Taming the Wild Things

Last week we took a look at a courtyard project where the old plantings had pretty much gone wild.  In meeting with the client to discuss their program, these were the goals we came up with:

1.) Remove the Tiki hut
2.) Create a new, larger partially shaded area
3.) Remove and simplify the plantings
4.) Create larger, clean space for entertaining
5.) Provide area for grilling
6.) Provide space for kitchen garden
7.) Provide space to potty dog
8.) Tie into existing paving in side yard area

A plan was devised that incorporates mostly paving, with simple, symmetrical planting spaces along the side.  A new pergola structure was designed that spans one end of the courtyard from the house to the apartment behind.  Raised planters were placed at one end of the courtyard which would add to the European feel.  Here is the proposed plan.

The very next day, these go-getter homeowners started the arduous task of tearing out brick and concrete walkways, metal railings and plantings.  It was a bear, but necessary to start laying out the plan.  We'll look at more of the process in the coming weeks!

Where the Wild Things Go!

Over the past year, we've had the great pleasure of working with a client on several projects in their home.  What started out as a consultation on ideas to treat a fireplace wall developed into a complete refurbishing of the living room, followed by the dining room, and a kitchen overhaul.  We were recently invited back to assist with an outdoor project.

Their Spanish bungalow has a small open area behind that connects to a separate apartment.  This area--which included a small palm covered tiki pavilion--had become a little wild, as you can see from these photographs.

Overgrown beds and mismatched hardscape materials have all but rendered the space unusable.  Their goal was to turn the space back into a useful area for entertaining that would also be easy to maintain.  Next week we'll take a look at the design solutions, and start watching the project come to life!

The Wrap Up

I promised pictures of this recently completed landscape project, but first, let's take a trip back in time to what the space looked like before we started!

A little wild, slightly unsafe, and very, very wet!  Now here is the project complete.

Properly graded, an ample paved step-out area from the screened-enclosure, a large area at the bottom of the steps to accommodate a portable fire pit, or trampoline, and a planting of all Florida native plants that will create a visual block between this property and the neighbors, but will be virtually maintenance free once established.  And the fact that they are native plants ties this project sweetly into the natural preserve area beyond.  But my favorite part of all...the red pergola!

We've had lots of rain since the installation, and all the water is draining properly through the installed underground piping to the drain box in the preserve area.  This was an unusual project requiring some pretty specialized solutions, but one that resulted in great rewards....for the client and for us as designers!

Nearing Completion

A couple of weeks ago, we saw the preliminary phases of a landscape project we're following.  Grading was completed, and block steps were being formed.  At the same time, our structure is under construction.  This structure is what I would refer to as a trellis or arbor.  Though it has the appearance of a pergola, there really isn't enough depth to consider it a useful "shelter".  Its function is basically to block the view of the neighboring property.

We tend to recommend an opaque stain finish on our outdoor wood structures.  Unstained wood can look awfully raw in many settings.  We looked at and discussed many stain color options, and were having a hard time landing on a choice.  I casually mentioned that I'd always wanted to do a red pergola.  The client sort of laughed off the idea, but much to my surprise, when I made my next site visit, the pergola was being stained red.  Fun!!

Here's the next steps happening simultaneously.

Further progress on the steps:

 

 Red arbor under construction:

Surface of steps being formed, and plants arrive for placement.

When the plants arrive, you can bet we're getting close to completion.  Next week we'll take a look at the finished project!

Stepping It Up

In the outdoor project we've been following, we've watched as the area has been cleared, fill dirt has been brought in and graded, and now we're ready to start forming the steps that will lead from the pool area down to the nature area behind the house.

Laying out steps like this takes time and considerable expertise.  First, the amount of "drop" is determined, which will dictate how many steps will be used.  There is a fair amount of variation on the supposed standard measurements required for risers and steps.  But generally, what's most important is that the steps are consistent.  In this instance, the steps were intentionally fashioned in different sizes to give them the appearance that they were casually placed into the wild landscape.  Regardless, the formation of the steps took a lot of time!

The steps are being formed with stacking blocks.  These will also be used for the retaining wall at the top of the step area.

Once all of that is in place, these coordinating pavers will be used to form the treads of the steps, and the step-out patio area at the top.  Slow work, but it's going to look great.  More next week!

Making the Grade

Last week we took a look at some "before" images of a landscape project we had started. The largest single issue with this project was drainage.  Lots of water converges at this corner of the house and pool deck, from 3 gutters, a channel drain in the deck and overflow runoff from the roof.  After several years, it had created rivulets and what basically amounted to a mud pit, flowing down to a wild bog.

We worked closely with Argentine Landscaping to come up with a comprehensive drainage plan before any actual work was begun.  This plan would channel each gutter downspout and the pool deck channel drain into their own underground drain pipes.  These pipes would all channel into a 6" PVC pipe that will carry the water down the slope and come up into a box drain in the boggy area.  Additionally, a channel drain will wrap around the new outdoor paved landing to insure that any water that might collect at this area will also be channeled into the 6" drain pipe, and not wash out the hill.

Once all the plans are in place, two truckloads of fill and top soil are brought in to regrade the area.  It's amazing how much better it looks already!

 

But even this work comes at a price.  Heavy equipment was necessary to move this much soil efficiently, but this work was begun right after a big rainstorm.  Muddy ground and a large backhoe are not a good recipe for a lawn!

But this can all be corrected at the end of the project.  Next week, the fun parts of the project begin!

Nature and Chaos

When a new home borders a nature preserve area, the residents generally appreciate the view and the privacy that this brings.  But often, the building process has disturbed the natural ground plane to some degree.  In the case of this project, the home was built about 5 feet above a natural semi-bog area.  At the back corner of the house where the pool cage exits to the yard, the ground was never graded properly, and the soil constantly washed out.  This was exacerbated by the fact that several gutters and pool deck drains convened at this exact corner, and during heavy rains everything would wash right down the hill.

We took a quick look at these grounds last year. Here's a reminder.

The area had become a wilderness, and was somewhat hazardous to walk out into due to the uneven ground and rivulets created by improperly routed drain water.

The project was about a year in the design phase.  A fire pit was part of the original design that the homeowners decided wouldn't be used often, so the design was altered accordingly.  And certain elements were refined to make them more budget-friendly.  But the project has been completed now, and the results are exciting.  We think we were able to create something that is fun, while appropriate to the site.  We'll watch the progress over the next few weeks.  Hope you'll enjoy it along with us!