Great Expectations

Rough Concrete Blocks a Dream House Troian Bellisario and Patrick J. Adams fell in love with their home instantly. But the backyard stopped them cold. A massive, harsh slab of rough concrete dominated the space. It nearly broke the deal. The couple knew restoring this eyesore would demand the bulk of their renovation energy. It was a massive gamble. Cranes Fly in Two Olive Trees Landscaper Shawn Femrite stepped in to solve the design puzzle. He insisted on adding structural height and shape to the flat yard. His solution baffled the couple: bringing in heavy machinery to crane two massive, mature olive trees over the house. Today, those giant canopies cast deep shade by day and form a cozy, lit cove at night. It is a stunning visual anchor. Chasing the Ghost of Miss Havisham Bellisario wanted to avoid sterile, manicured lawns. Instead, she chased a moody, romantic literary aesthetic. She requested a wild, overgrown garden inspired by Miss Havisham from *Great Expectations*. Femrite planted creeping ivies to climb the walls. The goal is a lush, untamed environment where visitors must actually duck under hanging branches to navigate the path. Turning a 1970s Pool Into a Moroccan Escape At the highest point of the property sits a pool added in 1972. Originally, it felt entirely disconnected from the main home's historic charm. The couple replaced a rickety wood structure with a formal lounge area. Anchored by an original Moroccan light fixture that projects intricate patterns, the space now feels like a permanent vacation for visiting friends.