The existing garden of this home was a bare slate, with a lot of trash, after a major home remodel. The plan was to create an exceptional outdoor entertaining area with stunning focal features and the highest quality materials. The project started with the construction of the new Outdoor Kitchen area. A large raised bar counter top and BBQ and Pizza oven area. The structure is constructed with a natural cut Pennsylvania Bluestone stacked face, and a colored poured concrete counter top. The Kitchen area has a shingled roof structure overhead designed to match the house. There is a 52" stainless BBQ a stainless Pizza oven, large bar fridge and stainless sink with hot and cold water. The structure is also wired to the sound system of the home and connected to the HDTV. A flat screen TV is hanging from the rear of the structure. There is a central control panel that governs the operation of the garden lights, misting system and water wall feature. The paving used under the dining area and to cover the driveway area of the garden is a solid patio Pennsylvania Bluestone. The area below the very large existing Pittosporum Tree and between the patio and the drive is open laid Pennsylvania Bluestone. The spaces between the stones are planted with Mondo Grass, Moss and Baby's Tears in the shade and Grass in the sun areas. Large Ficus were planted along the back wall to screen the neighbor. A large water feature wall was constructed on the wall of the garage. It is 12' long and 8' tall. There is a pool at the base to catch the water. The surrounds of the wall and the base are constructed from Pennsylvania Bluestone the Back of the water wall is constructed from manufactured stone. Water is drawn out of the pool and through a piping system in the wall and then runs down the face of the stone. There are lights in the pool to highlight the wall at night. A low voltage lighting system is installed throughout the garden area to highlight features and plants in the garden area. The entire garden and hanging baskets are connected to an irrigation system. Other features of this garden are the misting system installed to cool the BBQ area and the homes patio as well as through the large shade tree and above the water wall. There are a number of site build cedar gates and a specially designed box to hide the garbage cans. This box has a hydraulic lid to assist opening and lift the lids of the garbage container on the inside. A special feature of the Kitchen is the Pizza rolling station. Designed and built to provide a stable large area to roll the dough, as well as store all the tools needed to produce the perfect pizza.
Before
Before
Ourdoor Kitchen and Dining Room
Stacked Stone and Concrete BBQ
Water Wall Feature Fountain
BBQ and Pizza Area
Pizza Rolling Station
Patio Area
Patio Area and Driveway
Shade Garden Area
Shade Garden Area
Garbage Can Storage Box
Cheviot Hills Meditation Garden
The brief on this garden was to create a "Japanese" style meditation garden. The existing focal point was a great Chinese Elm tree which we decided to build the low deck around. The deck was constructed from redwood. The existing shed was screened by using redwood lattice. The wood was laid in such a was as to give the impression of a much larger space. We planted a large pruned Pine tree into the garden and then surrounded the central gravel area with a number of flowering plants such as Azalea, Camellia, Gardenia and Japanese Maple. Large stepping stones were placed in the gravel to provide more direct paths and to direct one through the garden area. Areas of varying Moss and low growing ground covers were also planted to soften some areas of the garden. A new feature is the large stone fountain which is now a focal feature as you ascend to the space. water bubbles out of the top of the stone and runs down into a basin hidden below the water feature. A variety of gravels stones and rocks were used through out the space. As well a number of glazed black pots were placed around the garden and deck area.
