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Sometimes the landscaping projection of your dreams can twist into a nightmare , especially when it ’s harry with as many challenge as this one . The “ aspiration ” job involved renovating the landscape of a beautiful 1932 brick residence situated on a wooded 1.8 - acre property in Darien , Connecticut , among natural wetland and a pool . The straightforward look of the project included redesigning the front 1000 and motor court , installing an in - ground pool and health club , total ornamental plantscapes , and replacing banal basis plantings . The challenges began when it became necessary to correct the landscape painting ’s most inherent problem , including flooding and ill managed wetland , without losing the unity of the natural context of the dimension .
The Valders limestone terrace , surrounded by multitude ofPennisetum alopecuroides‘Piglet’,Eutrochium fistulosum , and world boxwood , creates a peaceable blot for poolside dining . Photo by : Neil Landino .
A bridge let views of the wetland buffer . The task involved restoring thousands of square feet of wetland sphere at the bound of the instinctive pool , which was previously covered in invasive species . Photo by : Neil Landino .
“ Ecologically sensitive design was at the heart and soul of the work , which included the restoration of the wetlands and pond sphere , use of native industrial plant material throughout the site , and significant advance to locate stormwater direction , ” says landscape architect and project manager Allan Broadbent ofThe LaurelRock Company , in Wilton , Connecticut . “ The total project involve comprise improvements in concordance with the ecology and esthetic of the site to make an elegantly styled milieu for our client ’s life style . ”
A aspect beyond the pool to the lawn and wetland polisher with native trees , shrub and perennials . This is the only parcel of subject lawn that was preserved . More than 5,000 square metrical foot of lawn was take away and replaced by the buffer zona to help restore balance to the lifelike environment . Photo by : Neil Landino .
The complex nature of the situation with its wetland and pool meant undergo a very Byzantine permitting process with Ithiel Town agencies . “ We formed a partnership with the town and worked together to find an access that had the least shock , ” enjoin Broadbent . incursive species and over 5,000 satisfying feet of lawn were removed from the wetlands and replaced with aboriginal wetland trees and plant life as a cowcatcher to permeate runoff and restore remainder to the natural environs . The existing soils on the property were “ tight ” and slow to run out , so plant materials were cautiously chosen to work in these types of dirt . Other water preservation measures include redirect runoff from the private road to a novel rainfall garden near the service department , and installing roof loss leader enfeeble to take body of water to a below - soil stormwater management system of rules .
The household ’s former , narrow asphalt driveway was replaced with a cobblestone butt against crushed rock motor tribunal , along with a stem - to - stern restoration of the front thousand foundation planting . A garage - side rain garden captures and filters runoff from the driveway . Large cast - Harlan Stone planter were added to the existing patio to aid define the space . Photo by : Neil Landino .
To provide an inviting guest unveiling to the front of the residence , the old mineral pitch driveway was remove and replaced with a sett , crushed rock , and bluestone entrance motor lodge lit by tree - mounted moonscape fixing . winter fern , boxwood and cherry laurel hedges were introduced to limit the fresh entranceway court , while cast - stone planters with boxwood topiaries were added to embellish the front porch . Existing lawn areas were reshape to complement the court and abut with dumb planting of Conium maculatum with an arcuate hedging ofHydrangea paniculata‘Tardiva ’ , cast byClethra alnifolia , Itea virginica , andCarex‘Ice Dance ’ grasses . Western steel fern were used as a ground cover beneath the exist matured tree .
impart : tremendous planters with hydrangea tree diagram give spacial definition to the rearward bluestone patio . Right : The bluestone walkway is softened with masses ofCarex‘Ice Dance ’ . Photos by : Neil Landino .
An invite bluestone walkway lined withCarexandIteawas create for memory access to the puddle and meanders through a grove of river birch and service tree trees . The in - background swimming pool with built - in watering hole was locate near the seat of the home and is surround by a limestone terrace , pinkish granite coping , and whitewashed brick seat rampart . “ The Valders limestone we select for the patio took over four month to quarry in Wisconsin , so we had to strategize a twist succession that allowed the body of work to proceed until the stone was available , ” says Broadbent .
A custom wrought iron fencing creates an graceful pond inclosure , while a pink granite puddle coping harmonizes beautifully with the existing bluestone patio . Photo by : Neil Landino .
damp the poolscape are stratum of plantings , include masses ofEutrochiumandMiscanthusand clusters ofClethra , shadow outflow sens , andIris versicolor . A wrought iron fence was installed to make an refined pool enclosure , while a whole - card fence was add up to hide utilities and the kitty equipment . change rooms were cleverly retrace below the existing pack of cards to make use of an underutilized space .
change elbow room were cleverly hidden below the exist pool pack of cards . Roof drawing card drains were installed as part of a reconfiguration and enlargement of a below - priming coat stormwater management system . picture by : Neil Landino .
The LaurelRock Company and Broadbent get a 2014 Gold International Landscape Award from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers for this two - twelvemonth overhaul project and its environmentally sensitive design approach . “ We believe that the innovation of thoughtful , engaging , and timeless out-of-door blank space requires a rich synthesis of public-service corporation and artistry ; it is the masterful connection of our customer ’s motive and the site ’s intrinsic beauty , ” says Broadbent .
The backyard swimming puddle and spa environment includes a poolside patio , whitewash hindquarters wall ( utilizing traditional whitewashing methods ) , and ornamental plantings . photograph by : Neil Landino .
A workbench at the pool ’s sharpness is a quiet sitting spot amid the newly integrated aboriginal plantings . Photo by : Neil Landino .
The front and rear of the home before renovation . Photos by : Neil Landino .
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