“Please make our deck and lower patio more pleasing so that we will want to use them and improve our overall curb appeal,” requested the Owners of this Slinger home. The house had some great assets to work with such as a tranquil rural setting, large backyard and quiet atmosphere. In contrast there were also some significant challenges such as large grade changes, no lower patio access from the deck, poor lighting for evening entertaining, unsightly septic tanks lids adjacent to the patio and undesirable lower patio deck posts in the middle of the patio. The design overcame the challenges and used the assets as inspiration.

The existing front entry sequence was quite unappealing, dominated by a concrete driveway and limited green space and a large Pine tree limiting visibility to the front door from the street. The first step was to remove the Pine tree then carefully saw cut and remove the existing concrete to provide opportunities for some dramatic foundation plantings to provide some relief from the expanse of pavement. Along the concrete edge a Brussels Block XL paver border course was incorporated to add flare and interest to the driveway. The planting beds feature low growing shrubs and perennials to ensure that visibility to the front door is not compromised. The result is a spectacular first impression.

The backyard deck and patio posed many interesting challenges. The primary challenge was to overcome a significant grade change and provide access from the upper deck to the patio below. The design successfully integrated a lannon park step staircase with landings that arced through the steep slope leading to the lower patio. To provide more usable space under the deck, two existing middle deck posts were removed and a larger beam was introduced to accommodate the increased load for the longer beam span. The existing lower patio was removed to permit the installation of a dramatic Brussels Block paver patio that luxuriously expands beyond the deck footprint above, allowing both sunny and shady seating areas. The improvements also included the removal of a failing timber retaining wall. To expand the usable patio space the timber wall was replaced with an arced segmental retaining wall that cut back into the slope allowing more sun to enter the lower patio.

The Owners essentially wanted the septic tank lids at the lower patio to go away. The patio was strategically designed to avoid the septic tank lids positioning them in the planting beds. The lids were then covered with aesthetically pleasing artificial stone covers that blend seamlessly into the remainder of the landscape. The plantings are massed for maximum impact and feature a variety of textures, colors, hues and forms to provide seasonal impact. The intent is to have something interesting occurring in the garden at all times of the year. The final touch included landscape lighting to accent the path and steps for safe pedestrian movement through the landscape, light washing on the retaining walls and strategic uplighting to accent interesting landscape architectural elements. Overall, the entire design for the front and back of this home exceeded the Owners expectations in design and delivery.

