This Trounter Way residence had a typical “builder special” landscape that did not make a statement. My clients were looking for more additional patio area, some shade in the back yard and the front yard was in dire need, to make a statement. We initially came up with 4 concept plans for the yard.
Landscape Master Plan (2009)
Concept #1 – Key Points
• A stone and wrought iron fence along the front of the lot with new wrought iron pedestrian gate
• New paver entry walk, landing and entry patio
• No lawn front yard
• Mulch path along side yard
• Spiral staircase off existing deck
• New paver patio under deck
• Raised beds
Concept #2 – Key Points
• A stone pillar and wrought iron fence along the front of the lot.
• No lawn front
• Basalt columns with stone slab benches to add interest ad additional sitting areas
• New entry walk, landing and entry patio
• Mulch path along side yard
• New staircase down from existing deck
• New paver patio in back yard
• Freestanding shade structure
• Raised
Concept #3 – Key Points
• Wrought Iron fence along front of lot
• New landing, entry walk and entry patio
• Meandering side yard path with evergreen trees, stone slab steps and lush plantings
• Large back yard patio with shade structure
• Raised garden beds
Concept #4 – Key Points
• keep existing concrete entry walk and landing
• add small front entry patio
• large back paver patio with freestanding shade structure
• raised garden beds
After presenting the 4 concepts to our client, they gravitated towards concept #3, but they also like elements from the other concepts. The final concept was designed and approved
Final Concept– Key Points
• We used concept #3 as our base
• From Concept #4 we added the raised beds against the house
• From Concept #4 we took the smaller freestanding shade structure
The client loved the final concept and we went on to our next step, construction documents.
• Materials Plan – to illustrate, note and detail all hardscape items like, composite deck, paver patio, shade structure, vertical screen fence, raised beds…..
• Planting Plan – to illustrate all plant material proposed for the project
• Irrigation Plan – To illustrate the proposed irrigation system
Now that all the drawing was done, it was time to get bids from Franz Witte Landscape and Sterling Landscape. After reviewing the bids, the client decided to go with Sterling Landscape.
The first step of construction was to remove the old existing decking and install the drainage system under the new 2-tone Trex deck to make the lower patio nice and dry. The existing stairs were removed and the new decking was added.
The large concrete patio was then removed to make way for the multi level Abbotsford Hydropressed slab paver patio. The new staircase to the upper deck was then framed up. The concrete footings were then installed for the CMU walls for the back yard. Concrete was then poured for the base of the back yard steps as transition between the multiple level patios. The T&G roof was then installed under the upper deck to give the lower patio a finished feeling.
A small keystone landscape wall was installed to make the back yard level – this wall would not be seen from any of the patio areas, so a less expensive material was chosen for this wall. The posts for the shade structure here installed and the base for all the backyard patio areas were prepped. Plants were then installed while we still had access to the back yard.
The 2-tone deck was then finished with new railing, and the raised garden beds were installed with their own drip system. The Abbotsford pavers (in 3 sizes and 2 colors) were then installed for all the back yard patio areas. Cultured stone was then added to the face of the CMU walls and the concrete steps – the stone matched the stone on the front of the residence.
With the back yard almost complete, the front and side yards became the focus. Large sandstone slab step and boulders were then installed along the side yard to make the entrance to the back yard more of a statement. CMU walls were then installed for the front entry courtyard/patio. Concrete was then poured for the base of the front yard steps and landing to act as a transition between the landing and lower patio. Pavers were then installed for the main patio. Cultured stone was then added to the front walls with stone that matches the residence. Plants were then brought in to finish off the front yard.
After....
Here is a sneak peek at the project we will highlight in our Summer issue …..
