Front entrance
In one of the builder portfolio homes we visited during due diligence, we were particularly impressed with the understated natural landscaping design by Richardson & Associates, Landscape Architects. Many of Richardson & Associates projects have been recognized for their design excellence. We found out that our architects Steven and Wiebke has previously collaborated with Todd Richardson, who as it turns out lives five minutes down the road from us. So it was an easy decision to go with Richardson & Associates that developed the master plan, helped us select the landscape contractor, and supervised the implementation of the final plan. In awarding the ASLA 2010 Award of Excellence to Richardson & Associates, the jury summed up the design: “A very light touch. The design fits its context…” We couldn’t say it better.
Placing rocks
Todd and project manager David Maynes got involved before the construction, which turned out to be a really good decision. Todd was instrumental in orienting the garage so that the garage deck was scribed to the ledge via a short deck. David meticulously cataloged the many huge rocks on our property so that Spang Builders could locate them in situ. Several of these rocks were hidden in the basement crawl space for the last 65 years. We were happy to liberate these rocks from the darkness into the sunshine. We were really pleased with the large reuse of stones in our property. The landscape design reuse of existing rocks for scribing and stepping stones added to the feeling that they have always been placed in that location. Some of the recovered stones serve as benches although they look like they have been there since their formation.
Bringing pine closer to Lily Pond
The landscape gracefully weaves the old and the new where the new additions look like the old – a testament to the natural design. The recovered stones are aligned with the ice age ledge formations while functioning as meandering steps. The design also removed invasive species and expanded the existing native blueberry and bayberry patches while adding autumn brilliance bushes – amplifying the native futures of the old. Shrub honeysuckles, which leaf out earlier than native species and retain their leaves longer into the fall, outcompete native plants. The seeds of these Japanese shrubs are spread into new locations by birds and makes the shrub even more difficult to control. Our landscape contractor Salmon Falls Landscaping removed quite a bit of the invasive honeysuckle opening up the view from the yard.
Entrance walkway
Salmon Falls project manager Steve Esch and Mike’s, and Whitney’s crews did a fantastic job in removing the invasive shrub, prepping beds with loam compost mix, installing the boulders, steps, paths, and terrace and planting wild sod, trees, shrubs, perennials and seeding lawn areas. We love the Hunza walkway lights that blend into the landscape with their unobtrusive appearance. They are from New Zealand with minimalist shape made out of copper tubing that already developed a nice patina. David strategically located at transition points to welcome guests along the pea stone paths.
South elevation
Lily Pond House 