After 39 years in Chateau Elan, Melanie and Dan Panoz settled into their home on Allee Way just over four years ago. With deep roots in the community and a story that began across the Atlantic, their yard reflects a balance of natural beauty, personal meaning, and quiet joy.

Melanie, originally from Athlone, Ireland, met Dan when they were teenagers. After marrying in her hometown, they moved to Georgia and have called Braselton home ever since. Their journey brought them through Chateau Elan’s earliest days—Melanie even worked at the vineyard and winery—and eventually led them to a quieter corner of Oxley Village. It’s here that Melanie shaped their yard into a space that feels alive and reflective of her deep love for the natural world.

The Panoz’s yard is intentionally unstructured, embracing a natural flow rather than manicured precision. The previous homeowners had landscaping with beautiful pops of color with orange New Guinea Impatiens that they fell in love with and now replant every year. Rather than crisp borders or uniform rows, it features soft layers of yellow, orange, and pink blooms—each one carefully chosen to invite dragonflies, bees, and butterflies. Coneflowers, a cheerful favorite, pop up in multiple places, adding texture and movement to the space. Throughout the garden, you’ll also find Chocolate Chip Bugleweed, Golden Canna, Creeping Jenny, Azalea, Elephant Ear, and Yellow Daylily—each bringing its own unique color, height, or texture to the landscape.

A fun feature is the “Queen Rock,” a diamond-shaped stone brought in to anchor the design. Not placed in the center, it holds its place among the flowers, a personal symbol of Melanie’s role as “Queen” of the garden, Heidi declared. The yard isn’t sculpted or formal—it’s expressive and intuitive, meant to feel more like a living canvas than a landscape blueprint.

Lady Landscape helped bring this vision to life, installing the beds, rocks, boulders, and plantings with care and creativity. Melanie loves owner Heidi’s energy, passion, and gift for design. “Her work ethic is unreal. Her people are exemplary, and she truly takes people’s feelings into account.” That thoughtfulness is visible throughout the space, which Melanie says she loves so much, she often sits outside in awe.

Their two dogs, Bear and Lola, add even more life to the space. While Lola enjoys lounging in the garden’s shaded corners and chasing sunbeams, Bear can often be found chasing tennis balls across the yard—adding a playful energy that complements the garden’s relaxed, natural feel.

The Panoz’s yard is more than a beautiful outdoor space—it’s an extension of their story. It’s a reflection of where they’ve been and the peace they’ve created in this chapter of life. Whether admired during a walk through Oxley Village or enjoyed from their porch, it stands as a quiet celebration of color, nature, and the place they call home.