The only entrance to this home was the rather precarious railroad-tie stairs and a not too stable handrail. There was a large concrete drainage channel running along the stairs and opening onto the driveway. The entrance to the home was unwelcoming, unsafe and not secure.
We demolished the existing stairs and began by building a new entrance courtyard and stairs leading up to the front door of the home. A terraced planter bed was constructed over the drainage channel, still allowing for the flow of the water but providing three great new planter beds along the stairs.
Brick was used for the landing areas and as a cap on the walls and planters to tie into the existing brick used on the house. New concrete was poured for the steps.
A new wood gate and entry arch was built to add more privacy and security to the courtyard and entry of the house.
The plantings used in the new planter beds and new planters created at the wall and gate, were selected to soften up the area. They are all plants which create movement and when lit at night cast great shadows on the new walls.
Before
After
A bright entrance
Oakshire
Opening Up The Home
This great little house was hidden from the street by a hedge of very sad Eugenia. The single car drive was cracked and the path and the brick work was crumbling and uneven on the front door landing. The small open space in front of the house was muddy and sloping.
We started by removing all of the old driveway and paths and layed a new flagstone, two car wide driveway and pathway leading to he front of the house. The existing landing and front stairs was also made with the new flagstone pavers. The hedge was removed, opening the house to the street and giving much needed light to the front of the house. A low wood retaining wall was constructed to allowus to create a level front lawn area, and terrace the front planter bed. A row of Boxwood was planted here with Iceberg roses and Rosemary ground cover to trail over the front wall.
A featured red pot fountain was installed in the front garden bed. Two matching red pots planted with Gardenia were placed on the steps. The red of the pots matched the red of the front door.
