The passage between front and rear garden is often a forgotten space with little thought put into it.  Granted, it’s often also a functional area for the stuff we don’t want in our line of sight.  But what if it’s the route most often used by guests or family? Rather than a lost opportunity, it can become a sensory treat and a clue to what lies beyond.  For this home’s owners, we converted the back garden to a zen-like retreat for rest and contemplation.  Because direct sunlight is often lacking along the side passage, I work with the textures of stone, wood, and mulch, and if sustainable, shade loving plants.  Here, the stepping stones laid in pea gravel offer a subtle hint to the character of the landscaping.  Sometimes I screen the full view of the back garden and limit what's revealed to a carefully chosen focal point.  Better to build anticipation with the hint of an impression, and deliver the payoff in a revealing series of stages as you discover the garden.