Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
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incorporates organic seeds and native plants when possible. Chill out. "When we talk about what's important in the garden right now, I think of a white garden," says Mariani, noting its combination of whites, silvers, grays, blues, and—of course—greens, which have a calming influence, as do Pantone's 2016 Colors of the Year, Serenity and Rose Quartz, which he's also embracing. (Observes Mariani, "In this world that we live in with acts of terrorism and political bickering, doesn't it make sense when you look at both colors that were selected this year?") Materials matter. "A change in the way material is utilized can make something hard and some- what boring turn into something softer, more comfortable, and light," he says, citing the use of crushed gravel and granite over bluestone and limestone. Do not disturb. Mariani recalls a recent project centering on a private seventh-floor rooftop located directly across from a 20-story hotel downtown. "Our space was going to be viewed by a lot of people," reflects Mariani, who didn't want his client to sacrifice sightlines for privacy. With a series of walls, awnings, metalwork, and planters, Mariani's team was able to "create private spaces, yet leave it open to the view that we want." Think lo ng term. Will your garden have staying power? After all, says Mariani, "I think our gardens look great the day they're done; I'm much more pleased if they look great 25, 30, or 40 years after." . MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 155 Vibrant hydrangea bushes provide a welcome pop of color. An open-air arbor (ABOVE LEFT) keeps skyline views intact, while a Mag Mile rooftop (ABOVE) enhances its narrow spaces with boxwoods, compact trees, and geometric stepping stones. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA OYAMA BRYAN