The Transformation & Preservation of a Steep, Wooded Property
A North Carolina home gets problem-solving paths and beautiful outdoor spaces
- Location: Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina
- Property size: 1 acre
- Budget: 200k
Word of mouth referrals from neighbors lead the owners of this steep, wooded property to hire Greenleaf Services, a residential landscape design, build and maintain company based in Linville. They wanted to update the landscape surrounding their home so they could better use it as a weekend getaway and a place to host family functions or entertain friends and clients.
Browse this slideshow to see the finished landscape.
Greenleaf Services
Linville, NC
As you approach the front entrance, a cascading water feature flows beneath your feet. Large, flat stones were used to bridge the water. "The boulders and stones used on this project were hand selected based on color, texture and similarity to the site's native stone," explains Edward Snyder, owner of Greenleaf.
An existing natural stream behind the home was also bridged with hand selected pieces of stone. The homeowners asked that the natural features, plants and trees be preserved because of their aesthetic value and the privacy they created.
One of the biggest challenges on this property was drainage. "Grades were as steep as 12% and runoff from the higher elevations plagued the house with drainage problems," says Snyder. Along the north side of the home, a pea gravel walkway with a matrix of hidden drains doubles as stormwater management.
Behind the home an outdoor gathering area was created. Soil removal, grading and terracing helped create a gentler slope. Masonry walls were used to elevate the patio seven feet above grade. The patio was paved with Crab Orchard random stone and wet laid for durability. The patio also leads to a deck with a hot tub.
The fire pit was built into the edge of the patio to take advantage of views of the natural stream that runs through the ravine below. "You can sit on the boulders, warm your back by the fire and take in the sounds of the stream and the view of the mountain," says Snyder.
Landscape lighting along the paths ensures safety and adds welcoming warmth to the property. Greenleaf's crew installed the fixtures after the rest of the project was complete. "We only had five days to meet the owner's deadline, so we worked through the weekend and finished just in time on Sunday afternoon," recalls Snyder.
La Mesa path lights from Kichler, as well as fixtures from Cast Lighting were used.
It's hard to believe that this property once looked like this before photo. Snyder and the Greenleaf team did a wonderful job transforming it into an attractive, functional and site appropriate landscape. Their hard work was recognized with a 2011 Grand/Judges Award from PLANET in the Residential Landscape Contracting category.
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Contributing Author: Sarah Hutchinson, contributing writer for Landscaping Network |
