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An elegant and artistic garden. This project was a gem because this beautiful turn of the century home was a pallet awaiting an elegant landscape. Not much had been done since the 1980's and the property and plant material appeared to have sunk, leaving a giant sitting atop a pin. In order to allow the weight of this building to rest comfortably on the property in the front, we had to give it weight and interest. We removed the "switchback" ramp used for the entrance from the street and the one and two man rocks that maintained the slope. The ramp was replaced with large, wide granite risers that in the northwest style wind up through the front garden. The smaller rock was replaced with four and five man rock to hold up the now steeper slope. The last four feet to the top level we designed and built an Eagle Mountain dry stack wall, that as we move in closer to this somewhat formal home the smaller stone reflects a more finished garden. Just behind the top of this wall, is a beautiful cedar fence which was designed to reflect the style up on the next level balcony. Thus, the garden is integrated with the house. As one comes to the top of the stairs, the pathway changes from granite to irregular bluestone as it brings you up the side to the front door. It is a rather narrow passage but is made special and elegant by the wall art and the wall waterfall that graces the base of the porch. We created a flat usable lawn in front for dog and kids which was very important to the client. It acts also aesthetically as a formal space from which everything else relates and connects back to. We also created three outdoor living spaces with hardscape materials. One is over the garage that has a view of Mt Rainier and Lake Washington. We had the garage roof protected and overlayed, then installed bluestone set in a crushed gravel base which ties into the rest of the garden. The railing, again is the same design as the upper balcony. There is also a small garden that graces this area which has in it an old charming water fountain. As one walks into the back garden from this side, new stairs were built using mortared bluestone. This brings one to the very large, back patio and garden beds which was the trickiest part of the project. The old concrete had been poured up to the siding of the house. This clearly had to change; however, we definitely wanted to keep it at the same level. We came up with the idea that we could pour a concrete trough below the foundation level and have beautiful iron grates custom built ito fit the space. It worked out well and added charm and aesthetics to the house. The new patio is bluestone mixed with a flow of Montana slate. We created a space for the BBQ just off of the kitchen door. The area between the BBQ and the large entertaining patio is a pretty little formal garden with the antique fountain that had previously existed, was restored to working order and now is the focal point of this elegant, old Seattle garden. The third and last set of mortared bluestone stairs brings one to the alley which is most often used. The whole garden is enclosed by a faux iron fence in dark green to blend with the house yet not to eliminate the sun from coming in or boxing the house in. The use and aesthetic restoration is significant and this project was a true joy. |
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