Behind the Design: Bay Ave Plant Company Featured on the 2026 LBIF House Tour

Every August, Long Beach Island slows down just enough to let neighbors peek behind each other’s fences. That’s the spirit of the Annual LBIF House Tour, and this year, we’re proud to say one of our own projects made the cut.

At Bay Avenue Plant Company, we live here too. We know the streets, the salt air, and the neighbors who stop by to admire a freshly planted bed of grasses. So when the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences shared the news about how 1100B will be featured in this year’s LBIF House Tour, it felt like a natural fit: a chance to share a project we’re genuinely proud of with the community that inspired it.

What Is the LBIF House Tour?

The LBIF House Tour is one of the island’s longest-running traditions, celebrating its 60th year in 2026. Organized by the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, the tour opens the doors of six exceptional LBI homes for a single day, giving guests a rare, up-close look at the island’s best architecture, building, and design work. It’s also one of LBIF’s primary fundraisers, with proceeds supporting the Foundation’s year-round arts and science programming for the community.

This year’s tour takes place on Wednesday, August 5, from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Pre-sale tickets are $55, or $60 the day of the event. Guests check in at LBIF beginning at 9:30 AM for a wristband, map, and House Tour Book before heading out to explore the six featured properties. For those who want to go a step further, LBIF is also hosting an architectural panel discussion on Sunday, August 2, featuring a conversation between architect Sam Gordon and interior designer Diana Weinstein.

A Closer Look at 1100B

1100B is one of the properties on this year’s tour, and it’s a project close to our hearts. We worked closely with Sam on the outdoor design, aiming for something that felt as clean and considered as the home itself. The goal from the start was simple: let the architecture lead, and let the landscape support it rather than compete with it.

That kind of restraint takes a surprising amount of planning. Every material, plant, and line had to earn its place, and the result is a property that feels effortless to walk through, even though every detail was intentional.

Designing a Minimalist Coastal Landscape

A Restrained Plant Palette of Greens and Whites

Rather than layering in a wide variety of plantings, we kept the palette focused: greens and whites, chosen to feel light, airy, and distinctly coastal. This wasn’t about doing less. It was about choosing the right plants and letting them do the work, so the landscape reads as calm and cohesive rather than busy.

The Role of Ornamental Grasses in a Coastal Setting

Grasses are a natural fit for LBI, and at 1100B, they became one of the defining textures of the property. Their movement in the ocean breeze softens the home’s clean architectural lines, while their durability makes them well suited to the island’s salt air and sandy soil. It’s a detail that feels simple on the surface but does a lot of quiet work in tying the whole property together.

Hardscape Features That Define the Property

A Generously Sized Gunite Swimming Pool

At the center of the backyard sits a generously sized gunite pool, built to serve as the anchor of the outdoor space. Gunite construction allows for a custom shape and long-term durability, both important considerations for a coastal property.

Natural Limestone Patio in a Running Bond Pattern

Surrounding the pool, a patio of natural limestone slabs, each two feet by three feet, was laid in a running bond pattern. That pattern, paired with the scale of the slabs, reinforces the contemporary feel of the home and gives the outdoor space a sense of structure without feeling rigid. It’s the kind of hardscaping detail that photographs beautifully, but really shows its value when you’re standing on it.

Techo-Bloc Blu80 Pavers on the Driveway

For the driveway, we chose Techo-Bloc’s Blu80 paver in a beige cream tone, selected specifically to complement the neutral palette used throughout the rest of the property. It’s a small decision that makes a big difference. When every material shares the same tonal language, a property feels finished rather than assembled.

Softening the Edges: Cedar Fencing and Raised Planters

Cedar Fencing for a Natural Border

Cedar fencing wraps the perimeter of the property, softening its edges and giving the landscape a warmer, more organic border. Over time, cedar weathers beautifully in a coastal environment, aging in a way that only adds to the property’s character.

Raised Planters That Bring Life to the Foundation

Raised planters were built in around the foundation of the home, bringing structure and greenery right up to the windows and entry. Rather than treating the foundation as an afterthought, these planters make it feel like an extension of the landscape design, welcoming guests before they even reach the front door.

Why the LBIF House Tour Matters for LBI’s Design Community

The LBIF House Tour isn’t just a showcase of breathtaking homes. It’s a celebration of the architects, builders, and designers who shape the character of this island, and a reminder of how much local talent goes into the properties we pass every day. For us, being included alongside the island’s best is an honor, and it’s a chance to give back to a foundation that supports arts and science programming for the entire LBI community.

Come See It for Yourself

We’re proud to be part of this year’s LBIF House Tour, and we’d love for you to stop by 1100B on August 5th to see the landscape in person. If you’re dreaming up your own outdoor space, whether it’s a full renovation or a few thoughtful updates, we’d be glad to talk it through with you. We’re your neighbors on this island, and we’d be honored to help bring your vision to life the same way we did at 1100B. Reach out today to start the conversation.