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JUDY | This project, a new cape style home, is quite literally wedged into a small 1/4 acre site that is part of a great community. The homeowner desired a low maintanence landscape, a couple of private spaces to entertain, paint and relax. We were able to do this project with.....no grass! Talk about going green. Using ground covers and mulches, a small deck and paver patio, the entire property was covered without using any grass. There was some challenging ledge, some we exposed and some we covered. The proximity of a neighboring house, 10 feet higher and only 30 feet away, had a rather imposing feeling on most our our clients property. Working together we were able to provide an evergreen buffer that keeps each content in a tight sharing of private space. |
| 574 Visits
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WSG | At the new home of WS Goodrich we were asked to design and build the displays for two of their vendors. Working with representatives from each of the companies we identified the most poular products and the layout that best represents them. With the design work done and agreed upon, we began by installing granite curbing to define the parking lot, added upwards of 4,000 sq ft of concrete pavers and blended approximately 800 sq ft of retaining wall into a relatively flat site. Plants were planted to create a setting that encourages people to think about how they might use some of these materials at their own property. All the best for the next 120 years! |
| 520 Visits
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MARVA One of our most recent projects allowed for some early involvement in the design challenges associated with this project. The house occupies the majority of the level land and the home owner desired to have the pool as close to that elevation as possible. We were able to acheive this by terracing the pool in a way that allowed us to provide them with a reasonably sized lawn as well. A bluestone terrace gives way to a large concrete paver pool deck.
Our next challenge was in the front. After a number of considerations the courtyard you see seemed to be the most appropriate solution. It provides a comfortable space not ony for the cars, but to meet and greet guests. The stone columns and retaining walls provide a sense of enclosure and a back drop for viewing the space from in the house. A fun project, with a fun client. |
| 448 Visits
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GREGG | This home was built for it's current owners about 9 years ago. They have felt that the arrival, about a 1/2 mile drive from the road, didn't allow for a full appreciation of the building(s). After meeting with the homeowner and designing the layout as you see it we began by removing a large stand of hemlocks that had previously blocked the house, almost completely. Maintaining the most desirable, mature plants was of major consideration and gave way to many of the design challenges/solutions. The grading was manipulated to create a terrace that is retained by 2 long walls. Each wall terminates with a large column, each capped with limestone and light fixtures to match the house fixtures. We set custom granite curbing that has a thermaled top that gives a more worn and timeless appearance. The existing clay brick walks were maintained and an additional walk leads to the pool. This project illustrates how an existing condition, while seemingly appropriate, can be dramitically improved with some thoughtful design consideration. The beginning and the end of this work tie back together with the existing condition seamlessly. |
| 758 Visits
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PEG | A private garden that finishes off a newly expanded kitchen at this residence in Exeter, NH. Challenges abound with more than a couple door elevations and a relatively flat yard. Our solution has the appearance of having always been there in spite of dramatic change to the whole house. A young family can easily relax, entertain, garden and frollick in the spaces provided. Sculpture has been integrated into the space as well as throughout the property. |
| 365 Visits
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GRAY | This Cape Cod style home is one that we have been working on over the past 3-4 years. A fine example of phasing. This garden was planted 2-3 years ago. A new deck is a great transition from a 3 season room, to a stone patio. Early shots are available on our Residential page of the web site. Change happens. |
| 520 Visits
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BRITT | These two buildings created a neat opportunity after each went through a thorough remodel. Hard to tell huh? A great project that provides great space for today's busy family. Watch out for that cat! |
| 328 Visits
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CAESAR | The undercar garage, with all of its many benefits often creates a grading challenge. Here we have rebuilt a failed timber wall -a soultion that allowed the homeowner to maintain their existing asphalt driveway, with minor changes. Welcome home. |
| 300 Visits
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2220 | A well designed oceanfront home... that emerged after the existing home was razed! This family compound was built to accommodate 3 generations. Each with their own needs and desires, each of which has been provided for: space for sitting, playing, cooking and eating. Life's a beach! |
| 477 Visits
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4ATLANTIC | This seaside cottage recently got new owners who could tell immediately that something wasn't quite right. After a thoughtful analysis of what was there, we began unraveling a maze of wrought iron fence, we selectively eliminated large vegetation that blocked views and provided little aesthetic value. The very restrictive vehiclular circulation was improved by adding a cobblestone drop off zone. Bluestone walkways were designed to direct your focus to ocean views and desired doors to enter. Existing sculpture was incorporated and placed in a more appropriate setting. Stop by to see this property at night thanks to some strategically placed low voltage lighting. Stay tuned for more, we did the back too, although mostly in the snow! Spring shots soon!! |
