Lake Forest’s own Architectural Gardens, a landscape design firm, recently won a nice prize—a gold award in the residential landscape construction category of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association’s Excellence in Landscape competition. For the winning project, The Modern Garden (created for a Lake Bluff home), all lawn was removed and new shrubs, trees, and ground covers were added, along with bluestone paths, masonry seat walls, and several patios. Designer Margaret Morrissette divided the yard into distinct outdoor rooms that include a grilling and dining area, a spot for an herb garden, a teen lounge, and a cozy seating area around the fireplace for entertaining. The before-and-after photos are jaw-dropping – talk about a transformation! You can view more photos here.