A Brooklyn Backyard Set in Motion: Spiraled Brick, Steel Planters, and Urban Rhythm

For eight months, Erica Taggart and Cory Eicher’s Brooklyn Heights backyard obeyed Newton’s first law: a neglected space stays unused until acted upon. Landscape designers Sean Lewis and Jesse Terzi of New Eco Landscapes became that external force, transforming a 560‑square‑foot yard into a dynamic, dog‑friendly retreat that echoes the city around it.

Design That Borrows from the Borough

The yard sits amid classic NYC architecture. Instead of mimicking or turning away, Lewis pulled materials—brick, steel—from the surroundings but recombined them playfully. Spiraled reclaimed‑brick paving and abstract steel planters complement the home’s brick facade and metal staircase while drawing a clear line between old and new. Modern furniture anchors the design in the present.

Grand Gestures in a Small Footprint

“Grand gestures make a big impact on a small space,” Lewis says. The patio and retaining wall frame the yard; movable elements—furniture, pots—add flexibility. The brick spiral, inspired by a labyrinth the owners initially wanted, creates a meditative rhythm without consuming precious floor area. Reclaimed bricks on a sand‑gravel base over existing concrete pick up surrounding colors; occasional cobbles interrupt the spiral for visual interest.

Terraced Steel Planters: The Organizing Element

Lewis designed the terraced planter first; everything else fell into place. Steel posts set in concrete support welded sheets, creating a 3‑foot‑deep center that fans to 7 feet at the sides—maximizing planting while keeping the patio open. The planter edge aligns perfectly with the brick spiral.

Hardy, evergreen foliage handles the garden’s half‑year sun, half‑year shade: river rock and dwarf mondo grass in front; mulch and Japanese forest grass behind; rhododendrons, hostas, and ajuga at the rear.

Respecting the Neighborhood Fabric

A distressed stone wall abuts an old church. The owners didn’t want to hide it, but Lewis didn’t want it to dominate. As rhododendrons mature, they’ll form a canopy that softens without erasing the wall. Furniture—custom cedar table with steel base, red dining chairs—avoids style clashes. A refurbished cobblestone wall capped with bluestone becomes a seat wall; a new cedar fence with iron flourish nods to the church architecture. Uplighting and lanterns add night drama; potted plants soften corners.

Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: Erica Taggart and Cory Eicher
Location: Brooklyn Heights, New York City
Size: 560 sq ft (52 sq m)
Completed: June 2014