened with cottage garden plantings, blending ornamental and edible elements into a relaxed, agrarian composition.
Stone-edged raised beds define planting zones, supporting crop rotation and visual clarity within the productive garden.
An overhead view reveals the geometric layout of raised beds and stone walls within the productive garden.
Elevated planting beds are contained by stone walls that improve drainage, accessibility, and visual order within the productive garden.

productive landscape and kitchen gardens

Pea stone paths, raised planting beds, and hand-laid stone walls organize a productive kitchen garden rooted in traditional farm design. Vegetables, herbs, and flowering companions are arranged for efficiency, soil health, and visual order, with sheds and greenhouses supporting year-round use. Natural materials, open sightlines, and careful spacing balance productivity with beauty, reflecting a landscape design approach that treats food growing as an integral, thoughtfully planned part of the estate rather than a separate utility zone.
A gravel path reinforces a strong lawn axis, guiding views and movement through structured perennial borders. Photo: Warren Patterson
A stone garden entry aligns with the lawn axis, creating clear sightlines and a strong sense of arrival.
A stone-lined path connects gardens to the barn, blending circulation with seasonal planting and historic context.
Native plantings soften a stone garden wall, supporting biodiversity while maintaining a refined, estate-appropriate aesthetic.
A garden path runs beside layered perennials and fencing, guiding circulation while enhancing seasonal interest and enclosure.

garden circulation, walls, and paths

Garden walkways, lawn panels, and stone-edged paths guide movement through the gardens with clarity and intention. Hand-laid fieldstone walls define edges, manage grade changes, and create moments of pause, while layered perennial borders soften transitions and add seasonal color. Axial alignments, garden gates, and framed views connect buildings, lawns, and productive spaces, reflecting a landscape design approach that prioritizes circulation, craftsmanship, and a seamless relationship between movement and planting.
A stone patio functions as an outdoor room, with seating arranged to encourage gathering and framed by structured garden borders. Photo: Sean Litchfield
A lower stone terrace offers an intimate outdoor lounge, defined by retaining walls that create privacy and visual depth.
A gravel dining terrace sits within flowering borders, creating an inviting space for outdoor meals tied to the surrounding gardens. Photo: Sean Litchfield
A pergola aligns with the pool’s axis, creating reflection, balance, and a strong visual focal point within the broader landscape.
The pool terrace transitions toward open meadow plantings, balancing refined outdoor living with the surrounding rural landscape. Photo: Michael J. Lee
A cedar pergola anchors the pool terrace, reinforcing agrarian character while providing shade and structure. Photo: Michael J. Lee
A pergola frames views of ornamental grasses and meadow plantings, celebrating seasonal change and openness. Photo: Michael J. Lee

outdoor living, pool, and meadow edge

Set within the broader Carlisle landscape, the outdoor living spaces are organized around a refined pool that anchors the property both visually and functionally. Stone terraces, cedar pergolas, and open lawn areas guide movement toward the water, where clean edges and reflective surfaces create a calm focal point. Surrounding meadow plantings, soft greens, and seasonal color frame the pool and reinforce a seamless transition between structured outdoor rooms and the natural character of the estate.

this property in the news

The pool terrace transitions toward open meadow plantings, balancing refined outdoor living with the surrounding rural landscape. Photo: Michael J. Lee

Landscapes of the Month: Maintaining a Diverse Landscape | The Edge – NALP

This month the National Associations of Landscaping Professional’s blog, The Edge, published a wonderful deep dive on one of our most favorite properties, located in Carlisle, MA. The post covers the cleanup and restoration of the surrounding wetlands including the adding of native perennials, trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. Of course, the design and maintenance of the gardens are also discussed as are a few of the special seasonal touches and vegetable produce. Be sure to read the entire post which features our director of marketing, senior account manager of maintenance, Heather Lashbrook Jones.

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National Association of Landscape Professionals Award of Excellence 2023

Blade Wins Two Gold Awards of Excellence 2023 | National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has announced that a Blade of Grass has been selected as the winner of two(!) Gold Award of Excellence awards for 2023 – Residential Design/Build > Above $1,000,000 and Residential Landscape Management. Be sure to check out the photo galleries of this beautiful property in Carlisle, MA. We’re honored and so proud of our entire team for their hard work and creative vision.

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A cedar pergola anchors the pool terrace, reinforcing agrarian character while providing shade and structure. Photo: Michael J. Lee

Tour a Farmhouse and its Renovated Landscape | New England Home

If you want to see an absolutely beautiful New England  property, be sure to visit New England Home or pick up the latest print edition – it’s also featured on the cover! A true team effort, a Blade of Grass partnered with architect/builder Adams + Beasley Associates to turn an old farmhouse on a bare plot of land into a gracious home nestled into a picturesque setting. To quote Eric Adams “Throughout the process, the team was focused on creating this delicate modulation between the landscape and house.” And it shows. Read more.

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