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Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
The problem this Memorial-Houston homeowner faced was that her sumptuous contemporary home, an austere series of interconnected cubes of various sizes constructed from white stucco, black steel and glass, did not have the proper landscaping frame. It was out of scale. Imagine Robert Motherwell's "Black on White" painting without the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston's generous expanse of white walls surrounding it. It would still be magnificent but somehow...off.
Intuitively, the homeowner realized this issue and started interviewing landscape designers. After talking to about 15 different designers, she finally went with one, only to be disappointed with the results. From the across-the-street neighbor, she was then introduced to Exterior Worlds and she hired us to correct the newly-created problems and more fully realize her hopes for the grounds. "It's not unusual for us to come in and deal with a mess. Sometimes a homeowner gets overwhelmed with managing everything. Other times it is like this project where the design misses the mark. Regardless, it is really important to listen for what a prospect or client means and not just what they say," says Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds.
Since the sheer size of the house is so dominating, Exterior Worlds' overall job was to bring the garden up to scale to match the house. Likewise, it was important to stretch the house into the landscape, thereby softening some of its severity. The concept we devised entailed creating an interplay between the landscape and the house by astute placement of the black-and-white colors of the house into the yard using different materials and textures. Strategic plantings of greenery increased the interest, density, height and function of the design.
First we installed a pathway of crushed white marble around the perimeter of the house, the white of the path in homage to the house’s white facade. At various intervals, 3/8-inch steel-plated metal strips, painted black to echo the bones of the house, were embedded and crisscrossed in the pathway to turn it into a loose maze.
Along this metal bunting, we planted succulents whose other-worldly shapes and mild coloration juxtaposed nicely against the hard-edged steel. These plantings included Gulf Coast muhly, a native grass that produces a pink-purple plume when it blooms in the fall. A side benefit to the use of these plants is that they are low maintenance and hardy in Houston’s summertime heat.
Next we brought in trees for scale. Without them, the impressive architecture becomes imposing. We placed them along the front at either corner of the house. For the left side, we found a multi-trunk live oak in a field, transported it to the property and placed it in a custom-made square of the crushed marble at a slight distance from the house. On the right side where the house makes a 90-degree alcove, we planted a mature mesquite tree.
To finish off the front entry, we fashioned the black steel into large squares and planted grass to create islands of green, or giant lawn stepping pads. We echoed this look in the back off the master suite by turning concrete pads of black-stained concrete into stepping pads.
We kept the foundational plantings of Japanese yews which add green, earthy mass, something the stark architecture needs for further balance. We contoured Japanese boxwoods into small spheres to enhance the play between shapes and textures.
In the large, white planters at the front entrance, we repeated the plantings of succulents and Gulf Coast muhly to reinforce symmetry. Then we built an additional planter in the back out of the black metal, filled it with the crushed white marble and planted a Texas vitex, another hardy choice that adds a touch of color with its purple blooms.
To finish off the landscaping, we needed to address the ravine behind the house. We built a retaining wall to contain erosion. Aesthetically, we crafted it so that the wall has a sharp upper edge, a modern motif right where the landscape meets the land.
Conscious Environments Inc.
A walkway is bordered with synthetic lawn and drought tolerant landscape w/ Australian natives and succulents. Mexican Beach cobble and white precast concrete are additional accents to this space.
GILL LANDSCAPES
Photo of a small country side yard formal garden in Christchurch with with lawn edging and mulch.
Allard + Roberts Interior Design, Inc
Interior Design: Allard + Roberts Interior Design
Construction: K Enterprises
Photography: David Dietrich Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard deck in Other with with dock and no cover.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard deck in Other with with dock and no cover.
User
Built to last! Custom kayak rack made out of Epay wood from Brazil. This tropical hardwood will not rot or splinter. Designed and made in our shop.
Photo by Mo Fitzgerald
Landscapes & Cie
Clare Obéron
Photo of a country backyard garden in Rennes with gravel and with lawn edging.
Photo of a country backyard garden in Rennes with gravel and with lawn edging.
Double N Landscaping
Inspiration for a large front yard garden in Denver with with lawn edging and river rock.
Bayon Gardens
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard garden in Melbourne with with lawn edging.
Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.
A great example of a front yard makeover that turns a simple sloped front yard with old dead grass and a couple of trees into a functional, beautiful stepped yard that still incorporates some grass but also stepped raised planters, natural rock, and wide substantial concrete steps and sitting areas for tremendous curb appeal!!!
Vince Ortega
Inspiration for a traditional front yard garden in Austin with with lawn edging and concrete pavers.
Lisa Cox Landscape Design
After completing a stunning modern renovation of the interior, this young couple and their one year old son were ready to tackle the back yard. After refurbishing the "Spool" and designing a contemporary plant palette, the end result allowed a place to entertain family and friends.
Photo by Rich Cox/ Rich Cox Photography
Precision Deck & Fence
This large backyard makeover places a heavy focus on the deck. Made of high end Azek PVC decking, it will last a lifetime. Go for a swim or simply relax and enjoy the view. Spend some time in the hot tub or enjoy a meal with friends at the outdoor dining table. This project embodies outdoor living and all it was meant to be.
Big Rock Landscaping
A complete view of this stunning front yard gives the full scope of the space- the lawn, shrubs, retaining walls, gravel, and pavers. This home is a prime example of the benefit of hiring a landscape design and installation team can do for a space.
Double N Landscaping
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard full sun xeriscape in Denver with with lawn edging, river rock and a wood fence.
Vetter Architects
A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture
Timberlake Custom Homes
This Craftsman lake view home is a perfectly peaceful retreat. It features a two story deck, board and batten accents inside and out, and rustic stone details.
Phillips Brothers Contracting Inc.
The boathouse has two interior slots for boats with exterior lifts for smaller water craft. An upper deck is complete with a grill, fans and lighting to enjoy all throughout the day. The accent corbels give this a grand appearance.
Landmark Horticultural Management
Design ideas for a country backyard deck in New York with with dock.
Robert M. Cain, Architect
Award-winning pond dock for family home.
Photo credit: Rob Karosis
This is an example of a large industrial backyard deck in Atlanta with with dock.
This is an example of a large industrial backyard deck in Atlanta with with dock.
Old Hampshire Designs Inc
John. W. Hession, photographer.
Built by Old Hampshire Designs, Inc.
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard deck in Boston with with dock and a roof extension.
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard deck in Boston with with dock and a roof extension.
Outdoor Design Ideas with with Dock and with Lawn Edging
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