alfresco cabana
Our garden is a lot of work, but there is not a more beautiful place to entertain on a warm spring evening. K A R EN SA MIS
72 405 HOME SPRING 2018
“We have added trees and maintained a lot of the stonework,” Samis says. “It is basically the same as when I was a child. It is not formal by any means, but still requires a lot of maintenance. Although our yard is obviously private, there have been two weddings in the lower garden that we just happened to notice taking place from our kitchen window.” The home has undergone several renovations necessitating changes to the landscape through the years, most recently relocating the pool and building an outdoor living space. “We love the outdoor room, and with the fireplace and heaters, we can use it most of the year,” she says. “We also included a wood oven, which is great for pizzas and roasting chickens. It is a great entertainment space for family and friends.” The Samis home and garden have an elegant look and feel, and the occupants make sure their guests always feel welcome. The mature elm trees and bald cypress offer welcoming shade, while tinkling fountains provide a soothing ambiance. “Our lower garden is cooler in the summer, and so quiet — it is a beautiful place in our yard that feels like a real getaway,” Samis says. “There is a wishing well that is great fun for our grandchildren, and of course, the Easter bunny always visits in the spring. Our garden is a lot of work, but there is not a more beautiful place to entertain on a warm spring evening.”