Back Yard Living in NJ

This is one of several concept plans that I came up with for this NJ back yard. 

I've brought the main seating area into the garden and lowered it through a series of steps and terraces.  The lower patio includes an outdoor kitchen, pergola and fire place. to the left I've designed a natural lagoon type spa overlooking a Koi pond and waterfalls. I've softened the house and hardscaping with landscape plantings consisting of shrubbery, perennials & groundcovers. I've added some shutters, trim work, lanterns and portico to the house to add some character.

Landscape architecture, landscaping, masonry and construction services in the NJ & NY areas.

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A Back Yard Make Over for a Morris County, NJ Residence

This is one of several concept plans that I came up with for this NJ back yard. I've added some shutters, trim work, lanterns and portico to the house to add some character. I've brought the main seating area into the garden and lowered it through a series of steps and terraces. I've softened the house and hardscaping with plantings.

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A Swimming Pool Renovation Project at a Ski Lodge Turned Vacation Home.

An old ski lodge purchased by my clients has been converted into a vacation home. One of the areas that I have been asked to redesign is the existing swimming pool area. A very large rectangular pool surrounded by concrete and a chain link fence.

I am proposing to greatly enlarge the space to take advantage of the beautiful setting and a give a feeling of spaciousness when inside to pool fencing area.

I'm using a rustic post and rail fence softened and partially hidden by sculpting the terrain as well as with plantings.

The patio is to be over sized flagstone with extra large joints that will be planted with grass. 

A pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and a small pool house with materials that match the main residence.

I'm proposing to renovate the interior of the pool adding a new step design, benches and a sun ledge so that chaise lounges can be placed in the pool.

The plantings are simple using large groupings including  Clump Birch Trees, Ornamental Grasses, Viburnum & White Hydrangea.

Swimming pool design, landscaping, masonry and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Proposed Outdoor Living Space for a Westchester Residence

This Chappaqua NY residence has a very unusable backyard. Forty feet in grade changes within a short distance. My client asked that I create some useable terraces so that he can have more use of the property with his family including usable lawn areas. In this rendering I am proposing to give the existing deck a makeover so that it ties in with the new patio and landscaping that I am designing.

I am proposing a patio with surrounding seat walls, a built in bench, fire pit and an outdoor kitchen. I am very limited due to the impervious coverage restrictions in the town of Chappaqua.

I've chosen materials that work with the house but most of all lets me keep within a budget. The walls around the patio are to be color washed concrete walls. They can be stone veneered at a later date if the client so chooses. The patio is a concrete paver. The decking will be changed from wood to a low maintenance material.

To soften the hardscaping I am proposing to plant the surrounding areas with a variety of Evergreen, Shrubbery, Small Flowering Trees, Perennials & Groundcovers.

Landscape design, masonry and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Pool & Landscape Design for a NY Vacation Home

A before and after view of the proposed swimming pool and landscaping design project. Inspiration came from a previous pool project that I had designed and installed. My clients asked if I could implement some of the design features into their site.

I'm proposing a free form swimming pool and waterfall. There will be two natural stone patio areas. I've surrounded the pool area with lush plantings which give a sense of enclosure and separation from the rest of the yard, but still have views out into the yard. They really want to keep the deer out so I designed a trellis for the visible areas at deer fence height.

This weekend home is located in the NY Catskills.

Landscape and swimming pool design & construction services in the NY & NJ areas.

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A Brick Patio & Garden Design Concept

In this conceptual landscape design rendering I am proposing to remove the existing angular deck and replace it with some rustic stone steps and a weathered curved brick patio  I've enclosed the space with lush growing late spring and summer flowering shrubs and perennials. I am also proposing several small flowering trees to be randomly placed in the beds. I've designed a small bbq enclosure with a soap stone countertop. Eight foot deer fencing will surround this five acre property located in the NY Catskills.

Landscape architectural design & construction services in the NY & NJ areas.

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Garden Steps in a NY Garden

This NY front yard step design features radius cut bluestone treads with rock faced edges.  The risers are made with a mixture of Bluestone and PA fieldstone. A rock, Phlox and Myrtle detail softens the corner of this design.

