Project Spotlight - Bown Crossing

                This Bown Crossing residence had a typical “builder special” landscape that did not match my client’s tastes.  My clients were looking for a more attractive curb appeal, a more naturalistic waterfall, more shade, an outdoor kitchen with dining area and an area for their hot tub. Our Client (which was referred to us by Sterling Landscape) wanted to see multiple options for their yard, so they could see the true potential.

 

Landscape Master Plan (2012)

Concept #1 – Key Points

·         New paver entry walk

·         The existing back yard patio would remain as-is

·         curved outdoor Kitchen with a bar area

·         The waterfall would stay in the same location as the existing waterfall, but larger boulder would be added

·         Flagstone patio and path

·         Sunken hot tub

·         Floating boulder slab steps

·         Rock lights

·         Hammock area

·         Evergreen forest for a woodsy feeling

 Concept #1

Concept #2 – Key Points

·         New paver entry walk, landing and landscape

·         New flagstone path along side yard to act as the entry to the garden

·         “L” shaped outdoor kitchen

·         Larger waterfall and stream along the NE side

·         Sunken dining area

·         Outdoor living room (deck -flush with threshold) with wood, stone and metal shade structure

·         Custom privacy screen for the sunken hot tub

Concept #2
 

Concept #3 – Key Points

·         Rectangular concrete stepping stone entry walk

·         Stone and Ipe accent fences

·         Multilevel deck-patio (concrete and decking)

·         Cantilevered shade structure

·         Small outdoor kitchen (no bar area)

·         Rill water feature

·         Artificial turf lawn area

·         Bocce ball court

·         Sunken hot tub

Concept #3

The client loved the initial concepts and the, construction y combined elements mostly from Concept #1&#2 – Although they were really attracted to concept  #3 they liked the relaxed  feeling of the more naturalistic concepts.  After we revised the concept we went on to construction documents, and we prepared the following drawings:

·         Materials Plan – to illustrate, note and detail all hardscape items like, pavers, paths, walls…..

·         Planting Plan – to illustrate all plant material proposed for the project

·         Conceptual Landscape Lighting Plan – to illustrate the overall landscape lighting effects

Now that all the drawings were done, it was time to get 3 bids.  We decided to get bids from Thad with Sterling Landscape, Tom with LCG landscape and Gary with Green lawn care. The Home owner reviewed the bids and decided to go with Sterling Landscape as the general with the main subs being Boon LLC (outdoor Kitchen and Shade Structure) and Afterdark Lighting (landscape Lighting).

The first step of construction was to demo the back patio and the majority of the existing landscape. The footings for the Alumawood shade structure were poured while the back yard was prepped for the multilevel Belgard Paver patio.
 

The grades were also set for the flagstone patio, paths and the floating stone slab steps. After the patios were installed (Belgard pavers and Flagstone) the frame for the outdoor kitchen was installed.

The disappearing waterfall was one of the last elements to go into the back yard before the plantings were installed. The disappearing waterfall was design to be seen from the multiple sitting areas. While the waterfall was being installed the curved outdoor kitchen was getting tricked out with DCS Grill, refrigeraotor, beverage center, side burning, storage and more --  Truly a chef's play area!!

 

To soften all the hardscape areas, plants were then added to bring year round color and texture into the yard. The finishing touch was the adjustment of the landscape lighting that included LED strip lights under the paver steps, accent lights on the waterfall, selected trees, shade structure and the residence.

As with all new installations, I recommend patience, as the beds will look rather open at first, but with time the plants will mature and the yard will grow up!  A special thanks to Sterling Landscape, Boon, LLC, AfterDark Lighting, and all the team members….for making this project looks so good!