Though his projects vary in style, there is one principle that anchors each one of Ted Carter’s designs: a juxtaposition between clean and linear, rustic and soft forms. On Cornbrook Lane in Kennebunkport, his team transformed a client’s landscape and existing architecture through Ted’s unique blend of stonework and plants.
The home abuts acres of stunning, pastoral land, which Ted wanted to emphasize. From top to bottom, the landscape flows from a stone outdoor terrace to a grass alley, then flowers and shrubs, a retaining wall, more plants, and finally landing down onto the pool area with an attached cabana and fireplace. From all points of the property, there’s no question that every element of design points to the sweeping pastures beyond.
This client was particularly joyful for Ted to work with; an avid gardener with a free-standing garden shed on the edge of the property. Ted wanted to play up different “destinations” in the yard to allow the owners to appreciate their own gardening projects as well as the landscape and pastoral vistas. “If the terrace is a place to enjoy the morning views,” Ted says, “then the granite seating area is for introspection at the end of the day with a fire pit and rotating lanterns to set the atmosphere.”
To pull off such a multi-layered project, Ted says that he leaned into the saying: Freedom through discipline. He knew his original design had to be precise to allow for more natural, free-form moments. The rustic plants and organic stairs balance the linear and crisp walls of the house. As Ted says, “Where the structured and playful free-form worlds meet.”
