This 5 story classic Fort Greene Brooklyn Brownstone had a rear garden in need of a complete restoration. Inspired by the Japanese dry garden style, Karesansui, we created a sea of gravel, punctuated by natural boulders and smooth stepping stones leading to a level rustic stone patio. Existing mature trees remained, with the addition of dwarf evergreens, a border of flowering Vibernum and moss and lichen covered logs and rocks to create an urban forest. We retained the old wooden fence and a few of the existing paving stones to bring a “wabi sabi” to the garden. A sense of imperfection and simplicity; a respect and acceptance of the beauty of what is, rather than what could be.