MasterPLAN Landscape Design

Jun 2014

Preserving the view from the house to the stream in the woods was a top priority. The homeowners wanted an integrated, open outdoor space for entertainment and grilling. It had to look great from the inside of their home and offer the feel of a private wooded retreat; yet be functional. We were up for the challenge! First we removed the old painted wooden deck and stairs. It was far too much maintenance for our homeowners. They were searching for a solution that permitted a fully functioning, low maintenance, outdoor living space. It had to be outfitted with a place to cook, eat and relax with a good book. Since the area was reasonably sparse and flat it provided the ideal area for us to create an intimate elevated retreat. Next we designed the paver entryway to include one step leading to the main deck with LED ground lighting that illuminates some of the native trees. We were able to construct the new deck almost to the edge of the woods, designing the centrally located C-shaped stone bar as the focal point for entertainment. This made good use of the downward-sloped terrain without having to rework it. We repurposed the existing garden bed and utilized the hollow of the C-shaped stone bar by planting a vase shaped Zelkova tree and Carex Bowles Golden grass. This allowed us to integrate nature into the deck. Lastly, we added a low voltage LED lighting system, combined a fine black texture aluminum and stainless steel cable railing and bumped the surrounding deck out past the bar. This offered the illusion of an even larger deck area while protecting the stream view. By using materials such as stone, aluminum, stainless steel cable, and composite decking we significantly tapered the maintenance required leaving more time for our homeowners to entertain with family and friends. The result was an expansive multi-level deck that visually brought the first floor space outdoors, providing a welcoming and cozy look year round.

Bear Creek, PA

Jun 2014

We needed to design an intimate, functional, yet low maintenance outdoor living space for these very active parents. Smore season was just around the corner, therefore we had to quickly get this project started. First we removed the old style composite walk out deck and brick landing. The ground near the deck had become a storm water collection area resulting in seepage through the existing window well. The solution was to level the ground, cut away part of the swale, and build up the window well to redirect the water away from the well. We replaced the deck with a rustic paver patio. These busy parents loved the idea of a low maintenance patio for their new outdoor living space. In order to provide shelter from seasonal elements, we added a roof system and incorporated skylights to allow light back into the house. We also added a ceiling fan for comfort from those sticky summer evenings. We continued the patio beyond the roofline for a more open feel and added a natural gas fire pit and seating walls as an entertainment focal point. The soft LED lighting cast against the stone walls creates shadows making it a more dynamic evening space. Replacing the old brick landing area with lowmaintenance pavers and extending the walkway to the driveway provides an inviting access to the patio. We created new beds, planting flowering shrubs and trees, and perennials, adding dashes of much needed color. Then we added a few raised beds for berry and vegetable gardens. To enhance the privacy we added additional trees and vines along the existing split rail fence. By replacing the overgrown plantings and failing deck structure with an open concept design weve successfully expanded the outdoor living space and set the mood for an ideal campfire and smores.

Easton, PA

Apr 2014

This spirited couple purchased their residence with retirement in mind. They appreciated the disguised character of the home and understood its true potential, but needed our help to bring it all together. Out with the old, in with the new. The trees and shrubbery had grown into the homes structure darkening the inside of the house and causing the outside to discolor. Clearing the overgrowth surrounding the home and grounds not only exposed the sophisticated charm of the property, it paved the way for us to re-define its brilliance. The original rear stone terraces were not ample enough for entertaining. We designed an expansive elevated living space using a warm Brazilian Cumaru hardwood. The homeowners needed more room for storage so we added an under deck storage space complete with inverted roof system to keep their items dry. In order to tie in with the beautiful stone in the front of the house, we added a hand chiseled stone raised planter, complete with palm trees for an added vacation touch. The space was brought together with a black fine textured aluminum rail. No outdoor space is complete without warm LED lighting. We incorporated them on the stairs, planters and even in the pergola to shine down like stars, lending a carefree al fresco feel. The old side entry was narrow, dim and uninviting. We installed a wider paver walkway, added a Bevelo handcrafted antiqued gas lantern, numerous LED lights that splashed against the stone and stucco, and a small Basalt spire water feature to create an inviting side entry. The macadam driveway was unattractive and not sufficient for turning around a vehicle so we added paver inlays and an apron affording the proper space. Decorative pavers were added to the center of the driveway to break up the macadam and expand the now welcoming front walkway and entrance. We created a 1 x 6 dog-eared cedar fence as a storage space for trashcans and to hide exposed utilities. Custom ornamental decor was fabricated not only for beauty but to hide the unsightly well casing. Lastly we removed the overgrown dull plantscapes and replaced them with beautiful, low maintenance plant selections for the owners to enjoy year-round color and texture. We were able to transform this home from an overgrown, inefficient, and dated design into a striking, functional, and timeless living space.

