private Residence

Client Needs

Create a usable outdoor space. Focus of the space to be for small evening gatherings. Add stability to the rear slope of the property. Prefer a water feature. Driveway pavers desired.

tellUs Project Proposal

The slope of the rear property beckoned to be divided into a stepped landscape. Providing reinforced changes of grade slowed water runoff as well as alleviated the issue of access to the rear of the property. One of the proposed outcomes was to create a pleasant view from both the existing screened in patio and another from the proposed bottom paver patio.  To visually and audibly enhance the grade change a runnel was added. This also spoke to the client’s desire to have a water feature. A bubbler fountain pot was included at the top basin of the runnel to aid in mimicking the sound of a soothing running brook which is heard from both seating areas. Lighting was focused on the runnel, pathway lighting and spotlighting on both the wired trellis and evergreens along the solid fence. This further enhanced the enjoyment and safety of the use of the space in the evening.

Plantings were located along the runnel to perpetuate the longitudinal axis, to soften the edges of hardscapes, and assure areas of permeability remained. A wire trellis attached to the solid fencing at the terminus of the view shed from the upper patio allows vines to fill the air with the smell of jasmine in the summer months. In order to harmonize the tempo of planting style in the front yard, areas of formal repetition of ever greens were mixed with more floral and free flowing areas with a small lawn.

The front of the residence, reminiscent of the modern French country style, led to the use of semi-formal hedging and plantings around the base of the footprint of the home. Looser landscaped areas around the perimeter of the property edges were filled in with shade tolerant species to maintain a mild forest floor feeling. To formalize and modernize the driveway long linear pavers were chosen. In turn this expelled the drainage issues which were washing away the existing aggregate driveway.

The Finished Product

Keeping in context with the local area a shellstone paver was chosen for the hardscape portions of the backyard. The runnel was custom designed, thus reinforced poured in place concrete provided the base structure while a darker shellstone was chosen to offset the lighter toned pavers. The dark pavers used for the driveway were chosen to accentuate the black trims against the white of the house and help keep stains from surrounding oak trees at bay.