Landscape design, masonry and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A New England stone masonry wall and landscaping project in NJ

I carved out the existing hillside to accommodate the new swimming pool. To retain the

 hillside I designed and installed several tiers of engineered stone masonry walls. Each 

stone was hand tooled and fitted. I used a colored mortar, slightly recessed for the grout

 joints. For the coping I used the same sandstone that I used for the patios. The plantings 

have been in for about 8 months from when this photo was taken. In another year or so the

 walls will begin to be softened by the plantings.

Landscape design, masonry and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A backyard path and landscape design in NY.

A simple, rustic stepping stone path leading from the upper patio through a shade garden 

to the front yard. I randomly place weathered boulders into the planting beds. Some of the

 plant groupings are Liriope, Hosta, Iris, Lamium, Ajuga and a fall blooming Anemone. 

This backyard landscape design project is located in Orange County, NY.

Landscape design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A country driveway design in NY.

I used gravel for the driveway and reclaimed cobbles for the curbing. These materials are timeless and keep with the rustic setting. I planted a climbing rose at the corner of this old garage. It took about 3 years to achieve this full grown look.

Landscape architecture, masonry and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Stone landing and steps in Westchester, NY.

A small set of steps and landing leading to the mudroom of a quaint rustic home located in

 northern Westchester, NY. I used bluestone for the treads and landing. New England 

fieldstone was used for the risers. I always take great care, using the correct scale and

 proportions when designing steps.

Landscape architecture, masonry and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Bergen County, NJ back yard landscape architecture project.

In this view you can see the newly designed and constructed deck an outdoor room below. 

the garden walls are constructed with a New England fieldstone and sandstone coping. The

 cedar fencing in the back ground has been stained white to match the deck trim and 

columns. A grouping of dwarf Deutzia is in full bloom. This backyard landscape

architecture project is located in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Landscape architecture and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Roses and Campanula in June in a NY Garden

I think this combination works well. The Campanula blooms for three to four

 weeks....sometimes a little longer. The shrub roses however will bloom for Five months as 

long as you continue to dead head.

This garden design is located in the NY Hudson Valley.

Landscape design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Patio design with a European flare in NJ.

A small court yard design for a Restaurant located in southern Bergen County. The walls of the surrounding buildings have been planted with Boston Ivy. I used a rustic natural cleft irregular bluestone for the patio areas. Shrubbery, perennials, and planters surround the space. Three fountains and outdoor lighting add to the old world ambiance.

Landscape architecture and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A private front yard landscape design in Westchester, NY

A private front yard landscape design in Westchester, NY.

A private front yard located in Mt. Vernon, NY.  This late spring view features some lavender Verbena in full bloom.  Some Foxglove is still in bloom as well as Astilbe and Allysum.  The stepping stone path and stone stepper is softened with various low growing perennials and Sedums.

Landscape and garden design and installation services in the Westchester, NY and NJ areas.

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Prickly Pear Cactus in a Hudson Valley Garden

A spring view of Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom in a NY garden.

Prickly Pear Cactus of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactaceae) have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves. The pads are modified branches or stems that provide photosynthesis, water storage and flower production.

The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name "tuna." Prickly Pear branches (the pads) are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They, too, are sold in stores under the name "Nopalito." Because of the glochids, great care is required when harvesting or preparing prickly pear cactus. Prickly Pear Nectar is made with the juice and pulp of the fruits.

Landscape and garden design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Tiger Lillies in a NY Garden Design

A small planting detail in a NY garden. I tend to use Tiger & Asiatic Lillies as mid or background plants for late spring color. Their foliage looks rather unsightly after bloom so I make sure that they are surrounded by late blooming perennials that will cover up the Lillies foliage.

Garden & landscape design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Stone & Brick Front Walkway Detail

A front walkway design using a combination of brick and bluestone. I used brick

 that matches the house and a natural cleft stone for a more rustic look. I installed an ice 

and snow melt system below the walkway for convenience. This landscape architecture and 

masonry project is located in the NY Hudson Valley.

Landscape and masonry design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Spring Garden Planting Detail

A small planting detail in a NY garden.  A rustic limestone wall forms the backdrop for this perennial garden featuring Tulips, Brunnera, two varieties of Campanula, Ajuga and Daylily.

Garden design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Siberian Iris in a Hudson Valley Garden

A front yard landscape design in a NY Hudson Valley garden. Siberian Iris is in full bloom. Hydrangea, Roses, Myrtle, Heuchera, Daylily and Rhododendron are also featured in this landscape design.