Center Valley, PA

Nov 2013

Replace a ho-hum wooden deck with a bigger, better, low maintenance structure that offers shade in the day, lights at night, room to entertain plus storage space. This project turned out amazing! I truly loved designing and building this project. The homeowners came to me to create a custom 3D design for them that would incorporate many of their needs into a compact, efficient design. They wanted to preserve the gorgeous view from the rear of the house while at the same time provided some much needed shade. We started by removing the existing deck and designed a much larger space with a catwalk that linked the driveway at the side of the house to the rear deck. This allowed for easy movement between spaces. Our design featured an open plan with a gentle curve as an accent. We chose a PVC deck material by TimberTec for the low maintenance decking material. All decking was installed with invisible fasteners so the decking appears to be lying there. The railings are molded aluminum with a powered coated finish for a lifetime of low maintenance. The almost invisible railing post LED light fixtures are designed to cast just a small amount of light along the edge of the decking spaces. The deck area was also designed with storage in mind. We designed an under-deck storage space complete with a bright white waterproof ceiling, overall vinyl sided enclosure (to match the house), wide open access doors with decorative hinges and a window to give it a nicer look and natural light. One special concern the homeowners had was that in the afternoon, the sun cooks the whole deck area. We addressed this by adding a decorative vinyl pergola with a lattice top to the dining area of the deck. This area will now be much cooler in the summer. A curved bar/eating area was added to the deck to provide space for friends and family members to enjoy a meal while at the same time take in the beautiful sites of the surrounding vistas. The patio was designed as a living room with room for an outdoor love seat and couch. A fire pit space was included for those cool spring and fall evenings. Colorful landscape plantings were added to provide year round interest and privacy. Boulders were added to the steep hillside for more interest and to help retain the soil. The warm and inviting low voltage LED lighting was added around the patio and plantings to create a subtle ambiance of light for evening enjoyment.

Fogelsville, PA

Aug 2013

Replace an old deck with a low-maintenance deck that provides shelter while maintaining forest views and natural light inside. What a fun project! We removed a plain, traditional wooden deck and replaced it with an extraordinary state-of-the-art, low maintenance outdoor space! We designed this deck for maximum efficiency with an open space feeling. The homeowners wanted an open relaxed space that would preserve the view to the forest and a covered porch that would not cut off the natural light from the patio. So we designed the structure with engineered beams to minimize the number of support posts needed, and added skylights to let more light in. We also moved the engineered beam up into the roof structure to minimize its presence. This homeowner didnt want to be food for the mosquitoes so not only did we add screening we added remote controlled retractable Phantom Screens around the structure. The screens are hidden up in the roof when not in use. We also added much needed storage space under the deck. I love to use stone as a great grounding element. Not only did we add a stone planter, to add an element of greenery, but we also added a stone fire pit, which runs on remote-controlled gas. We then built in benches to create a relaxing space where friends and family will love to gather.

King of Prussia, PA

Jul 2012

Create an outdoor living space on a steep hillside without altering the historic propertys charming atmosphere. This historic estate, nestled into a hillside, brought many challenges. The rear of the house lacked any space flat enough to accommodate a table and chairs, and was largely unused due to the steep grade of the hill. Our plan called for major excavation to provide a flat space. Carving out a flat area from the hill required skill and precision. We designed an upper landing and a set of steps to help with the grade change, incorporating an existing staircase that leads to a backdoor. We also installed natural stacked stone walls to retain the earth. Stones walls like this would have also been used in the 1920s, when this home was built, adding a historically accurate element of interest to the project. We used flagstones to build the floor, with a geometric pattern reminiscent of a marble dance floor. We added a brick border in a rich brown color to match the antique bricks of the house. We designed a custom waterfall using large natural boulders, to give the feeling that the water feature had always been there. A new wooden fence provided privacy, while tasteful plants brought a garden-feel to the property. We also added subtle lighting to allow the homeowners to extend get-togethers into the wee hours of the evening. This project added a new outdoor living space to the home while boosting the propertys value.

Easton, PA