Clients Objectives for their Landscape:

Having just purchased the renovated home from a builder, there was very minimal outdoor user space for the owners and their 2 dogs. They desired privacy from the main road, an entertainment area to include a patio for dining, a gas firepit, a separate dog-run for their 2 dogs, additional fencing, and a deck renovation.

They wanted to be able to open the door and let the dogs run freely without worry of escape, a place to play and interact with their dogs and an area to entertain privately and have guests over without the dogs underfoot.

Main Features of the Landscape Project:  

A master plan was designed that included multiple areas:  a privately screened entertainment space with a large flagstone dining patio and an area with a gas firepit; a separate fenced artificial turf dog-run; extensive native and seasonal plantings for screening and seasonal interest; and lastly, landscape lighting highlighting pathways and plantings.

Special or Unusual Features:

The backyard space was designed solely for the humans. A large dining patio, separate firepit patio space and plenty of screening with native plants to provide privacy from the main road running along one side of the house created the ambience and function they desired. The flagstone patios and walls were accented with stone veneer matching the original stone the house and was a major focal point of the project.

The side yard was almost unusable but was the desired place for the artificial turf dog-run. A retaining wall was needed to level the space. Access for the dogs is through their own private door and is fenced in to keep them contained. It is entirely their space. The entire front yard, of natural turf, was fenced in to provide a safe space for the dogs to play and interact with the clients.

Major Challenges:

All the spaces had fairly steep slopes running away from the house requiring walls or support walls for the various areas. A retaining wall 3-5’ height was installed to level off the dog run. Low support walls were also used to support the two patio areas.

Project Timeline:

This entire renovation project was implemented over the course of one year. The clients and their dogs are enjoying spending time out-of-doors together and separately in their newly transformed landscape.