by Taylor Bowler
Almost immediately after Karri Files Paul’s clients moved into their Eastover home in 2023, they wanted to revamp the backyard. The property had a pool and an extensive garden with more than 20 varieties of tea roses, but the space was underutilized and lacked organization. The homeowners sought a pool refresh, hardscape improvements and a more cohesive garden. With three young boys and two dogs, they needed a children’s play area, a pet-friendly zone and clear sight lines to the pool. They also hoped to preserve the rose collection and layer it with a more curated plant palette.
The couple hired Files Paul, owner of KFiles Design, to reinterpret the classic English garden with a modern, livable twist.
“There’s a big difference between a yard for an older couple and a yard for an active young family,” Files Paul says. “My goal is to make sure my clients and their families are utilizing every square inch of their yard.”
Before tackling the cosmetic updates, they eliminated an awkward garage bump-out to open the space. Files Paul also worked with the team at Waxhaw-based Landmark Landscape to remove some trees and overgrown plants and regrade the sloped yard to protect the home from water damage.
They opted for faux turf instead of natural grass for a few reasons: Around a pool, where grass struggles anyway, turf keeps the space tidy without constant upkeep. It’s also soft and nonslip for kids, and it creates a clean visual transition between stone, decking and garden beds.
The team at The Perfect Rose, based in Salisbury, was able to temporarily relocate and maintain the rose collection during the backyard renovation. “This rose garden was somebody’s personal collection that they passed on,” Files Paul says. “It’s rare that you see somebody try to save something like this.”
Copper light fixtures from Lantern & Scroll hang on either side of the arched trellis. Container design is by A Perfect Pot.
Files Paul replaced the rotten deck with a new Indiana limestone patio and added red-brick retaining walls and steps to complement the house. The green trellis provides privacy along the narrow property line while maintaining the classic, English style. Another arched green trellis anchors the area where the garage bump-out was.
“It highlighted this long, bare space on the side of the house,” Files Paul says. “We put a pot in the middle to create the focal point, and I sourced the copper lanterns on either side.”
The pool wall features herringbone brick detailing and limestone water spouts. Sun loungers create an intentional space for relaxation, and oversized planters from Campania International set the stage for the garden.
“Landscape and hardscape need to match the style of the house, so it looks like it was always there and looks timeless,” the designer says.
Along the fence, she installed emerald green arborvitae trees.
“They’re narrow and provide height without getting too wide, and they’re evergreen,” she says. “Behind the loungers, we did a boxwood hedge, so there’s a great textural play between the trees and roses. It’s a lot of different types of foliage happening, so it keeps your eye moving through the garden bed.”
Contemporary teak furniture from Harbour Outdoor grounds the patio, while topiaries on either side of the door are another nod to the English style. To enhance the existing rose garden, Files Paul incorporated companion plants like nepeta, hydrangeas, astilbe and lavender.
“I’m not a fan of turf in a super large area, and I’ll never put it in the front yard,” Files Paul says, “but I love using it in smaller spaces for young families with highly active children.”
“The fact that we preserved that rose garden is a huge piece of what we did,” she says. “When a client requests cut flowers, it tells me they will hire a gardening team, which (the homeowner) has done, or they have a green thumb, which she definitely does. She was out there the whole time tending to her plants, and very engaged.”
At the end of the eight-month renovation, the homeowners had an elegant backyard with room to gather, swim and savor the rose garden.
“From a plant perspective, I’m proud of how it came together,” Files Paul says. “With the custom masonry and the custom treillage, there’s something beautiful to look at in every direction.” SP
