Outdoor Living
A Room with a View
A Little Rock family benefits from thoughtful planning and interesting design in their backyard
BY
Sharon Mosley
PHOTOGRAPHY
Janet Warlick & Larry Pennington

When Janell and Clark Mason speak about the backyard of their home on Sunset Circle, they focus on their incredible view. “We refer to our view of the yard and the river as the best piece of art in our collection,” Janell says. But the vista has not always been so sunny. When the Masons bought the property in 2004, the backyard was completely redesigned by Doug McCall of McCall’s Landscaping.

“Doug sketched his vision for the grounds, and we continue to be delighted with the results of his creative process,” Janell says. “Even before the house was in the framing stage, he was able to envision what the landscaping would look like from not only eye level, but from as high above as our upper level great room and terraces.” Janell recalls that Doug literally moved dirt for weeks, making the steep slope of the yard much more useable.  “He carved out the different pools, and then the rock artists worked their magic, building falls, sets of steps, seating areas, a bridge and dining areas, followed by lighting, all under Doug’s guidance.”

The Masons’ two sons planted the flower gardens, taking into account that winter jasmine and butterfly bushes are two of Janell’s favorite plants. “On several occasions we’ve opened our front door and smelled the jasmine all the way from the back,” she says. The lush butterfly bushes with their brilliant blooms in the summer attract a wide range of butterflies. “It’s such a treat to walk through the yard and see hundreds of colorful wings fluttering,” she says. “I love photographing them.”

The Masons’ sons also stocked three ponds with twenty small goldfish, which have grown to over five inches long in just a year. The family also loves to watch the deer romp in the yard. “I’m a city girl, so deer are very intriguing to me,” Janell says. “This year we had a group of eight, which included three fawns, and it was hilarious to watch them run around the lowest pond and play chase.”

The Masons also love to entertain outdoors. “When it warms up, we head outside to grill and enjoy the view of the Arkansas River,” Janell says. “Our friends also enjoy wandering through the gardens, and we’ve had a few people ask to have their engagement and bridal portraits taken here.” One of the Masons’ favorite spots is the cabana, which is near the top waterfall.  “Last year we hosted a fundraiser—dinner for over 300 people—we had so many tables that we ran out of room on the pool terrace and placed several tables in the back yard at different levels.  It was much more functional than I imagined.”