Case Study
Relaxing Windsor Farms Retreat
Background
Designed in 1926, Windsor Farms is one of Richmond's first planned neighborhoods. Designed to look like a traditional English village, Windsor Farms is a peaceful area whose leafy, winding streets are lined with Colonial Revival homes. With brick walkways throughout, this friendly neighborhood is always bustling with homeowners on a walk or jog. Just across the river, only minutes away, the James River Park Wetlands is a popular place for homeowners to kayak and birdwatch. The unique shopping experience of Carytown, located only a minute away, is another popular amenity of the neighborhood.
Client Needs
For many years, the backyard of this Windsor Farms property provided a growing family with open space for fun and memories. As the children got older, schedules became busier and the backyard suddenly went unused and unmaintained. With their children no longer in need of an open yard for playing, the homeowner decided it was time to upgrade the backyard and create a unique space for the family to gather and create new memories.
Design Phase
Along with becoming overgrown with aging shrubs and invasive plants, this backyard no longer met the needs of a family with teenage children. The backyard required less open space for play and more useful features like off-street parking for the family's increased number of vehicles. The family also wanted a unique space to encourage quality time together and make their house "the place" where everyone wanted to gather.
Build Phase, Challenges, and Finish
The biggest obstacle of this project arose almost immediately. The homeowner's original patio was a textbook example of improper build practices. To start, the patio was built with an insufficient foundation that measured only a couple of inches deep and was composed of the wrong material (stone dust). The patio did not have a drainage system and, to make matters worse, it sloped back towards the house. The result of these poor build practices was years of water pooling against the foundation of the house, both above and below the patio surface. We completely excavated the old patio and remediated the soil underneath it before beginning to build the new patio.
2 Paver Patio Areas
Pavilion with Metal Roof
Steps down from backdoor
Gas Fireplace
Pond and Waterfall
Off-Street Parking
Custom Shed
Park-Like Landscape
Low Voltage LED Lighting
Aluminum Fencing
Stepping Stone Walkway
Additional Points of Interests
The design features numerous exciting elements including a pavilion-covered patio, gas fireplace, outdoor TV and audio, water feature, stepping stone walkway, driveway with parking area, custom shed, powder-coated aluminum fence, and a new landscape that completes the relaxing and natural atmosphere. Without question, the resulting space is true backyard transformation.
The Perfect Place for Game Days and More...
The pavilion-covered patio and fireplace was the driving force behind the project. Fans of multiple sports, the clients wanted a unique space where they could sit and enjoy a game, no matter the sport or season.
The fireplace was designed to be large enough to hold the outdoor television and warm enough to make the space usable throughout the year. With fire only a click away, the gas feature entices them to use the space more often.
The pavilion structure helps to control the environment and enhance the ambiance. Whether it is a surprise rain shower or the intense sun of a summer day, the pavilion structure protects anyone enjoying the space. Additionally, cove lighting is installed to light up the rafters, creating an unbeatable ambiance when the sun goes down.
The resulting space turned out even better than the clients had hoped, and they find themselves using it for more than just game days.
Rebuilding a Special Feature
An important element of this project was reclaiming a water feature that had been built by the family. The equipment had died years before, and the structure had become engulfed by invasive dwarf bamboo. If it weren’t for the mosquitoes and the sound of frogs, no one would have known the feature was there.
After thoroughly removing the bamboo, we rebuilt the structure using the existing stone and fiberglass basin. To create a substantial waterfall and add bulk to the feature, we incorporated larger stone slabs and boulders. Additionally, a new pump was installed with a valve that allows the homeowner to slow the waterfall and decrease its sound while enjoying the TV.
The rebuilt feature is a stunning focal point that adds the relaxing sound of running water to the space.
Mixing in North American Natives
Along with retaining a few existing plants, the client wanted to incorporate native plants into the design. The final design featured a landscape composed of approximately 60% plants native to North America. As with most landscapes featuring native plants, the finished space has a relaxed, park-like atmosphere.
Plant Combination: ‘Moonglow’ Juniper, ‘Alice’ Oakleaf Hydrangea, ‘Moonbeam’ Coreopsis, Goat’s Beard, ‘Cinnamon’ Fern, ‘Hayscented’ Fern, ‘Boursault’ Catawba Rhododendron, ‘Shamrock’ Inkberry, Purple Coneflower, ‘Wintergreen’ Boxwood, ‘Plum Pudding’ Heuchera, ‘Rosanne’ Cranesbill, and Pachysandra.
Holiday Decorating Tips for your Patio or Deck
Holiday Decorating Tips for your Patio or Deck
Whether you're incorporating your outdoor living space into your holiday gatherings or you simply want to see something festive when you look out your back windows, our tips will help you to create a beautiful holiday scene on your patio, deck, or porch.