Japanese Journey

Japanese Journey The 'Japanese Journey,' completed by Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS), mirrors the tranquility and extreme care inherent in traditional Japanese Gardens but tailored to complete the natural beauty of the New England landscape. The appropriateness of the site work could be visually transmitted to clients located in Alstead, Bellows Falls, Charlestown, Chester, Grafton, Langdon, North Walpole, North Westminster, Putney, Rockingham, Saxtons River, Springfield, Townshend, Walpole, West Townshend, Westminster, and Westminster Station. JMMDS took a large outdoor space and through carefully considered planting, carefully wrapped the gardens and layered texture and color with the seasons in mind to develop a calming retreat that showcases the principles of balance and harmony. In a site rich with majestic deeply colored Japanese maples (many of which were original specimens on the property), flowering cherry trees and graceful bamboo, living elements are positioned in a deliberate manner, resulting in seasons of color and texture in place of traditional flowers. The garden is finished using quality natural stone to build pathways and water features to add intrigue to the gardens. Visitors are greeted with the sound of running water while viewing the stunning koi pond, clearly a focal visual point and welcoming gesture to encourage a sense of brightness and peace to the senses. Native boulders, used intentionally, framed the edges of the water's edge and echoed the character of the rugged local woodland hills while providing an elevated and beautiful seat for seating as well as contemplation by others. One of the challenges inherent in the site was that of changing levels of height of the slope. The JMMDS team utilized terracing not only to reduce the steepness of the slope but conceivably create clearly defined areas appropriate for rest and solitude structured by terracing some of the height change. This design of terracing gave attention to the functional and serviceable placements in the gardens. The outcome of the design and process is a rich landscape designed to instigate a sensory journey through gardens and nature. To enter is to be gently invited to share in the sounds of water that make to candle a sensory experience woven through a place of rich colors and shapes from observations in nature through the gardens or to experience a true moment of mediation leaving the busy world behind. The clients now have a private (if not personal) return to a landscape that adds value to their property and helps elevate their spirits with everyday use and experience in and around their home both in its calmness but also in its beautiful surroundings and amenities. JMMDS as individuals and as a sponsoring company provided quality craftsmanship that brought distinctive character to the property with questioning admiration of thoughtfulness layer to the designed work, beauty sooth, and respect to the environment was exemplified images in this outcome in design and execution.