This couple needed a new patio as their old slate patio was too inaccessible for a wheelchair or walker. These smooth pavers from Techobloc create an easy surface for garden use. The original bricks from the border were carefully removed, cleaned and mortared to raise up the edges of the garden beds. The pavers go around a fresh concrete slab was poured to be the base for a wheelchair lift.
This newly constructed house required a complete landscape transformation to match. Built on a steep slope, retaining walls and stairs allow access all around the house. Native plants line the driveway and help retain the slopes. A curved patio creates a welcoming outdoor spot to sit around a firepit.
All walls were built from Melville Tandem Wall Modular Blocks in Rio, capped with Belgard Tandem Melville Wall Caps in Dark Charcoal. The landings and patio were paved with Techobloc Para units in Charcoal.
This West Seattle home went through a complete remodel, which resulted in the entire landscape being removed with the exception of a few Japanese maples. With a blank slate there were many possibilities in the design to add function and beauty. Back patios were built to expand the living space of the home and create a fantastic location for outdoor dining and enjoying the view. Below a new retaining wall filled with lush hydrangeas is a meadow with drifts of grasses and flowering herbaceous perennials. A carefully placed granite boulder provides a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the garden with grandchildren.
A small front patio next to the kitchen allows easy access to the grill and bin corral. The cedar bin corral hides the bins from view while still maintaining easy access. Gorgeous granite stepping stones lead to the front door and through the garden. A cedar lattice fence supports climbing hydrangeas and star jasmine to create a lush privacy barrier. The living driveway is a beautiful feature to be used occasionally to charge an electric car. Plantings of shrubs, ground covers, and perennials throughout will fill into lush garden spaces all around the house.
This was a project originally started by the clients’ son. We took it over to bring it to completion, matching the original natural stone choices and style to blend the areas seamlessly together. Stacked Silver Falls Andesite completed the defined garden beds, while Silver Strike quartzite pathways created access from multiple different points. The finished space creates a wonderful garden getaway in the backyard. The new irrigation system will keep the plants lush all year long.
After years of a garden gone wild, these clients wanted to create a usable outdoor space to host parties and enjoy the garden with privacy from new construction next door. An extensive bluestone patio, large enough for tables and chairs and more, steps right off the deck. It is surrounded by several large trees that will grow over and around it to create a natural backyard oasis. All of the garden is irrigated with drip irrigation which is time and water efficient. A new cedar fence lines the property, while a freshly build entry gate matches its old counterpart to welcome people into the space. The basalt bird bath rock creates a welcome spot to enjoy wildlife.
THE CHALLENGE
This client came to us looking for a solution to a swampy, clay lawn area in the shade, with the expressed interest in getting better use out of the area, addressing the drainage, and accommodating her children’s love for making s’mores. Our mission was to find a way to keep the soil from getting water logged while creating a unique space that brought life and movement to a small space.
TO DRAIN A SWAMP
At the low point in the yard, with no place to route drainage, we went for the responsible option; dealing with the excess water on site. We excavated a french drain in the center of the patio through three different clay strata until we hit a silty layer, allowing water to wick laterally. We also doubled up our typical gravel underlayment to average 8″ deep, and sloped the entire subgrade toward the drain. All plants were selected for the ability to thrive in waterlogged clay soil. No tilling was done to preserve soil microbiology, and heavy mulch layer was added to encourage long-term soil structure improvement.
The fire bowl kicks out 75,000 BTUs, and is adjustable. It can be set up for propane or natural gas and is very warm for a small fire. Certainly enough for s’mores and more!
This garden was designed in 3 hours by one of our master craftspeople, who also installed the project. Our company has extensive experience working with natural stone in many types of installations, and the creativity to go beyond the every day. With its unmatched versatility, and because each piece is unique, we can create something individual to you and your garden. Contact Us for a consultation today.
Our clients had a beautiful house with a barely used yard. They consulted a professional designer and came to us for the installation. The design featured interesting twists and turns, hideaways and quiet spots. It was all to be rendered in beautiful, natural stone and have a water feature as the centerpiece.
STONE AND WATER
We laid out the stone into winding trails, with a landing in front that houses the water feature. Our clients wanted a shady place to cool down, as well as a place to watch wildlife through the living room windows. We used Montana Flagstone, which has rich color variations throughout, for the pathways and parking strip. The water feature was crafted from columnar basalt stone from the Columbia River. The rest of the yard was carved into planting beds which will fill in over time as per the design.
THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Whether you entrust us to come up with ideas for your garden, or you hire a professional designer, we can make your vision come true. We partner with many designers in the region, each with different aesthetics and focus. If you’d like a referral or to collaborate on a project, Contact Us today.
THE CHALLENGE
Our client came to us in dire need of a rebuild for their once glorious terraced yard. The clients wanted the stone preserved, as it had been specifically chosen and had special meaning. The original wood used to build the terracing was rotting away, and the gate with its custom built arch had suffered severe water damage as well. The deck was rugged and splintered, with sections that needed to be replaced.
THE REBUILD
We were quite delicate with the demolition, as we wanted to ensure there wasn’t any erosion of the site. Everything was re-graded as needed to ensure proper water drainage. We preserved as much of the special stone as possible by chipping off the mortar. Some of the stone we were able to lay set in gravel, as is our usual method, but by client request we mortared portions of the stones in front and back. We brought in durable lumber and rebuilt the terraces section-by-section. The gate and arch were crafted by our own employee, over a weekend. He built them to match the original shape. The deck was stripped down, with any rotten wood removed and repaired. Everything was repainted and waterproofed.
With a combination of stone working, carpentry, masonry, and above all, respect for our client’s emotional connection to their land, we rebuilt this garden to last. If you have a garden in need of rehabilitation, don’t hesitate to Contact Us for a consultation.