Photos by Andrea Rugg
A blank slate. That’s how Allen Sommerfeld describes the backyard of the New Hope rambler he and his husband, Max Wojtanowicz, bought in 2018, the year they married. Spacious and flat with lots of grass and a large maple tree, the yard was ripe with possibilities and ideal for Sommerfeld, a landscape enthusiast who would eventually become a master gardener through the University of Minnesota Extension program. The couple were looking forward to hosting friends and family and knew the yard could be an inviting extension of their smallish midcentury home, but they decided not to rush into it. “The first summer, I just observed how the sun and shade moved through the yard to figure out which areas would be ideal for plants and activities,” Sommerfeld says. During the winter, he came up with a plan, and once the snow melted, the couple went to work on a series of projects to bring his outdoor vision to life.
As farm kids, Sommerfeld and Wojtanowicz possessed the kind of can-do spirit that’s often abundant at the start of a big project but usually dwindles during the later stages when DIYers start thinking they should’ve hired it out. That wasn’t the case here. Instead, the couple persevered, teaching themselves how to build a cedar deck, pergola, and outdoor kitchen. Wojtanowicz says, “[We watched] a lot of YouTube videos and [made] a lot of trips to Home Depot.”
Sommerfeld’s design leaned into what he learned during his summer of observation. For example, he decided to place the deck, pergola, and kitchen away from the house (instead of attached) so it could be immersed in nature and take advantage of the dappled shade from the maple tree. “You feel like you’re among the plants,” Wojtanowicz says. Another benefit is that the separation makes the entire area feel like its own destination. Twinkling cafe lights strung from the pergola enhance the charm, strengthen the sense of enclosure, and provide just enough light when the sun goes down. Meanwhile, tall planters with cheerful annuals add color and height.
While the couple tackled many aspects of the landscape design themselves, they did pay a professional to pour the sidewalks and concrete pad under the outdoor kitchen. “We knew our limits,” Sommerfeld explains. The cooking area is at ground level, and the deck is slightly higher on a platform. Connecting the spaces is a two-tier countertop with bar seating on one side and counter space for mixology and cooking on the other. With entertaining in mind, the kitchen is well-equipped with an extra-large gas grill; integrated ice chest with a drain door; and storage for grill utensils, hot pads, citronella candles, and s’mores sticks for the fire pit on the opposite side of the yard. A Target table with seating for six anchors the dining area, while an orange conical fireplace Sommerfeld found on Facebook Marketplace befits the home’s midcentury era and provides a playful pop of color. Feathery Japanese Hakone grass—a chartreuse perennial that loves shade—borders the deck.
One can see why the couple’s yard has become the go-to spot for summer birthday celebrations and gatherings of friends—some of whom pitched in when the couple needed an extra set of hands. The city of New Hope thinks the yard is pretty great, too, awarding the couple a 2022 RAVE! Award for Outstanding Exterior Remodel & Landscaping after being nominated by a neighbor. “This was a passion project we did for our enjoyment, [but] it’s special to have our neighbors and city acknowledge that work,” Sommerfeld says. An inscribed stone commemorating the honor is perched on a pedestal in the garden, where the pair spends a lot of time. Sommerfeld adds, “Anytime it’s nice outside, you’ll probably find us on the deck.”
Hosta Vistas
Hostas are the MVPs of Sommerfeld’s garden—he is a superfan. “In a shade garden, you need to play up leaf color and texture because you won’t have the grandiose colors you get from flowers. There are hundreds of unique hosta varieties,” he enthuses. Large blue types and minis—diminutive versions of the big guys (with adorable names)—are among his favorites.
Minis
Blue Mouse Ears—Tiny mounds of rubbery-looking gray-green/blue-green leaves with lavender, bell-shaped flowers
Munchin Fire—A compact perennial with narrow, lance-shaped leaves in a bright, almost yellow-green hue
School Mouse—Thick, ruffled leaves with blue-green centers, yellow margins, and purple flowers
Standards
Blue Angel—Gigantic heart-shaped, blue-green leaves with pale lavender flowers
Diamond Lake—Heart-shaped corrugated blue leaves with curly edges and pale lavender flowers
Wishing Well—Large, deeply cupped, rippled blue leaves with white flowers
