STONE SCENERY
The owners of a new home being built in rural Marengo were very enthusiastic about all things stone, and they gave us the opportunity to show off our abilities working with natural hardscapes. The expansive home itself was a unique mix of formal lines and rustic materials, and we continued that theme to help connect the house to the surroundings, even carying the marble from the foyer out into the front walk.
A series of stairs and terraces leading from the driveway to the front door were designed and built of a unique rust and buff colored Sandstone. Working directly with a quarry in Wisconsin, we specified a mix of formal snap-faced steps and wall stone for the front yard and massive pieces of outcropping for a wall and steps behind the house. Bluestone paving was used throughout, repeating the rustic stone textures and matching the roofing color.
Native landscape plantings were chosen to harrmonize with the setting, emphasizing the colors inherent in the change of seasons, but still allowing the owners room to personalize some of the garden spaces.
Excavation begins for a large outcropping wall with a stairway and a pondless waterfall.
Large pieces of sandstone outcropping are set with an excavator at the base of the wall.
The steps and first four courses of the wall are set and backfilled with washed gravel.
The steps are complete with the wall over 7 feet tall and still going up.
The finished wall required over 30 tons of gravel, using geofabrics and drain tile to stabilize it.
Pumps are installed, and the waterfall gets its first test.
Used clay pavers are inlaid in the bluestone patio under the deck.
Hardscape construction begins at the front of the house.
Retaining walls and steps of cut sandstone lead up to the front door.
The cut stone has a more formal look appropriate for the front of the house.
The front walk is natural Bluestone bordered with cut Sandstone chosen to match the walls.
Backyard walkways are also Bluestone in a curving layout including an octagon of used bricks.
Planting beds are rototilled with mushroom compost and graded before planting begins.
Backyard plantings begin with a group of River Birch.
Front yard plantings feature a group of serviceberry underplanted with woodland natives.
Irrigation and lighting are installed near the completed bluestone landing and steps leading to the garage.
Shade-loving plantings line the front walk with their lush foliage.
Plant combinations at the front door enhance the rustic character of the house and setting.
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