Naturally Contemporary
Of all the projects I have designed over the years this landscape in Eden Prairie is the most personal since it is the home I grew up in. Designing and working with my parents turned out to be a great experience, plus they actually help build the front Virginia Slate wall! Not an easy stone to work with.
Their desire was to have a more inviting and interesting entryway and redo the poolside backyard landscape that had been a vegetable and cut flower garden, for the benefit of them we were able to get Pool Renovation Companies.
The exposed aggregate concrete walk leading to the front door remain since it was in perfect shape, but an offshoot of quartzite stone pavers lead to a ‘sunburst’ patio with a flowing basalt in the middle. Low walls of Virginia Slate, a local MN stone, framed the patio and existing river birch gardens.
The wood steps leading to the backyard remained but a stone side access path through a woodland garden of ferns, meadow rue, and hostas was added. The main destination in the backyard was the square poolside stone patio constructed from both quartzite and bluestone. Stone square planters flank the patio that are fill with annuals every year. A concrete fountain sits on the edge of patio. Additional square planters and gardens were installed along the pool edge to unite the entire backyard.
Challenge
It was a real pleasure to work with my parents, especially since the process of the job had to be interrupted many times so I could work with ‘paying’ clients.
Solution
My parents were flexible and pretty much let me design and build the vision I had for their home. My mother has a great artists eye so it was wonderful to exchange idea with on another to create the final plan. My father like being involved in the building, especially when it came to the more technical items like plumbing and electrical.
My family spent years enjoying this landscape but it now in the care of others whom I hope will enjoy it as much as my family has.