Landscape design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Blue Bearded Iris in Spring

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Front Yard Walkway and Landscape Design

This is an example of how a simple, creatively designed front walkway and landscape plantings can transform a simple small home into something much more.

Landscape design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Small Koi Pond Design Project

A small koi pond design located in Rockland County, NY. Carefully chosen and placed rocks and boulders help to naturalize this man made pond.  Because of the small scale of this pond I used a miniature Water Lily and small water plants to soften the rock work.

Pond design & building services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Stepping Stone Path & Garden in NJ

A front yard stepping stone path and plantings. This mid September photo was taken three months after the planting was completed.  Some of the plants that I used are Rhododendron, Mazus, Ajuga, Daylily, Anemones and Plumbago.  I used a decorative copper path light to the left of the garden path.  This landscape design is located in Essex County, New Jersey.

Landscape architecture and garden design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Perennial Garden Detail in a NY Garden

I used a combination of Lavender, Verbena and Creeping Phlox in this NY perennial garden design.

Landscape, garden design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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An Outdoor Fire Place Project in a NY Garden

This is the back side of an outdoor fire place design and construction project in a NY garden. I wanted this structure to be attractive from all sides and to blend into the garden.

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A New York Perennial Garden in September

This is a September view of a perennial garden located in Warwick Valley, NY.  The Catnip and Lavender have been trimmed back and are working on a second bloom. In the background are Serbian Spruce, Echinacea, Roses, Coreopsis, Liatris, Shasta Daisy, Butterfly Bush and Dogwoods.

Landscape architect design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Stone Veneer Project on a Rockland County Residence

This NY residence had a large exposed masonry foundation.  I veneered it with this natural stone that we used on the patio retaining and sitting walls.  It simplified as well as visually tied the outdoor room that I created with the house.

Masonry design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A NY Planting Bed Detail in August

A flower bed in full bloom in late August. I used Petunias, Boxwood and Hydrangea in this section of the garden. This garden design is located in Bellvale, NY.

Landscape and garden design services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Rustic Stone Breakfast Patio in Westchester, NY

A small raised rustic natural stone terrace off the kitchen overlooking the Lavender and Hydrangea backyard gardens. I chose this stone to compliment the natural cedar siding of the home and to create a French Country feel to blend in with the gardens and lower gravel patio that I designed and installed.

This natural stone masonry project is located in Northern Westchester, NY.

Landscape design and masonry services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Driveway Gate Pier Detail in NY

A driveway entry pier design detail at a NY Hudson Valley residence.  I used brick that matches the house and an ornate precast pier cap for this formal country estate.

Landscape architect design and build services in the New York and New Jersey areas.

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Climbing Roses Softening a Country Garage

A June view of a climbing rose in full bloom.  Simple to grow, climbing roses add an old world charm to a garage or house.

This garden design is located in Warwick, NY.

Garden design and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

845-590-7306

A Rustic Country Stone Retaining Wall and Plantings

A rustic New England fieldstone retaining wall and planting project.  Nepeta is in full bloom and will provide color from June to September. It is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies.     Nepeta is much easier to grow in the NY and NJ areas than traditional Lavender. Boxwood and PJM Rhododendron are going to prove sone year round foliage.

This landscaping and masonry project is located in the NY Lower Hudson Valley.

Landscape architecture and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

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A Swimming Pool Garden in the Hudson Valley

A simple traditional swimming pool with reclaimed stair treads that were used for the coping and rustic flagstone for the patio.  The plantings consist of a variety of perennials, Roses, Hydrangea, Lilac and ornamental grasses. 

This swimming pool garden is located in the NY Hudson Valley.

Landscape architecture and installation services in the NY and NJ areas.

845-590-7306

A Back Yard Stone Terrace

A natural flagstone patio, steps, outdoor kitchen and a weathered cedar pergola overlooking the Hudson River. Surrounding this stone patio is a finely crafted natural stone retaining and sitting wall.
This patio and landscape design is located in Rockland County, New York.

Landscape architecture, masonry design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

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Garden Steps Leading Up to an Outdoor Room

A set of natural stone garden steps.  They are tucked away in the corner of this outdoor room design for access to the side property.  Behind the stone retaining walls lie the patio, outdoor kitchen and Koi pond.

This patio and landscape design is located in Rockland County, New York.

Landscape design and construction services in the NY and NJ areas.

845-590-7306