When the time came to tackle the grounds of their 3,500-square-foot residence on Belle Meade Island, its owners called on Carolina Monteiro, founder and owner of CLAD Landscape Architecture and Design in Miami, and expressed their desire for outdoor living amid the beauty of the natural landscape.
“This project was a dynamic collaboration with the clients,” says Monteiro. “Centered around the single goal of awakening the property’s inherent charm and existing roots, we developed a lush, serendipitous aesthetic inspired by their passion for sustainability, funky character, and tropical flora.”
While Monteiro’s planting scheme appears wild and effortless, every species was strategically placed, balancing environmental needs—sun, water, and wind—with a deliberate play on textures and organized combinations. To satisfy the owners’ wish for charming hardscape, she introduced focal points like hand-built oolite walls and winding porphyry flagstone paths that encourage discovery. “Ultimately, the softscape acts as the living seam, weaving these unique outdoor spaces into a cohesive whole,” notes the architect.
Winding paths and hidden gardens tucked into private alcoves evoke a sense of wonder, inviting visitors on a journey of sensory experiences. Shade-tolerant ferns and philodendrons define the planting palette, complementing the existing trees draped in Spanish moss that soften the periphery. A sweeping oolite wall is a special feature among the alcoves, and along the seawall, soft, flowing grasses blur the line between the garden and the water.
In addition to the pollinators surrounding the pool deck, a collection of wind-tolerant coastal plants enhances the greenery, and many of the property’s existing palms have been preserved and embellished with orchids. A pool cabana is buffered by lush plantings.
A family heirloom sculpture of a hand delivers a garden focal point, surrounded by a thriving blend of native and exotic plants that soften the landscape’s natural water-catchment area. Emitting a sense of nostalgia, the artwork sits on a natural oolite pedestal surrounded by tropical plants and old-growth oak trees.
“The homeowners’ love for outdoor living made curating their garden spaces a joy,” says Monteiro. “Moving beyond the typical ‘ultra-chic’ Miami aesthetic, we collaborated on timeless, unique solutions that felt both cozy and sophisticated.”
Story Credits:
Text by Jeanne De Lathouder
Photography by Johanan Benavides
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