solace

Sodic West Story

From a neglected garden to a meaningful family landmark.

The Client’s Vision
A devoted father and successful professional, our client approached Solace with a garden, and a story, that had long been abandoned. Once an outdoor space dominated by a large pool and generic greenery, the garden had become a symbol of disconnection. It was barely used, overlooked from inside the home, and eventually closed off entirely from view.
But beneath the surface the client had a beautiful intention: he wanted to turn the home into a space that would one day be passed down to his two children. What he lacked wasn’t space. It was soul. And he came to Solace to find it.

The Challenge
Years of disappointment with a non-functional, high-maintenance garden left the client with a lasting hate to large outdoor spaces. His previous design lacked structure, seating, purpose, and beauty, and it demanded more than it gave. He had stopped maintaining the space and, emotionally, detached from it completely.

Our Approach
Solace’s role was to restore not just the land, but the emotional connection to it. Through a story-first design process, we began by listening to what the client truly valued:

• Ease of use without ongoing burden
• A place to host important guests with pride
• An environment worthy of the legacy he wanted to leave behind
• A connection to nature, especially the sound of water
• A desire to feel creativity, elegance, and warmth in the space

The Transformation
From Flat to Dynamic: We reshaped the garden using multi-level landscaping, creating depth, movement, and a subtle sense of expansion within the same footprint. The tiered layout also offered better visual interest from inside the house, reopening that view.
From Pool to Purpose: The oversized pool was removed and replaced with a water feature designed for calm and continuous auditory flow. This not only saved space but created a calming ambiance and a personal connection.
From Dead Corners to Meaningful Spaces: What was once an unused corner was transformed into a secluded seating area beside the water feature, giving the client a peaceful retreat where he can listen to water and reconnect with the outdoors.
From High-Maintenance to Hassle-Free Luxury: Every material used, whether stone, metal, or premium artificial grass, was hand- selected for durability, elegance, and zero maintenance, ensuring the space remained durable with minimal effort.
From Isolation to Hosting with Pride: The final design provided areas for hosting visitors, lounging, and reconnecting as a family. Every space was created with the future in mind, not only for daily use, but for the story the client hopes his children will one day inherit.

The Result
A forgotten garden is now a living legacy. Functional, beautiful, and filled with purpose. The client, once disconnected with outdoor spaces, now welcomes guests, enjoys peaceful moments by the water, and looks at his garden as an extension of the values he holds most dear, family, peace, and elegance.
At Solace, we don’t just design spaces.
We restore connection.
We design for life, and beyond it.