A garden beckons in the distance.

The fanciful garden, designed by Laurie D. Olin of Olin Partnership, beckons the passer-by to "come in, look, explore."

Another garden full of coneflowers, white alliums and tall plume poppies beckons behind an iron gate covered with veronicastrum.

It's a shame that the 2nd floor of the residence is not open for viewing, though the 12 rooms on the ground floor are grand enough and the garden beckons visitors on nice days.

The garden beckoned her, dark and mysterious-as much as a neatly groomed walled lawn in the middle of a safe city neighborhood could be.