Residential Hardscape Installation $15,000-$30,000
— Bronze Award, Wenger Residence
The Wenger’s worked with our designer to create a more updated formal entrance to their outdated 1950’s brick rancher. Looking at both manufactured pavers and natural Pennsylvania Bluestone, the Wenger’s opted for a more timeless look and decided on the bluestone. Using the straight lines of the homes offsets and brick front, our designer mimicked these elements throughout the design, using the square lines of the bluestone, small hedges and decorative stone borders. Our designer created an inviting space as well as implementing other design elements such as, a water fountain feature, landscape lighting and plantings with seasonal interest.
The Wenger property is located on a rolling country hillside, where they are surrounded by farmland on the east and south sides of their property and a spectacular view of the Appalachian Mountains on the north side. Since the property is on an open hillside, strong wind is an environmental concern we had to design around.
Some challenges we faced were working with the imperfections of natural stone as we created a safe walkway. Also, it was our first attempt using mortar to set bluestone over an existing porch, so time management on the project was altered to accommodate the need for proper installation of the bluestone to insure we met the client’s expectations.
We constructed the walkway using natural PA Bluestone cut in 12x12, 12x24 and 24x24 dimensions, installed in a Tudor pattern. The walkway base was constructed to ICPI standards for a paver installation. The existing concrete porches were overlaid with the same bluestone and set in mortar. The facades of the porches were veneered with EP Henry Coventry wall block and pillars were constructed to support the porch posts. To bring in the element of water, a fountain was added as a focal point for the walkway which can be seen and heard from all areas of the front entrance as well as from the kitchen. Low voltage light fixtures were integrated into the porch steps as well as several path and accent lights which provide security as well as highlight plant material, the fountain, the porch pillars and columns as well as the home. We chose plant material which would compliment the layout of the walkway and the home, such as the boxwood hedges. We also utilized plants which have an extended bloom time throughout the seasons and fragrances which can be enjoyed as our clients sat on their front porch.
Each project our company undertakes has its own unique features. Using natural bluestone creates a timeless, tasteful and inviting landscape. It was a real pleasure to see all the unique aspects of the project unfold, from the initial design consultation to the last installed plant, not to mention surpassing our client’s expectations.
Plant List
- Buxus microphylla ‘Wintergreen’ (45)
- Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’ (25)
- Viburnum carlesii (5)
- Rosa ‘Radrazz’ (6)
- Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ – Poodle form (2)
- Lavendula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (11)
- Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns' (9)
- Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (2)
- Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’ (3)
- Rosa ‘Radcon’ (3)
- Cornus Kousa ‘Satomi’ (1)
- Taxus baccata ‘Rependens’ (3)
- Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Penny Mac’ (3)
- Pieris japonica ‘Dorothy Wycoff’ (3)
- Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ (3)
