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This before view shows the tired and dated front landscape complete with an overgrown Cherry tree, dull front facade of the home, and a typical, plain concrete walkway.
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Upon completion, the front facade was updated with a combination of stacked stone accents and window headers with natural stone keystones. An entire stacked stone wall replaced a portion of the brick facade. A paver walkway was designed with a front entry landing to provide a sense of entry as well as a grander entry to the home.
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The kitchen garden shown here was added at the end of the drive as a transition into the private backyard as well as providing interest out our client's kitchen window. Water is introduced into the garden via a 2-tiered fountain providing visual interest as well as a soothing sound.
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The transition from kitchen garden down into backyard grade transition is revealed. A ten foot grade change had to be dealt with sensitively since it was one of the main entrances to the new pool area. Wide steps make a gracious transition to the resort backyard. Due to the elevation that the septic tank & pump system was required to be set at, a ramp paver path down to the backyard was created.
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This before picture of the backyard shows the large, intimidating façade of the home and the limited outdoor living space. Providing scale to the home was critical in the client’s requirements.
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The play off the palladium window is evident as the outdoor living & entertaining areas are revealed with the spa reflecting the shape and scale of the window. Formal pots with drip irrigation punctuate the classic design of the pool. Note- the 2 story fireplace provides not only intimate entertaining spaces on the inside, but also provides scale to the outdoor pool area.
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This January 24th progress shot reflects the pool shell at steel reinforcing stage and terracing complete. With large, open site and two of the wettest winter months on record, completing this project for a May completion date proved challenging. In order to improve the poor drainage on site, an extensive PVC drainage system was installed to manage run off.
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Once complete, the scale and formality of the pool is shown as the lawn and boulder walls transition from a formal feel into the native and natural area. Travertine coping with tumbled pavers provide a warmth to the extensive pool deck areas and enhance the resort feel of the back yard.
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The design of the lower, intimate dining space provides a touch of European country elegance. The double sided fireplace provides warmth and a real ambience to the room.
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The outdoor grill, smoker, and kitchen area provides ample room to grill & cook for guests. Note the hanging coach lights that were added for evening ambience. Warming drawers, refrigerator, and storage are provided to accommodate entertaining large groups of guests.
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The upper living space off the kitchen provides a casual and cozy all-season respite for our clients. The fireplace, a/v system, ceiling fan, and can lights creates an outdoor room that can be used year round.
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The upper deck entertaining area allows for dining and cozy conversation areas. The custom railing was designed to allow views through but add a hint of French country detail that the client requested. The design of the railing also allows maximum views of the pool below. The Ipe deck is used to provide low maintenance & durability.
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This before view further reflects the sterile, out of scale environment. Our program was to not only create better use of the space, but to help scale down the brick on the imposing, plain façade of the house.
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With the large deck and fireplace revealed, a sense of scale has been provided, as well as adding a great deal of interest to the architecture. The stacked stone fireplace provides intimate deck spaces and helps provide interest to the brick facade. The many usable gathering spaces on the pool terrace are shown.
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What a place to relax & enjoy! The 3-tiered spa spills onto a sunning shelf which is repeated on the bubbler shelf. The pool allows for lap swimming and is designed to a 5'6" depth so volleyball can be played. Containers with color that is changed out a minimum of three times a year add a great deal of visual interest.
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The plan reflects the simple but bold front yard development, the kitchen garden transition to the back, and the pool and backyard development in a formal hardscape development that transitions into the natural surroundings. The plan also shows the amount of mature trees that were planted to create a privacy buffer from the neighbors.