| 438 Visits
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GOODWAY | Working closely with the client we were able develop a design that organized and defined their space. Using some of the existing elements we used additional plantings, walls and fences that direct your focus. The concrete paver driveway, with colors that compliment the house, provides a nice alternative to asphalt, or in this case gravel. The wide band around the perimeter of the pavers helps with the scale as well as defining the space for both visitors and residents. A project that has been phased over a few years. Earlier pictures of the rest of the property can be viewed on our sites Residential page. Amazing what a little time can do! |
| 333 Visits
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CENTRAL | A concrete paver driveway replaces existing asphalt. The owners of this property always felt the asphalt was a bit too big so it was reduced slightly from the original footprint and improved with better lines too. The access to the front door is safer, as well as being more aesthetically pleasing. Go by at night to appreciate these improvements with the low voltage lighting on! |
| 322 Visits
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1134 | The arrival at this property was previously very ill-defined. We designed and built the driveway to be centered on the house and used much of the existing soil to shape the landform on either side. Some shade trees, flowering trees, salt-tolerant plantings and low maintenence lawn grass aid in providing an appropriate arrival to this ocean front residence. |
| 306 Visits
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Galley Hatch | Seacoast landmark eatery gets a major remodel to provide gourmet foods. We were asked to install the concrete block planters with bluestone coping as specified by the architect. |
| 325 Visits
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HFALLS | This old farm house is being lovingly restored by its current owners. With the need to accomodate multiple cars, provide easier egress to the house and tame a busy, horse strong Airedale we set about to solve all these problems. The result is a wonderful new arrival that provides adequate parking with a newly added hammer head driveway, 3 grand steps invite you from the public space into a more private garden that leads to the house. Much of the existing vegatation was preserved and replanted as necessary. This project has since been improved by a bluestone terrace that extends the upper terrace for cooking into a larger space for dining. Bon appetit! |
| 484 Visits
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SUBARU | This Seacoast car dealership had three goals, maximize parking, minimize maintenence and provide an attractive setting to display cars. Ideally this would be done in a way that "extended" the showroom outdoors. Viewing cars even in inclimate weather can easily be done from inside the showroom. With some subtle landform, a rugged surface of natural stone provides an appropriate surface for these all wheel drive cars. In lieu of the existing asphalt it was agreed that concrete pavers would provide an inviting, durable surface for the arrival of customers and delivery of their automobiles. Low voltage lighting was also incorporated to highlight cars in the evening. |
| 275 Visits
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MacLeod | A shingle style residence for a young family. |
| 518 Visits
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Concord Pt | With parking at a premium, and so much a part of the property, concrete pavers were utilized to tidy up this ocean front residence. |
| 321 Visits
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Boathouse | This "boathouse" was designed for a small waterfront lot. This design developed from some of the inherent site limitations including; a complex, state of the art septic system, a building foot print that maximized the sites impervious surface requirements and perhaps the most difficult... a cantankerous neighbor! Working closely with the single resident homeowner, the end result minimizes maintenence and maximizes the limited outdoor space. |
| 394 Visits
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James Crockett Memorial Garden | A brother of my fraternity, James Underwood Crockett is perhaps the most well recognized horticulturalist of recent time. The Victory Garden, a perennial favorite of public television, was Jim's baby and introduced many of us to fine gardening, vegetable gardening and travel. After a surprise winter storm, a hand full of dedicated brothers and myself shoveled 5" of freshly fallen snow and set about to install the "hardscape" portion of the garden. Spring brought some of Jim's favorite plants and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. That's Jim's wife Margaret with the scissors! Visit many fine gardens at the home of MassHort in Wellesley, MA. |
| 285 Visits
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1138 | A family's seaside cottage gets a face lift. The environmental limitations of this project required us to replace the existing space "exactly" as it was orginally. A comfortable space that allows the surrounding "landscape" to be fully appreciated. |
| 274 Visits
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woodland estate | A modest cape on a substantial parcel. This home has all the creature comforts, both in and out, of today's modern home. The understated arrival gives way to a gunite pool with concrete paver pool deck. Remnant granite, cobblestone and bluestone were used to create a cozy fire pit. The hot tub's presence was minimized by setting it nearly flush with the ground on three sides. Native plantings were the preferred choice to help this house get "back to nature" as soon as possible. |
| 467 Visits
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