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The Setting: A courtyard situated amongst a half-acre yard and surrounded by an organic design of native plants
The Structure: A 180-square-foot window-wrapped pool house (painted Pure White by Sherwin-Williams) that also holds a mini-gym and cold plunge
After a decade of living in Los Angeles, designer Emily Henderson and her husband, Brian, shared a yearning for green space. Having both spent time in Oregon (she’s a native), the couple knew they wanted to someday move back to the state to raise their son, Charlie (10), and daughter, Elliot (8), but Emily dreamt of a life in the calm country and Brian wanted the culture of a city. The compromise: a 2 1/2-acre farmette located in Southwest Portland.
While the property’s 1910 farmhouse had ample makeover potential (follow the progress on Emily’s blog), it was the half-acre tree-lined backyard that sealed the deal. Working with landscape architect Cali Pfaff, they reclaimed the neglected plot, creating an organic, natural gardenscape that feels right at home with the rest of the property. “It’s unbelievably dreamy—everything I was hoping to find and create,” says Emily. A fenced-in courtyard is the focus of the newly designed yard, with a vegetable garden, fire pit, and right-sized plunge pool for family fun time. “We moved back to Oregon for the nature and the space, and we are spoiled with both. I feel such peace and calm here, even when—especially when—the kids are playing [and splashing] loudly,” says Emily.
Splash Pad
To reserve yard space, Emily opted for a 5-foot- deep, 7- by 13-foot plunge pool by Soake Pools that functions like a cool pool in the summer and a hot tub in the winter. “It’s the best thing we’ve ever done,” says Emily. At the end of the blue flag- stone surround, a pair of Adirondacks flanks one of several playful fringed umbrellas. “You crank them open, and it’s immediately resort season!”
Garden Greens
“Once you have freshly picked lettuce for your salads, it’s hard to go back,” says Emily of the three white cedar raised garden beds planted with various greens, herbs, and tomatoes. Pea gravel casually surrounds them all—“I love the sound of it below your feet,” says Emily—and a split rail fence encircles the entire courtyard area, adding to the rustic farm feel. Non-fruit-bearing cherry trees and ornamental grasses are just beyond.
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Leaders of the Pack
“Brian was very passionate about getting livestock,” says Emily of the family’s two rescue huskypoos, two Kunekune pigs, and a trio of alpacas, Bert, Otis, and Milo. “They have the most hilarious personalities and make us laugh every single day,” she says. Housed out back next to an enclosed paddock and little barn, Elliot and Charlie love visiting and feeding them before and after school.
The Out Back Q&A
Grab a glass of rosé and dip your toes in the pool with Emily Henderson as she talks about screen-free family time spent hanging in the backyard.
Backyard Bliss: The courtyard that houses the pool, veggie garden, and mini-gym is an absolute dream and pulls me outside even on the rainiest days. The picnic table underneath the huge oak tree is so dreamy.
Golden Hour: We just hung some string lights along the fence line, so around 4 or 5 p.m. the whole yard glows, and it feels like we should throw a party every night.
Backyard Beverage: Dare I say “rosé all day?”
Pool Provisions: We got our floaties from Amazon. For towels, I love Business & Pleasure and Supergoop! for sunscreen.
Afternoon Escape: Trees, shade, and somewhere to throw a blanket for midday reading sessions
Earliest Garden Memory: I grew up with a massive veggie garden (while I’m sure it wasn’t, it felt like the size of a football stadium to me) and I remember picking all summer. I feel like it’s a solid parenting move to now get Elliot and Charlie involved in growing what they eat and seeing how much care it takes.
Go-To Gardening Uniform: I’m a cutoff shorts and blousy top gal. I wear Bogs during winter and Crocs in the summer. I love the basic straw hats with adjustable straps that you can buy at hardware stores.
Petal Preferences: I’ve rarely seen a flower in the wild that I haven’t loved. I’m very drawn to anything that grows naturally. I had Queen Anne’s lace and garden roses at my wedding.
Gardening Mantra: It’s Oregon, the land of six months of rain, followed by six months of sun—let’s plant stuff and just let it grow!
Stephanie Gibson Lepore is the Copy/Research Editor of Country Living. She enjoys writing about a range of topics and making sure the facts are accurate. When she's not checking out the latest Instagram post from Merriam-Webster, you can find her hunting home decor at an antiques shop, reading WWII fiction in a sunny spot, cheering (loudly) for her football team, or planning her daughter's next birthday party (themes forever!).
