The narrow rectangle that serves as a “front lawn” to this stately, handsome home in New Orleans gives you a hint that free-thinking, creative minds have been at work here.

As you enter from the street and circle the armillary (slowing your pace so you are primed to take in the statement view)…

…you are poised to look over a collection of varying-size balled boxwood.

And then, the unexpected design reveals itself — cobblestones laid in a diagonal-to-the-street patchwork are “interrupted” by three large flat-pruned boxwood squares.

The finer details of the juxtaposed round and square elements become even clearer as you walk the length of the porch to the front door.

On the significant property to the side of the home, a grass rectangle cleaves the two sides of the garden — a nod to the amount of entertaining that takes place here. This is, after all, the town of Mardi Gras!

On the right side, a pool with subtle fountain sprays…

…on the left an open stone seating area that backs up to a clipped, geometric boxwood series of parterres that recall the front design.

Closer to the house itself, set perpendicular to the street, are mixed plantings to include repeated round shapes, this time of azaleas.

While softer plantings dress up the stone patio off the garden room.

In the far back corner, a traditional example of New Orleans architecture serves as a gracious guest house.

The fitting conclusion to this thought-provoking afternoon was to learn that it was New York interior design maestro, Billy Baldwin, who had decorated the home in the mid-twentieth century. His signature look, so well represented in the vignette in the curve of the entry hall’s stairwell, was equally as exciting as the garden to this long time fan of his.