Black, Turquoise Garden and Outdoor Space Ideas and Designs
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UserClient wanted easy access when picking vegetables and herbs without bending over (back pain). Solution? Higher raised bed boxes. Jeanne Pendleton (Color, Form & Space) Larkspur, Ca.
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignIt started with vision. Then arrived fresh sight, seeing what was absent, seeing what was possible. Followed quickly by desire and creativity and know-how and communication and collaboration.
When the Ramsowers first called Exterior Worlds, all they had in mind was an outdoor fountain. About working with the Ramsowers, Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds says, “The Ramsowers had great vision. While they didn’t know exactly what they wanted, they did push us to create something special for them. I get inspired by my clients who are engaged and focused on design like they were. When you get that kind of inspiration and dialogue, you end up with a project like this one.”
For Exterior Worlds, our design process addressed two main features of the original space—the blank surface of the yard surrounded by looming architecture and plain fencing. With the yard, we dug out the center of it to create a one-foot drop in elevation in which to build a sunken pool. At one end, we installed a spa, lining it with a contrasting darker blue glass tile. Pedestals topped with urns anchor the pool and provide a place for spot color. Jets of water emerge from these pedestals. This moving water becomes a shield to block out urban noises and makes the scene lively. (And the children think it’s great fun to play in them.) On the side of the pool, another fountain, an illuminated basin built of limestone, brick and stainless steel, feeds the pool through three slots.
The pool is counterbalanced by a large plot of grass. What is inventive about this grassy area is its sub-structure. Before putting down the grass, we installed a French drain using grid pavers that pulls water away, an action that keeps the soil from compacting and the grass from suffocating. The entire sunken area is finished off with a border of ground cover that transitions the eye to the limestone walkway and the retaining wall, where we used the same reclaimed bricks found in architectural features of the house.
In the outer border along the fence line, we planted small trees that give the space scale and also hide some unsightly utility infrastructure. Boxwood and limestone gravel were embroidered into a parterre design to underscore the formal shape of the pool. Additionally, we planted a rose garden around the illuminated basin and a color garden for seasonal color at the far end of the yard across from the covered terrace.
To address the issue of the house’s prominence, we added a pergola to the main wing of the house. The pergola is made of solid aluminum, chosen for its durability, and painted black. The Ramsowers had used reclaimed ornamental iron around their front yard and so we replicated its pattern in the pergola’s design. “In making this design choice and also by using the reclaimed brick in the pool area, we wanted to honor the architecture of the house,” says Halper.
We continued the ornamental pattern by building an aluminum arbor and pool security fence along the covered terrace. The arbor’s supports gently curve out and away from the house. It, plus the pergola, extends the structural aspect of the house into the landscape. At the same time, it softens the hard edges of the house and unifies it with the yard. The softening effect is further enhanced by the wisteria vine that will eventually cover both the arbor and the pergola. From a practical standpoint, the pergola and arbor provide shade, especially when the vine becomes mature, a definite plus for the west-facing main house.
This newly-created space is an updated vision for a traditional garden that combines classic lines with the modern sensibility of innovative materials. The family is able to sit in the house or on the covered terrace and look out over the landscaping. To enjoy its pleasing form and practical function. To appreciate its cool, soothing palette, the blues of the water flowing into the greens of the garden with a judicious use of color. And accept its invitation to step out, step down, jump in, enjoy.
RetractableAwnings.com Inc.SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PROJECT
The customer requested a large 22 foot 11 inch wide x 14 foot, attached, 2 span (3 post) water proof retractable deck patio cover system with front water drainage. The plan was to have rain water drain through the invisible downspouts (inside the posts) and exit through a hole at the bottom of the posts. The entire system used one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides are made entirely of non-rusting aluminum which is powder coated using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Frame color chosen was our vendors proprietary Grigio Ferro. The stainless steel components used were Inox (470LI and 316) which are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance. In fact, the components meet the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy.
Fabric is Ferrari 302 Precontraint color Avorio P741, light filtering and opaque, a PVC fabric that is fire retardant and totally water-proof (not water-resistant). This retracting patio cover system has a Beaufort wind load rating Scale 10 (up to 63mph) with the fabric fully extended & in use.
A hood with end caps was also used to prevent rain water, leaves and debris from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. Purlin covers were requested to prevent rain water, leaves and debris from collecting in the space between the two sections of aluminum (purlins) running from the house to the front posts. Motor operated with remote control.
PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
The homeowners preferred a more modern design to their entire home. They are very active people and enjoy the outdoors (they both train as triathlete’s). Their desire was for the retractable patio cover system to provide shade on the desk that receives a great deal of afternoon sun. Prior to the installation, it got so hot, the client could not walk on the deck without shoes. Essentially, as much as they enjoy the outdoors, they did not use their deck. Again, with the modern design preference, a traditional roof structure was not their vision. They printed a retractable patio cover picture from Pinterest for the contractor. That was the start of the entire project. In addition to the upper area, they wanted to utilize the area below their deck, as well as create an area for their Jacuzzi Hot Tub. All this work was to be performed while keeping the overall design modern.
UNIQUENESS OR COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT
First and foremost was the initial design of the project. The contractor worked with the client for 11 months creating this living area using Chief Architect software. They created numerous different designs & elevations. They looked at every aspect of the design in great detail. For example, the slope of the retractable patio cover structure and if the retractable patio cover base plate would be above or below the transom windows on the house. They revised the width of the structure numerous times, which then affected the posts below with each design change. The width of the space was decided based on the clear span of the structure. There were multiple design options with the retractable patio cover & the contractor looked at each of those options. When ordering the retractable deck cover system, the contractor had to have it fabricated to a fraction of an inch because the cable railing posts where to be directly adjacent to the retractable deck cover posts. There was very little margin for error. Planning was essential!
The deck posts below needed to be replaced, this included new footings. The layout of the posts and the sizes of the posts needed to correspond to the supports of the patio cover structure. The posts for the rail system were designed to duplicate the posts of the retractable patio cover structure. The contractor created a method for draining the rain water from the posts of the retractable patio cover structure to the ground below.
PROJECT RESULTS
One extremely happy homeowner and proud contractor. Our company is honored to work with a client who allowed us to assist them in providing a retractable shading system to keep the homeowners deck cool. We are very proud to have been a part of this project.
This complex and time consuming project met every desire the clients had. After the project was complete, the homeowners told the contractor how excited and pleased they were with the space. That, to us, is what is so critical in our line of work. The comments related to how they enjoyed the entire process and are able to enjoy their lives even more now.
Greener Living Solutions IncStaggered Stained Cedar Panels provide privacy but a filtered view to the backyard in this contemporary landscape
Garden Tech Horticultural Services LLCA bird house is the focal point of these back yard gardens. The post height ensures plenty of room for tall perennials. The shed has attained a lovely patina including moss growth on the roof. Vintage watering cans on the side of the shed complete the garden theme.
Photo & design by Bob Trainor. Birdhouse by Walpole Outdoors
Lasley Brahaney Architecture + ConstructionThe Tuscan columns, bead board ceiling, and privacy screening, give this spacious porch a finished, stately look.
Paintbox GardenCabbages, kale, and other leafy greens in a formal parterre at the Montreal Botanic Garden.
Wagner HodgsonPool & Pool House
Stowe, Vermont
This mountain top residential site offers spectacular 180 degree views towards adjacent hillsides. The client desired to replace an existing pond with a pool and pool house to be used for both entertaining and family use. The open site is adjacent to the driveway to the north but offered spectacular mountain views to the south. The challenge was to provide privacy at the pool without obstructing the beautiful vista from the entry drive. Working closely with the architect we designed the pool and pool house as one modern element closely linked by proximity, detailing & geometry. In so doing, we used precise placement, careful choice of building & site materials, and minimalist planting. Existing trees were edited to open up selected views to the south. Rows of ornamental grasses provide architectural delineation of outdoor space. Understated stone steps in the lawn loosely connect the pool to the main house.
Architect: Michael Minadeo + Partners
Image Credit: Westphalen Photography
Envision Landscape StudioThis small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.
Shirley BovshowGarden makeovers by Shirley Bovshow in Los Angeles.This was formerly an abandoned narrow side yard used only to store trash cans. Now it is a favorite garden stroll area for the homeowner. See the complete makeover: http://edenmakersblog.com/?p=893
Photo and design by Shirley Bovshow
Verdance Landscape ArchitectureColumnar evergreens provide a rhythmic structure to the flowing bluestone entry walk that terminates in a fountain courtyard. A soothing palette of green and white plantings keeps the space feeling lush and cool. Photo credit: Verdance Fine Garden Design
Black, Turquoise Garden and Outdoor Space Ideas and Designs
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