Let’s take another visit to the lake home and landscape project by East Coast Landscape.  In the last post we traveled down natural stone steps alongside a well-built and engineered waterfeature.

We’re now almost to the shoreline and standing on a wide path covered in woodchips.  This path actually travels a roundabout and gradual climb up to the main house.  It serves as both an alternate route for a casual (and longer) stroll, and also provides access for smaller equipment to get closer to the lake.

Combining Natural and Man-Made Elements

It is at this point where the cascading water coming down the rocky slope meets with a natural stream.

Alan Goodell from East Coast Landscape explains how this convergence of the two water features was handled.  At the base of the slope a retention pond was built using more boulders to echo the existing rockery.  Both the natural stream and the constructed waterfall enter into this pond.

While looking like just another natural occurring feature, this engineered pond allows the two water sources to be “managed” properly.  A weir is built below one of the bridges as part of the water management system.  The water flow and level of the pond can be adjusted as needed.

On the other side of the bridge the water exits after flowing over the pond weir.  This last part of the journey for the water before entering the lake is another display of cascades over rockery.

Notice how the plantings between the stone helps to unite the boulder groupings and then visually ties everything in to the surroundings.  I actually had to look closely to distinguish between the natural and man-made parts of the project.

The Beach And Dock Area

From the wood chip path there’s only a short stretch to the lake.  East Coast constructed a wide belgian block ramp that leads to the open-front pavilion.

The belgian block cobble provides a stable, strong surface.  It naturally has a nubby texture for traction and sure-footing.  Belgian block, as a dimensional, thick, heavy paver can conform to the subtleties of the slope.   Also, its gray tones blend well with the surroundings.  I like the way the belgian block pavers combine to meet the flagstone in front of the pavilion.  Different paving elements that connect can be challenging in design.

The pavilion has an open-front and together with the flagstone patio offers a spacious room for all sorts of activities. From the pavilion there are several stone slab-steps to the beach and dock area.

The trek from the house down to the lake was certainly not an effort.  In fact, I wish it had continued!

In design, if you can bring people to a point where they are no longer thinking about the clock and perhaps what else they should be doing, you’ve created something special.

On a project like this it is an appreciation and respect for the surroundings.  The natural conditions are simply too powerful to try and manipulate them in any other way than how they naturally want to be.

His job is to “eye-up” the top line of each belgian block and shout directions to the guy with the hammer. The belgian block is sitting in fresh cement, and by tapping the block with the hammer it can be adjusted in small increments to get it just right.

As antiquated as this method may seem, there is simply no substitute. Of course I should tell you that the pitch and grades for this driveway and curbing were all set using a laser level. String lines are often used as reference points to ensure proper pitch.

It’s always interesting to watch the different trades mix modern day technology with good old fashion know-how.

Good Things To Know About Belgian Block Curbing

In the proper order of things, the curbing heights should be anticipated early on in the project because the top of the finished curb dictates surrounding grades.  You need to know this right from the beginning so you can plan your grading and drainage work accordingly.

Consider installing any PVC sleeves and/or conduits before belgian block curbing goes in.  These curbs have concrete footings that will be difficult to contend with if you need to get a pipe through them.

Remember to discuss “curb reveal” early on as well.  Curb reveal is the amount of curb face showing on the pavement side. Typically on residential properties we like to show approximately 4″ of curb.  This, of course, can vary according to personal taste and circumstance.

Municipal codes and regulations come into play at times, particularly near and along public roads. Visit the town zoning & engineering office to check.  Don’t find out it’s in violation after it’s installed. Ouch!

Lastly, I want to mention “drop curbs”.  These are stretches in the normal curb-line where the top of the curb gradually slopes down to become flush with the paving.

Not only do drop curbs look nice by keeping the curb line “continuous,” but they structurally maintain the supportive edge (on both sides).  Whether it’s asphalt, decorative gravel or paver bricks, a structural edge like belgian block is best.  It’s a permanent feature that will forever support and contain the surfaces.

This was one of those consults you go on where you pretty much know what the problem/challenge is before you even knock on the door.

The front of the house was beautifully landscaped and seemed to extend a warm welcome as I approached. But toward the end of the driveway I got another feeling and it wasn’t welcoming. The homeowners were right-on with their observations and requests.

“We’re not comfortable going into the backyard from the driveway and certainly not comfortable inviting our guests this way.”

