Plan To Planted: White Project
Before and after photos are powerful reminders of how spaces can transform with the right design and implementation. But most of us swipe through the images without ever considering the process behind how the space went from a “before” to an “after”. In reality, the process is where the magic happens, and our team at Big Rock Landscaping is familiar with the magic of planning and installing landscapes that take your breath away.
This project, the front and side yards of the White family property required some of our best work. They wanted an elegant front entrance, leveled space, and a clean, modern look to match the exterior of the home. The sloped property presented some interesting design challenges, but our team was up for the task!
Planning For The White Project
Our first step in planning for this project was an onsite walkthrough. When we first arrived, we found a space brimming with potential… and dirt.
Creating a beautiful, usable space from nothing is our specialty, the more dirt the merrier. We consulted with the White family—they had a very modern exterior to their home, incorporating clean lines, neutral colors, and wood tones.
They wanted a breathtaking front entry with some level lawn, and a side yard that would provide privacy, so some fast-growing, modern trees were in order. With the sloped yard we knew we would need to incorporate retaining walls and other hardscapes to achieve the look we wanted.
Opting for white, simple retaining walls to match the exterior of the home, we also envisioned rows of carefully planted shrubs. We put our plans down on paper, shared our plans with our clients, and with their approval, we started the project.
The Landscape Design Concept For The White Project
We knew that in order to create a cohesive look that didn’t disrupt the natural beauty of the landscape, we were going to have to find ways to work with the sloped front and side yard, not against it. We also had to consider that, with every choice we made in the design, we needed to be mindful of the very modern, contemporary vibe of the home. So rustic boulders, rolling hills, and crowded flower beds were all out of the picture. Instead, we knew we needed to install some retaining walls that match the exterior of the home without overpowering it, so we went with white concrete and clean, white brick.
As far as the green parts of the yard, or the “softscape” we knew we needed to opt for uniformity and modern shapes. So we added boxwoods, a little color, and ornamental grass to the plan. The boxwoods line the front entry and other areas, salvia for a pop of color, and ornamental grass planted in clean lines to enhance the contemporary look of the home.
Then, to frame the property and provide privacy, we added a row of hornbeams.
Finally, we made sure that all the pathways in our design were white, square pavers. This gave us the flexibility to add them to the side yard, front entry, and other areas, creating a cohesive look that matches the exterior of the home.
Structures Incorporated Into the Landscape Design
With any sloped yard, we incorporate retaining walls and block walls to help create flat space and add dimension to the landscape. For the main retaining wall that surrounds the yard, we opted for plain white cement, matching the exterior of the home without pulling the attention from it.
Then, in the areas nearest the front entrance we used a block wall, made of the same material as the front porch support beams. We also opted for the clean lines of poured concrete for the steps to the front entrance, but to soften them up we added grass between each step.
We used a mix of both cement walls and block walls to create raised beds for shrubs and flowers, lined by boxwoods. This tied both wall types together, helping to create an intentional look to the space.
Front Yard Landscaping On The White Landscaping Project
All of the elements we sourced in our design had to come together in a way that didn’t feel like different sections of the yard, and in order to help the space feel unified we used the same mulch, gravel, pavers, and plants on every level of the retaining walls. Using clean lines in the pavers, opting for a dark mulch to contrast with the white retaining walls and block walls, and planting ornamental grasses and boxwoods, we created a space that, even with different levels, feels like one space.
Not only does the yard feel like one flowing area, but it also blends beautifully with the wood, black and white exterior of the home, creating a cohesive look for the whole space.
Let Us Plan (And Plant!) Your Landscape
Your home is as unique as you are, and creating a landscape design that matches both can be challenging. Add in the complications of a sloped yard on a corner lot, with a very specific aesthetic, and most landscape professionals would balk at the complexity and work required. But our team at Big Rock Landscaping only saw the White project as an invigorating opportunity to show off our expert landscape design and installation skills. We loved creating the design for the home, using all our creative and analytical skills to produce a truly cohesive, beautiful space. Our process helps us take every project from a simple plan to an exquisite yard, all while keeping your clients involved and happy. Whatever your landscape design challenge may be, let our team tackle it head-on. Let us take your dreams for your yard and make them a reality, so this time next year you can enjoy your landscape like never before. Contact us today to create your dream yard, we can’t wait to hear from you!
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