One recommendation about a beautiful lunch spot, and this entire project's scope changed.

During an interview about designing a patio, landscape architect David Fierabend sized up his potential clients' tastes and suggested they check out Terrain immediately. "They went there the next day, called me while they were eating lunch there and told me they wanted the greenhouse at Terrain's restaurant." All of a sudden the small patio project expanded into a larger master plan that included an expansive greenhouse. And Fierabend landed the job.

The clients own a home in Manhattan; this is their country home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. One of the owners "is a fashionista, was in the high-end fashion industry for years and has amazing taste," says Fierabend, of Groundswell Design Group. "She has these fascinating collections of all kinds of things — old hardware, rulers, nuts and bolts, but she keeps them meticulously organized and displayed; none of it appears the least bit cluttered — it reminded me of a showroom or the way an Anthropologie store is merchandised." (The same people who own Anthropologie created Terrain.)

Check it out and you'll see why the couple now spends even more time in the country than they do in Manhattan.

Greenhouse at a Glance
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Size: 1,200 square feet Groundswell Design Group, LLC "My clients wanted something easy; they were totally over renovating after working on the house renovations for so long," Fierabend says.

They own about 6 acres surrounded by a beautiful agrarian landscape of fields and woods. "It's quintessential Bucks County beauty," he says. Groundswell Design Group, LLC The main house is '70s modern, with big windows. The renovations kept the groovy modern vibe while infusing it with their own industrial tastes.

The greenhouse is on an axis with the main house, making it an extension of the house. While there are plenty of potted plants inside, its main function is for lounging and living, not growing plants; it contains a dining room and a living room.

It also has heat and air conditioning. "Now they spend more time out here than they do in the main house," Fierabend says. It brings them even closer to their serene country surroundings. Groundswell Design Group, LLC Taking a cue from his client's penchant for collecting, Fierabend created this sculptural arrangement of vintage watering cans in lieu of a dining table chandelier.

Fierabend also catered to his clients' penchant for industrial style. The glass walls and concrete floor bring the modern industrial, and the red Tolix chairs, watering cans and bench bring in some rustic vintage, appropriate for the country setting.
Groundswell Design Group, LLC River birch trees and waves of grasses create a sinuous border along the side of the greenhouse, providing a light screen that rustles in the wind. "My clients live near The High Line in New York City and wanted that kind of meadowesque plant palette, nothing fussy," Fierabend says.

The plantings also soften the geometry of the greenhouse and axial plan. The planted border is a nice transition out into the greater meadow around the greenhouse. It includes asters and echinacea, which relate to the wildflowers beyond. Groundswell Design Group, LLC The greenhouse is a great spot for appreciating sunsets. Fierabend chose repurposed vintage barn lights throughout the greenhouse and put everything on dimmers for mood lighting at night. Fans and operable windows circulate the fresh air. Groundswell Design Group, LLC Fierabend also designed an intimate patio between the main house and the greenhouse. He's always eager to use reclaimed items in his projects; the patio material is made of recycled composite railroad ties. Groundswell Design Group, LLC Terraces navigate the grade changes between the main house and the greenhouse, while gabion walls create a boundary around the outdoor patio room. Fierabend crafted these from minnow cages filled with rocks. Reclaimed Cor-Ten steel surrounds succulent gardens, and a custom firepit creates a toasty center for cold nights.

See other ways designers are using Cor-Ten steel in the landscape Groundswell Design Group, LLC Large boulders serve as steps from the new patio to the greenhouse and relate to the rocks in the gabion walls. Groundswell Design Group, LLC A large fireplace, open to both the living and dining sides, anchors the space. Along with radiant floor heating, it keeps the greenhouse warm and comfortable in winter.

The homeowners host a party for about 150 people every year. "This year the theme was 'Cocktails, Canapes and Campfires,'" Fierabend says. "The wife made the denim throw pillows from her scrap pile for the party," he says. "Her job in fashion left her with all sorts of fabrics that would amaze you; she has stacks of Comme des Garçons fabrics lying around!" Stacks that are meticulously folded and organized, of course. Groundswell Design Group, LLC The space is so cozy at night, you can see why the homeowners like to spend time here at all hours. "Everything has a place out here, and nothing ever looks messy," Fierabend says. Groundswell Design Group, LLC The owners have fallen so in love with their country home and greenhouse that they changed their work and lifestyles so they can spend more than half their time here.