A Country Estate, Refined

Saddle River, NJ

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Project Description

Set deep along East Saddle River Road on a breathtaking 14-acre property, this country estate offered abundant beauty—meadows, woodlands, a serene pond, and wide-open lawn. But it lacked a cohesive sense of place.

Magic Landscaping’s approach was to let the land lead. With a “less is more” philosophy, Drew and the team preserved open lawn expanses and enhanced them with architectural stonework, sculpted gardens, and spaces that invite both stillness and celebration.

The journey through this estate now unfolds with a quiet sense of luxury. A reimagined entry court welcomes you with grace. A bluestone patio and thoughtfully positioned pool offer moments of leisure and serenity. Throughout the property, the landscape doesn’t just impress—it belongs.

This project is a masterclass in restraint, rhythm, and refinement.

The expansive site posed two major challenges:
1. Pool Placement: With set-back limitations and grade shifts, it was difficult to find a placement that felt integrated and unobtrusive. The solution was to install the formal pool in close proximity to the drive court—then soften it visually with a freestanding privacy wall and lush green framing.
2. Visual Disruption at the Front Lawn: An exposed utility box sat directly in the center of the otherwise majestic lawn. Working with engineers and utility providers, Magic redesigned the grading plan and used custom fieldstone enclosures and subtle recontouring to make the structure virtually disappear—transforming an eyesore into invisible infrastructure.
Elegant, Timeless, Restrained, Refined, Structured, Naturalistic, Understated Luxury
Bluestone Patios and Walkways, Formal Pool Garden, Custom Retaining Walls, Freestanding Privacy Wall, Utility Screening with Grading & Stonework, Entry Court, Native Plantings, Meadow and Woodland Integration
Budget: $1M+
Saddle River, NJ
Residential, Estate Renovation