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Summer is winding down and fall is around the corner. We
have been very busy here at Breckon Land Design, so here is a quick highlight
of some exciting new news:
·New Project Updates – I have had the pleasure to
visit some of my past projects and take some new after pictures... I have
posted some of those Pictures on Houzz – why not check them out!!
·Real-time 3D animations – we are very excited to
announce that we have a new program that will bring residential and commercial
projects to life. Materials will have realistic surfaces, mirrors will work,
Lighting effects as night with real reflections, water will move, branches and leaves will sway in the wind, cars will move,
birds will fly and more……. We just upgrade our computers to run this-so stay tuned for more information, or
contact us to see how we can bring your residential or commercial project to
life. To see some examples of this software in action – click here!
In our summer Issue we are going to
talk about one of my favorite late summer plants – Black Eyed Susan!In our project spot light we will review the Bown
Crossing Residence, which details an extensive landscape installation. In our
Contractor Spotlight we will highlight a local landscape Lighting Company – AfterDark!
I hope you sit back and enjoy the Summer
issue of “Sense of Place”.
AfterDark Lighting has been a
Valley staple since 1994. Specializing in residential and commercial Landscape Lighting,
Afterdark has set itself apart from the rest with unparalleled customer service,
quality, design and installation.Scott
with AfterDark has installed several of my projects over the years and he has
always done a stellar job of combining aesthetics and budget into a lighting
installation that will be the talk of the neighborhood.
AfterDark has won several awards
for their Lighting design and installations and they are my “go to” contractor
for everything about landscape lighting. They can design and install low
voltage or 120-volt system to meet your residential or commercial lighting
needs.
If you
need help installing, maintaining or enhancing your landscape lighting, why not
give Scott with AfterDark Lighting a call today to see what they can do for
you!!!
Black
Eyed Susan or - Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ is one of my
favorite summer perennials for bright flower color. The leaves of Black Eyed
Susan are a dark green, then in the heat of summer, when everything else seems
to tucker out – Black Eyed Susan’s come to life with an explosion of bright
golden yellow flowers. The flowers attract butterflies and won the 1999
Perennial of the Year!!. This is a low maintenance perennial that loves heat
and the sun and will get approximately 2’ high by 2’ wide.
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 – Although they were really
attracted to concept#3 they liked the
relaxedfeeling 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!
I hope you enjoyed our 2013 Summer
Newsletter. I would like to thank our partners for their help to make this
newsletter possible.Please visit their
web sites to review their products and services. Thanks!!
I hope you enjoyed our 2013 Spring
Newsletter. I would like to thank our partners for their help to make this
newsletter possible.Please visit their
web sites to review their products and services. Thanks!!
This
Somerset Ridge residence had a typical “builder special” landscape that did not
match my client’s tastes. My clients we
looking for a more attractive curb appeal, better circulation to the back yard,
additional patio area, shade, more
usable lawn area, an outdoor kitchen with dining area and a fire pit with views
of downtown Boise. Our Client (which was referred to us by Everything Outdoors)
did not want to see multiple options for their yard; they were more interested
in seeing in what I thought would look best.
back yard - before
Front/side yard - before (no access to the back yard)
Landscape
Master Plan (2012)
Concept #1 – Key Points
·Stone slab steps and path to provide access
from the front door to the back yard.
·Disappearing waterfall with stone slab
bridge to add sound and interest by the front door.
·New stairway from the existing deck to the
new lower patio area.
·Cantilevered and curved Ipe and steel shade
structure
·Outdoor Kitchen
·Larger patio area
·Larger usable lawn area with boulder walls
·Gas fire pit with views of Downtown Boise
·Irrigated meadow grass hillside to provide
a firebreak from the existing native dryland grasses
Fly thru of our concept plan
The client loved the initial concept and we went on to our next
step, construction documents.
·Erosion and Sediment Control Plan – For the
City of Boise Foothills Application
·Grading and Drainage Plan – For the City of
Boise Foothills Application
·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
Now that all the drawings were done
and approved by the City, it was time to start construction.Andy Peterson with Level Construction was the
General for the project while Anthony Jobe with Everything Outdoor was the
landscape contractor.
The first step of construction was to
construct an access ramp to the back yard. Access was defiantly challenging for
this project. The next step was to demo the existing landscape.
access ramp
access ramp
The large Boulder walls (all under
4’ high) were then added to level the site and set our grades. The next step
was then to add the new stairway, railing and cantilevered shade structure. The
rest of the Hardscape items were then installed (outdoor Kitchen, raised
planters, gas fire pit and pavers) with the plantings to follow.
Boulder wall with steps
New shade structure and deck stairs and railing
The frame work for the curved Ipe Shade Stucture
The very last step was to work out
of the back yard and created the stone staircase, boulder steps with bridge and
the disappearing waterfall by the front door.
waterfall
waterfall
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 Level Construction and
Everything Outdoors, for making this project looks so good!
waterfall and boulder steps and bridge to the back yard
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