Landscape lighting allows the Owners to utilize their deck and patio after sunset for evening entertaining. Special emphasis is given to accenting the steps and patio to provide safe access through the space. Uplighting on trees enhances the beauty of the trees and defines the edges of the property. The landscape lighting creates an enhanced pleasant composition to the nightscape.
Landscape lighting allows the Owners to utilize their deck and patio after sunset for evening entertaining. Special emphasis is given to accenting the steps and patio to provide safe access through the space. Uplighting on trees enhances the beauty of the trees and defines the edges of the property. The landscape lighting creates an enhanced pleasant composition to the nightscape.
The lower patio has a very open feel and provides ample space for tables and chairs. The patio is flanked with retaining walls adorned with exquisite plants that add interesting color, texture and form to the gardens. A unique water fountain and hanging pots from the deck are the finishing touches to this exciting outdoor room.
The lower patio has a very open feel and provides ample space for tables and chairs. The patio is flanked with retaining walls adorned with exquisite plants that add interesting color, texture and form to the gardens. A unique water fountain and hanging pots from the deck are the finishing touches to this exciting outdoor room.
Before construction: The deck has two posts in the middle of the existing lower patio. The left hand side of the patio features a failing timber retaining wall that bears directly on the deck posts causing potential structural hazards. The plantings are limited and uninspired creating no sense of place. The ultimate design overcame these limitations.
Before construction: The deck has two posts in the middle of the existing lower patio. The left hand side of the patio features a failing timber retaining wall that bears directly on the deck posts causing potential structural hazards. The plantings are limited and uninspired creating no sense of place. The ultimate design overcame these limitations.
During Construction: The septic tank was exposed as a part of the excavation activities to reveal the subgrade. The two middle deck posts have been removed and a structural beam introduced to enlarge the usable lower patio space. The curved segmental block retaining walls are under construction. The aggregate base for the pavers has been thoroughly compacted to provide a solid paver base to ensure a long pavement life.
During Construction: The septic tank was exposed as a part of the excavation activities to reveal the subgrade. The two middle deck posts have been removed and a structural beam introduced to enlarge the usable lower patio space. The curved segmental block retaining walls are under construction. The aggregate base for the pavers has been thoroughly compacted to provide a solid paver base to ensure a long pavement life.
The outdoor entertaining area flows flawlessly from the deck to the lower patio. The lannon park steps blend naturally into the steep slope appearing as though they have been there for years. The water fountain serves as a visual focal point and transition from the steps to the lower patio. The artificial stone septic tank lid covers blend naturally into the landscape making the septic tank an asset rather than a liability.
The outdoor entertaining area flows flawlessly from the deck to the lower patio. The lannon park steps blend naturally into the steep slope appearing as though they have been there for years. The water fountain serves as a visual focal point and transition from the steps to the lower patio. The artificial stone septic tank lid covers blend naturally into the landscape making the septic tank an asset rather than a liability.
Before Construction: The deck stairs hug the building wall and unfortunately spill directly onto a gravel landing. The limited planting design is meager at best. The unsightly concrete masonry block foundation wall is completely exposed. Random stones in the planting beds look completely out of place.
Before Construction: The deck stairs hug the building wall and unfortunately spill directly onto a gravel landing. The limited planting design is meager at best. The unsightly concrete masonry block foundation wall is completely exposed. Random stones in the planting beds look completely out of place.
The deck stairs are relocated to the side of the deck to allow free flowing paths to the garage door or the lower patio. The deck steps lead you down to an elegant Brussels Block paver landing. Landscape lighting includes path lighting, built in retaining wall down lights at the lannon park steps, built in step lights at the deck steps, and uplighting into a Serviceberry tree. A segmental retaining wall and foundation plantings are introduced to cover the exposed foundation wall.
The deck stairs are relocated to the side of the deck to allow free flowing paths to the garage door or the lower patio. The deck steps lead you down to an elegant Brussels Block paver landing. Landscape lighting includes path lighting, built in retaining wall down lights at the lannon park steps, built in step lights at the deck steps, and uplighting into a Serviceberry tree. A segmental retaining wall and foundation plantings are introduced to cover the exposed foundation wall.
Before Construction: The existing driveway approach to the house is a sea of concrete abutting directly against the building wall. An existing Pine tree unfortunately blocks the visibility to the front door from the end of the driveway. The front yard landscape provides very little curb appeal. The proposed design addressed all these concerns.
Before Construction: The existing driveway approach to the house is a sea of concrete abutting directly against the building wall. An existing Pine tree unfortunately blocks the visibility to the front door from the end of the driveway. The front yard landscape provides very little curb appeal. The proposed design addressed all these concerns.
The improved landscape design provides significant curb appeal. The first step was to remove the existing Pine tree to improve visibility to the front door. In the foreground, a planting bed with a light pole, vibrant plantings and ornamental boulders extends into the yard to reduce the impact of the large concrete driveway from the street view. The planting bed is edged with lannon edger stone that lawn mower tires can drive on thereby reducing grass trimming.
The improved landscape design provides significant curb appeal. The first step was to remove the existing Pine tree to improve visibility to the front door. In the foreground, a planting bed with a light pole, vibrant plantings and ornamental boulders extends into the yard to reduce the impact of the large concrete driveway from the street view. The planting bed is edged with lannon edger stone that lawn mower tires can drive on thereby reducing grass trimming.
Before Construction: The existing concrete driveway abuts up to the building foundation allowing no room for hard surface relief. The concrete also abuts the front porch creating no sense of warmth. The area is extremely uninviting, desolate and in need of improvement.
Before Construction: The existing concrete driveway abuts up to the building foundation allowing no room for hard surface relief. The concrete also abuts the front porch creating no sense of warmth. The area is extremely uninviting, desolate and in need of improvement.
The improvements to the driveway entry area are dramatic. The existing concrete was saw cut to allow room for foundation plantings to enhance the entry area. The concrete is accented with a Brussels Block XL paver border course. Landscape path lighting amongst the ornamental plantings is incorporated to enhance driveway edge visibility and accent the house front entry.
The improvements to the driveway entry area are dramatic. The existing concrete was saw cut to allow room for foundation plantings to enhance the entry area. The concrete is accented with a Brussels Block XL paver border course. Landscape path lighting amongst the ornamental plantings is incorporated to enhance driveway edge visibility and accent the house front entry.
Nightscaping the lower patio with a warm glow allows the Owners to entertain at night or simply enjoy a pleasant view from the window. The landscape lighting includes a hidden light mounted under the deck joists to illuminate the patio from above permitting outdoor dining at night. Path lights frame and enclose the patio space. The face of the segmental retaining wall in the background is washed with a broad beam flood light.
Nightscaping the lower patio with a warm glow allows the Owners to entertain at night or simply enjoy a pleasant view from the window. The landscape lighting includes a hidden light mounted under the deck joists to illuminate the patio from above permitting outdoor dining at night. Path lights frame and enclose the patio space. The face of the segmental retaining wall in the background is washed with a broad beam flood light.
The transition from the steps to the lower patio is quite pleasant. The landscape includes yard ornaments and a unique water feature in the foreground. Many people are surprised to find out that the boulder in the foreground actually covers a septic tank lid. The planting design feature Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, Matrona Sedum, Daylilies and Froebel Spirea.
The transition from the steps to the lower patio is quite pleasant. The landscape includes yard ornaments and a unique water feature in the foreground. Many people are surprised to find out that the boulder in the foreground actually covers a septic tank lid. The planting design feature Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, Matrona Sedum, Daylilies and Froebel Spirea.
The landscape layout creates a connection between the deck and the patio. Planters are integrated in the deck railing to visually connect the deck environment to the main planting beds. To reduce maintenance, lannon edger stones were used to contain the planting beds thereby eliminating the need to trim the lawn at the bed edge. The overall composition of the landscape blends seamlessly with the remainder of the site.
The landscape layout creates a connection between the deck and the patio. Planters are integrated in the deck railing to visually connect the deck environment to the main planting beds. To reduce maintenance, lannon edger stones were used to contain the planting beds thereby eliminating the need to trim the lawn at the bed edge. The overall composition of the landscape blends seamlessly with the remainder of the site.