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3D landscape design

They bought a large home which had been remodeled several times on an estate size lot within an established prestige neighborhood in Athens, GA.   As you will see, we found many spaces with great potential.  We met the day after closing, and I said "This is better than Christmas!"  because I look forward to each day with great anticipation.  The 40+ yr old house had a few problems among the many opportunities.  The steps and retaining walls were dangerous and falling apart.  We decided to go for a naturalistic, low maintenance, mountain stream rock garden, and waterfalls that will be attractive to wildlife, and very maintenance. Waterfall construction slide show

Stone Drive > made of natural stone on crushed stone base. Faux stone stamped concrete  would have cost $30,000 for this drive.  We are building the real thing for half that much!  Boulderwalls, natural waterfalls, solid stone steps, stone patio, garden pond, and low maintenance river stone mulch, landscaping with various colors and textures, drip irrigation, and low voltage lighting.

Rear yard greenhouse, patio, and paths

This estate lot was planted 20 years ago by a gardener who didn't anticipate how large and imposing her plantings would become. This compound had been added several times including a very innovative multi use building including a  greenhouse, potting shed, poolhouse, bath house, and outdoor kitchen which separates the side yard from the swimming pool.  The existing concrete path directed traffic away from the creek and gave no opportunity to enjoy the undeveloped left over space.  We created a patio, sitting wall, and waterfall viewing area that has become a favorite spot.  We drained the standing water which has eliminated the mosquito swarms so the dappled shade of the hardwoods and the soothing sounds of the creek are enjoyed pest free.

Waterfall in natural stream  We discovered a natural stream flowing through the property.  We researched the local and state codes and pertaining to state watershed protection before proceeding.  There was an old concrete block dam the previous owners built to impound irrigation water.  We demolished it and built a waterfall that you can walk across 30ft upstream from the original waterfall.  The watershed above this dam is 20+ acres, so the stream flow varies considerably.  We built a stand pipe and overflow channel similar to farm ponds and lakes.   We lined the stream with river stones and riverstone mulch to eliminate erosion while creating a beautifully naturalistic landscape.

>Back steps to swimming pool and pool filters  We found the pool filters separated from the swimming pool by dangerous steps.  The trick was to design steps that connected all the spaces (creek, patio, swimming pool, and filters) in a safe and beautiful manner.  We used blocks in ways the manufacturers never dreamed of by trimming them where needed to create corners and curves of various radii.

< Pool house  We found a 25 year old cabana and outdoor kitchen that was ahead of it's time when built.  We updated it in several ways.  We design projects in tropical regions where the insects would prevent enjoyment of the outdoors except for the invention of exterior grade fans. Mosquitoes can't fly in 5+mph breeze, so if you have fans, you don't need insect screens.

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