An Architectural Feature in Your Garden?
Whenever I’m designing a property I always look for an opportunity to create a focal point—an attractive element that visually anchors an outdoor space. I start by identifying a possibility, work up pencil renderings, supplemented with sourced images to help my client imagine and confirm the direction. Scale, size, details, materials and cohesion with other existing elements on the property are always part of the overall plan. Once we nail down the design I finalize measurements and details and shop for costs to build.
The pergola and fountain feature I designed at our Forsythe property was a good example of how you can transform a small, urban backyard into a privatized garden courtyard. The tall Degroot Cedar hedge behind the structure, the raised fountain, the Boxwood hedge and Climbing Hydrangea—plus a variety of rich greens in the surrounding garden beds—created a lovely backdrop for outdoor dining and entertaining. By tiering the garden and using mature plantings, this smaller space took on a grander sense of scale. I was delighted to see it recently featured on Pinterest by House and Home Magazine.
Pergolas, arbors, fence profiles, fountains or water features, garden sheds, sculptures, hardscaping can be an extremely important addition to not only the aesthetic of your property, but to the value of it for your personal enjoyment as well as equity lift. Adorning a home with thoughtful surroundings and well planned landscaping adds immeasurably to the experience of living there and ultimately contributes to the experience of the overall streetscape. I like to think that beautification and maintenance of a property is part of being a good neighbour.
RIC RIORDON
