A Greenwich Village project borrowing from Willem de Kooning’s ‘Villa Borghese’ as a framework for planting design. The abstract, expressive nature and broad painted gestures of Villa Borghese, coupled with de Kooning’s deep connections to Greenwich Village give an immersive quality to the design of this small backyard space and help ground the site in its context. Stepped terraces of the garden allow light into the basement guest suite and are a subtle nod to the 1916 zoning resolution of the city, which sought to preserve the access of light and air for city streets by requiring roof setbacks, resulting in a characteristic stepped nature to the NYC skyline. Inspiration often comes from sources beyond planted communities, including architecture, interior design, art, history, and music.