Seasons Garden Design project - Bricks and Mortar

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BRICKS AND STONE

BEFORE the back yard before construction	THE DESIGN click on the quick preliminary sketch for a larger view; at the beginning of the project this back yard plan got us off on the right foot	AFTER across the back yard looking at the new patio, planters and cover. Cover designed by David Alt, Ninth Street Studio, Vancouver, WA.
the new water feature have stone wiers that provide just enough splash to quiet next door noise	MORE AFTER PHOTOS from the fire pit looking across the back garden another view across the lawn	The larger patio accommodates more seating, enough for all their friends! A cozy area outside the family room

BEFORE

Bricks and Stone, before
the back yard before construction

THE DESIGN

click on the quick preliminary sketch for a larger view; at the beginning of the project this back yard plan got us off on the right foot

AFTER

Bricks and Stone, after construction
across the back yard looking at the new patio, planters and cover. Cover designed by David Alt, Ninth Street Studio, Vancouver, WA.

Bricks and Stone, front of water feature
the new water feature have stone wiers that provide just enough splash to quiet next door noise

Bricks and Stone, side view of the water feature

MORE AFTER PHOTOS

Bricks and Stone, warm fire pit
from the fire pit looking across the back garden

Bricks and Stone, across the back lawn
another view across the lawn

Bricks and Stone, patio seating
The larger patio accommodates more seating, enough for all their friends!

Bricks and Stone, cozy patio
A cozy area outside the family room

ABOUT

The back yard was a small patio and lots of unhealthy grass.

The front garden needed a minor overhaul with the removal of some plants and addition of new ones to create a less-jumbled appearance.

The yard is a slightly larger than normal city lot.
The owners have 2 children and a small terrier that like to have activities in the back yard with their friends, including a trampoline.
The owner wanted to retain enough grass to play ball with his son.
The owner loves fall color and wanted more emphasis on that.
The owners love to grow some herbs and a few vegetables in the back yard.

PROJECT GOALS

create a back garden that is child friendly, including a trampoline space

create entertaining space for family and friends that includes a sound-modifying water feature and fire-pit

assure that the new design assimilates well with the existing home

include an area for a kitchen garden with herbs

include plenty of plants with autumn color

keep the existing arborvitae hedge

reduce the size of the lawn, but keep enough for a 'long throw' of a ball

provide an area for the owners' small terrier. (This was added later after the preliminary design.)

DESIGN CONCEPTS

After meeting with the client a rough sketch was developed to describe the ideas conveyed during the meeting. The client loved the sketch and it drove the design.
In the new design there is a water feature, a covered patio (design by ninth street studio), a firepit beneath the cover, permanent seating, space for furniture, raised planters, new lawn and planting beds, and spaces for trampoline, a garden bench, dog run and an art focal point.
Nearly complete, the back garden has its new patio and cover, including a fire pit and water feature. Plants are in place. New furniture, containers, and art focal point are scheduled for 2010.

In spring 2010, the front garden underwent a minor planting renovation New furniture was added to the front porch and in spring 2011, new containers will also be added.

Brick was the material of choice for the permanent seating and raised planters. It matches the brick at the front of the house. Stone complements the firepit and is the primary finish for the water feature.

PLANTS:
Important plants are weeping Alaskan cedar, paperbark maple, Autumn Brilliance serviceberry, dwarf boxwood, Red Sunset red maple, Natchez crepe myrtle, Euonymus 'Green Spire', hardy fuchsia, oakleaf hydrangea, Rosa 'Mutabilis', Miscanthus 'Morning Light', variegated red-twig dogwood, dwarf heavenly bamboo, and Ice Dance sedge.