The back woodland area was overgrown and unkempt, which made it even more unsightly. In addition, there was no feature to invite and lead you into the backyard. The sloping ground didn’t help matters either.

The first step was to tag & remove all the undesirable trees and rough grade. This phase called preliminary sitework organizes the property and helps give a clear vision of what you have to work with.

Bluestone was chosen to build dry-laid walls to manage the slope. Right away we are drawn to the more graduated levels. The hand-tooled bluestone walls bring structure and a sense of order to the area.

Solid bluestone slab-steps were used to create a connection between the woodland and the home. The stone steps send a message of invite into the backyard and to the deck. The subtle use of native fieldstone boulders adds another element of harmony.

We used the same pavers of the driveway for the landing to the stone steps adding continuity to the backyard landscape.

Belgian Block Driveway Apron

The Driveway Entrance

It can be a nice touch to come up with an interesting design element for the driveway entrance. This is where folks are first welcomed onto the property.

The possibilities might include stone or brick piers, landscape walls, woodworking, plantings and perhaps a decorative driveway apron. Any of these (or a combination of) will draw attention – this is exactly what you’re trying to do.

After visitors enter the drive you can influence their direction from there with line design and other design strategies.

Paver Brick Driveway Apron

The driveway apron can be a very cost effective way to make an elegant introduction to your home.

If a new driveway is planned the decorative apron can be installed along with the new drive. Varying circumstances & materials often dictate the order of construction.

Typically for a new driveway we’ll install the driveway apron after the entire base has been prepared and before the asphalt goes down.  We’ll cover the new apron with tarps and a double-layer of plywood.  We’ll also support and protect the apron edge where it will meet the asphalt.

A driveway apron can also be installed on an existing driveway.

For example, for an asphalt drive the asphalt is cut and removed. The area is then excavated and the base prepared. The driveway apron material of choice is then finally installed.

When installing a driveway apron on an existing driveway, make the cut where the apron meets the existing drive last. You’ll know exactly where to cut and that edge will be less likely damaged during construction.

There are many choices for the materials you can use for the apron including natural stone, brick pavers, concrete pavers and Belgian Block (as pictured above).

I mentioned “base preparation” earlier, and this is especially critical with driveway work. For any type of “dry-laid” construction you should have 10″ of compacted base material.

For a masonry or “wet-laid” driveway apron, you want a substantial base of compacted gravel (4-6″ of 3/4″ crushed) and then a steel reinforced concrete slab (6-8″) to wet-lay your decorative material on.

The wear and weight loads this surface gets will be extreme. Build it right from the base up and you will not have problems.

Before

The Landscape Renovation

A complete landscape design was developed which included most of the items on the homeowner’s “wish list”.

The property had some challenging characteristics that had to be considered such as deep shade and competitive root systems.  These two often go together.

Kearney Stone was used for the walls, front walk, landings and slab-steps. Fieldstone boulders were found on the property and used in the design to unify the home with the surroundings.

Some of the plant material selections for this landscape renovation came from the homeowner’s list, but always with a consideration for each plant’s characteristics and requirements. There’s a balanced mix of evergreens, deciduous plants, groundcovers and perennials. No matter what the season there’s always something going on plant wise.

Beacon Pathlight

There are low path lights called “beacons” which you can hardly see, yet they light the walk & steps beautifully. These lights were chosen because the family has a dog that runs free on property and we didn’t want pathlights that could be broken.

The wood lamp post from Walpole Woodworkers marks the entrance to the front walk. Day or night the woodwork of this post brings the architecture of the home out into the landscape.

With smart plant selection, proper spacing and arranging, these gardens grow with minimal maintenance. It should be a very long time before a landscape renovation should ever be considered again. In fact, with proper care and maintenance, this landscape should outlive us all.

After

After

After

There needed to be a separation between these two spaces as well as a “point of entry” or gateway to the backyard.

This handcrafted garden arbor design by Walpole Woodworkers satisfied both requirements. It’s built from a PVC composite material made by AZEK, which is virtually maintenance free and will not rot.  Even close up it’s hard to tell it’s not wood.

The benefits are felt on both sides of this garden arbor design and planted separation. The parking area now has a clearly defined space & purpose without mixing with the living area in the backyard. And when the visitor finally passes through the arbor…well, I’ll let you be the judge.