Welcome to Mum Modern Landscapes dropshadow

MUM is dedicated to providing you with exceptional landscape design services, while seeking uniquely personal expressions that set your landscape apart from the ordinary. MUM develops modern site-sensitive landscapes that are thoughtful reflections inspired by your lifestyle needs and existing architectural elements. Our core design philosophy is manifested in creating modern, sustainable, low-impact solutions for your landscape.

Oakhill Lanedropshadow

The clients had just completed an exceptionally stunning modern exterior and interior renovation of their home. Their request was that the landscape design needed to complement and reflect the contemporary architecture of their home. Vast fenestration throughout the home afforded a complete integration of exterior and interior perspectives.

McHenry County College Zen Gardendropshadow

An addition to the main entrance of the college created a courtyard that remained barren and unimproved for several years. The courtyard could be seen from public hallways and administrative offices. The Chair of the Art Department requisitioned funds to enhance the space, and the garden was completed using contributed labor and college foundation funding.

Deerpath Rd.dropshadow

The landscape transitions a 3-acre woodland setting for this Mid-Century Modern house, designed by architect John Vincent Anderson.

Bull Valley Prairie Restorationdropshadow

The residence is perched on a magnificent 200-acre moraine with views spanning over 50 miles. The owners were intimately engaged in the restoration of the iconic Mid-Century Modern home and landscape designed by John Vincent Anderson. Working collaboratively on the concept and design with the owner's son, an artist, the project involved clearing large swaths of meadows and oak savanna for native restoration. Minimal plantings were employed to define and respond to the architecture. An emphasis was placed on the clearing of invasive species, and a simple editing revealed the natural beauty and serenity of the existing surrounding landscape.

 

Barrett House Landscapingdropshadow

Clients had just completed a handsome and accurately sensitive expansion of a Portuguese Revival villa and needed added landscaping to integrate with existing plantings. A semi-formal European informed design was implemented with a respecting influence of Spanish gardens.

 

White House Landscapingdropshadow

Dating from the late '20's, this iconic lakeside home, the "White House," was derived from southern antebellum architecture. After a trip to the South, the owners were inspired by the grand mansions there and wanted to recreate that experience back home in the North. The 3-acre grounds had been neglected for many years, overgrown to the point of obscuring the house completely. The landscape program was straight forward, emulating classic garden themes with more contemporary (less maintenance) requirements. After extensive clearing and reviving the stately oaks with selective pruning, a new overall design plan was conceived. The plan included a new pool with outdoor patio dining, lattice enclosure and newly created garden beds with a fountain and garden vignettes.

 

South Lake Shore Drive Landscapingdropshadow

A spectacular example of a Mid-Century Modern lake house designed by the late John Vincent Anderson. While we worked in tandem, the owners finished a complete top to bottom, sensitive yet updated contemporary restoration of this masterpiece. We collaborated with exceptionally skilled contractors to install a reimagined courtyard with a wingwall enclosure lost over many years to several previous owners. Landscaping and hardscaping including an IPE wood wingwall, fountain koi pond, and concrete courtyard set in independent monolithic slabs to complete the front of the house and property. Work will continue on the lake side of the property with a new terrace patio, spa and built-in seat lounge with firepit.

 

Sandalwooddropshadow

Situated on over 10 acres, this new build, incredibly handsome home styled on a contemporary riff of a Belgium farmhouse is simply stunning. The entire project was featured in Luxe Interiors+Design Chicago. Over a three-year period with the collaboration of the interior designer and owner, the installed landscaping included a pool, stone terracing, clearing, land forming, prairie restoration and plantings.

 

South Lake Shore Drive Landscapingdropshadow

Situated on 10 acres with sweeping country vistas, this Georgian-influenced home with British Arts & Crafts touches sits proudly in an idyllic setting. The grand Manor home included a prairie restoration of approximately 3 acres surrounding the property. A pool and terrace with architecturally sensitive retaining walls and stairways forming a partially enclosed lounging area encompassed the first phase of the hardscaping and landscaping. Simple, contemporary, elegant plantings complimented the refined taste of the well-known interior designer and owner along with her husband as they undertook a top to bottom completely reimagined restoration. As part of a second phase, a 2-ton 12' tall European Beech was planted in a center island car court at the front of the house. More images will be accompanied as the restoration is completed.

 

South Lake Shore Drive Landscapingdropshadow

A new build, transitional Manor house all clad in limestone sits impressively overlooking a golf course. Two large city lots comprise the completely landscaped property. The owner himself sourced over 50 12'- 15' Norway spruce, arborvitae and white pine, nearly depleting all large plant material from a local nursery. The hardscaping and plantings are extensive and touch every part of the grounds. Behind a large patio with pool is a grand park-like play lawn completing the dominating presence of this house.

 

Mettawa House Landscapingdropshadow

A handsomely dramatic black Scandinavian inspired home nestled in a private woodland edge. The client, who recently moved out from the city, requested a small, intimate, multi-level seating area with a water feature. The patio was site-constructed in independent monolithic concrete slabs tinted gray. A large boulder was drilled to create a shallow recirculating fountain with auto-fill. The surround acreage is being managed for savanna restoration with invasive removal and the introduction of native grasses and forbs. The atmosphere is all about relaxing in a low-maintenance, serene setting, with rustling leaves and the subtle sound of dancing, bubbling water.

 

Pullman House Landscapingdropshadow

A landscape created around an existing old growth woodland. This recently restored former George Pullman hunting retreat is a grand estate. The brief included a new pool patio terrace with retaining wall, outdoor kitchen, new planting surrounding the entire house including an entrance coachhouse and a native restoration encompassing the entire property. The design was contemporary yet sympathetic to the historic nature of the house and site. In close collaboration with the homeowner the project has developed over the last several years and is still ongoing.

 

  

 

 

contact


312.371.2478
email RUDOLPH MAGNANI


Mum Modern Landscapes is a partner of Mum117, a boutique shop that selects objects-of-art in the form of home accessories, women's and children's clothing, fine art and books.