The Graphic Garden

Book excerpt: The Graphic Garden is the first monograph from Keith Williams, a partner, along with Mario Nievera, of Nievera Williams Design-one of the country's leading landscape architectural firms. Based in South Florida, Williams has been designing sumptuous outdoor spaces for over 20 years. In The Graphic Garden, Williams highlights his most impressive projects to date which includes the revitalization of several historically landmarked homes and properties. He often integrates both native and exotic plants, builds opulent swimming pools, and brings in mature trees and stone work, all of which result in stunning gardens that are brimming with lush, tropical foliage. More than just plantings, other design elements featured include whimsical pool cabanas, a vertical garden wall, a loggia inspired by the architecture of Bermuda, Moorish-tiled fountains, and stone-paved motor courts. In showing the transformations and process of these monumental design projects, the book highlights Williams penchant for sustainability, and his efforts to honor the natural, existing landscape while never compromising the design to create spectacularly distinctive gardens. As Williams recounts, "I design gardens-gardens that give back, that are forward-thinking, that can calm, that have emotion, each with its own scale and texture, and that change and provide experiences and human interaction."