Contemporary Garden Ideas and Designs
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BC Greenhouse Builders LtdOur Cross Country Cape Cod 12x16 Double Glass greenhouse. Raised on a 24" rock wall, this beautifully appointed greenhouse is designed with automatic roof vents, support truss system and commercial storefront door.
Eldridge LondonStainless steel slide set into terraced landscape of triangular cedar clad planters and steps, with children's sandpit.
Photography: Lyndon Douglas
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InnovationLandThis covered patio and outdoor kitchen by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston features a Big Green Egg kamado style grill and its "nest" built into a natural stone island along with an RCS grill and double burner. The countertops are granite and the floor is concrete pavers. www.outdoorhomescapes.com
Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery AssociationKalinosky Landscaping Inc. http://www.kalinoskylandscapinginc.com/
Project Entry: The Waverly Residence
2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner
Category: Residential $60,000 & Over
Award Level: Honorable Mention
Project Description:
The residence is located in an upscale suburban sub-division in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The home was designed by an architect from California and is decidingly modern and abstract compared to neighboring homes. The architect was direct in his charge that the landscape be bold, colorful and modern, similar to projects he has worked on in California where the climate and culture allows. The owners embraced this concept adding only that privacy was important. Our main challenge was to find ways to provide the desired spirited and colorful landscape utilizing cooler climate plantings, and to push the limits on the abstract hardscape design without alienating the conservative community. We believe we have achieved our goals as both the demanding architect and discerning homeowners are extremely pleased with the results. This modern landscape has also been embraced by the community. Relative to site problems and scope, we had extensive drainage issues and encountered solid rock near or at the surface. We hydro-hammered out layers of rock to allow the installation of several feet of topsoil and an extensive network of drain tiles to evacuate water constantly flowing from springs we encountered. The topsoil was stripped from the site prior to the start of construction and stored on an adjacent lot. We utilized a portable screening plant, processing the topsoil and adding about 1500 tons of additional purchased topsoil. We designed a modern and abstract concrete wall system to separate the public and private spaces in the front of the residence. A people court was designed again utilizing concrete walls to articulate this space and provide a private environment for our clients. This space is viewed and accessed from the bedroom and entry areas of the home. We added a simple water feature of appropriate volume to provide sound, and at night illuminated reflecting qualities to the people court. Extensive screening was utilized to softly cloister the home and screen a large solar array that provides electricity for the home. A lush, almost tropical looking planting was provided for a large sunken area to offer relief to the lower living spaces. A rear terrace was constructed of exposed aggregate concrete. Near this terrace is a bold, modem, concrete water feature and a gas fire pit. The gas fire pit was custom built by a firm in Colorado utilizing hand-hammered metal and heat induced patinas. This terrace overlooks the sloped perennial garden. We finished the rear space with a calm stone arrangement emerging from raked pea gravel dry lake. This viewed from a stone bench we constructed of thermalled bluestone.
An extensive highly technical lighting system was installed utilizing bronze fixtures controlled by an array of computer linked touch pads throughout the home.
An infinitely controllable irrigation system with over twenty-five zones was installed. This coupled to a dedicated deep drilled well provides stability during dry periods.
Specimen trees and shrubs were brought in from nurseries throughout the country. We specified only the finest we could find. This has given the site a feel of maturity while being quite young.
Photo Credit: Kalinosky Landscaping Inc.
Amber Freda Garden DesignThis Brooklyn Heights townhouse backyard features a bluestone patio and custom-built ipe wood planter boxes. The quiet, Zen-like backyard is shaded by surrounding buildings, so we picked a shade-tolerant mix of dogwoods, rose-of-sharons, rhododendrons, and Japanese andromedas to plant here. It features a bench carved from a tree trunk. When choosing plants that will do well in shade, I find it's generally helpful to think about the types of plants that do well in a woodland environment. Read more about our projects on my blog at www.amberfreda.com.
Contemporary Garden Ideas and Designs
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