NSPJ Architects / Cathy Kudelko
Home design - transitional home design idea in Kansas City

This client asked Firefly Garden Design for a large perennial border as well as screening from their neighbors. Western arborvitae will eventually provide a dense screen

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Diamond Kote Maple LP 8 inch lap Photo Courtesy of Diamond Kote
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Custom Steel Canale Cover + Rain Chain Waterfall installed over an existing wooden canale. Kason Group Inc.

I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures. One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically. I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool. I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together. The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection. The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather. Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience. The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.

Brick Pier
Elegant exterior home photo in Boston

Architecture & Construction by: Harmoni Designs + Build Photography: Harmoni Designs, LLC.
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This large driveway gate is locally handcrafted in cedar at our wood shop. The gate provides security and strength while having a unique character.
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Spring bulbs accentuate the artistic placement of the boulders in the rockery.
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Taking advantage of the hollow interiors of our aluminum frames, this homeowner ran wire through and drilled holes in their railing for small bulbs that delicately line their new deck in light, perfect for evening entertainment.

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Fors residence, Coral Gables Miami. knoll landscape design miami designer brent knoll blue bamboo in tropical garden with pink roses and yellow flowers

This butterfly garden was designed by Alan Mumford and installed by Landscape Images, ltd, on the grounds of a private girl’s school located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is designed not only as a learning center for understanding the butterfly life cycle, but it’s also a fun whimsical space to spark the imagination of each child who enters it. Along the curving paths are information stations for each cycle of the butterfly life. The garden is rich with nectar producing plants to host the many different types of butterflies that can be present year round in south Louisiana, while ensuring to not pose a health or safety threat to the children in the school ranging from pre-school to 12th grade.

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