Our client was undertaking renovations at El Lido, the historic home on the Lake Trail, when they contacted SMI for assistance in renovating the gardens. We found a very interestingly shaped house at the end of a quiet dead-end street. The half-hexagon shape of the front house made a first big impression, as this is not a common shape for houses in south Florida. Apart from that, however, the front court was unattractive and dominated by a sea of concrete paving. The façade nevertheless had great potential. As we emerged into the lakeside garden, we found ourselves in the shadow of an awesome giant kapok (Ceiba pentandra) on the edge of the property. We met with Jacqueline Albarran, a Palm Beach architect with whom we have worked with many times very successfully. With a clear vision for the property we began working on what would turnout to be a wonderful garden that accentuates the architecture and somewhat unusual shape of the house, as well as creating seamless connections between the interior rooms and adjacent garden spaces.