 Cantilevered deck that once overlooked the St. Joseph River. I'm working on a very exciting project right now. In my typical fashion, I've been mulling it over in my head for the past couple of weeks (or months, as it may be). I usually have a number of designs stewing in there, but this one is special...you see, I get to re-imagine the landscaping on a 1959 Frank Lloyd Wright home! Oh sure, part of what we'll be doing is just sprucing up the existing landscape....trimming 50 year old yews, roping in the ivy and clearing the legs of some deer eaten arborvitae, BUT I also get to come up with a new design for some pretty important areas of the lot. I'll be designing new plantings in a 3'x40' bed that greets you at the entrance to the home, 4 large stand along planters, a simple bed at the end of the driveway and an Asian "zen" garden overlooking the St. Joseph River behind the master bedroom. Here are some "before" teaser shots: 
Are you feeling the "Zen"?
Front door is to the right, kitchen door is to the left.
The entire house is made from recycled street bricks from Benton Harbor, MI.
Planters on wheels that match the facsia of the house.
Not so sure about the painter tape blue accents...
Challenges include keeping the overall design leaning towards the Asian as the client wishes, while honoring the architecture and history of the house. We also have a herd of deer, rampant English Ivy, and heavy clay soil to contend with.
Did I mention the home will be on two tours this fall, and is currently under heavy renovation? I believe I'll keep mulling it over for a while.... You can read up on the history of The Carl Schultz House while I'm contemplating. |