Metamorphosis Landscape Design – 2014-2015 LINLA Gold Medal Award Winner – Category: Single Family Residence

In the classic village of Huntington many historical homes can be found. Families that have been in the community have done so for years, even generations. One such home can be found on Dewey Street. With the purchase of the corner lot next to the home of her mother, the next generation of residents was secure. The home needed extensive renovations, to the point of an almost complete re-build. Due to the tight dimensions of the lot, building up the space needed for this active family was going to take up all the space that was allowed. This extensive renovation would however provide the new homeowners with the opportunity to update the neighborhood in a classic style with a modern approach.

The design elements to be included was a fairly simple list. Clean simple lines with classic materials were requested. The front yard was to be clean in design, classic plant materials and hedging typical to the surroundings. Seasonal color where it was opportune but nothing messy and out of control. The detail given to the house in both exterior and interior design speaks for itself. Classic architectural elements were used including copper gutters and extensive trim work. Our job was to compliment, if even to yield to the house itself. The rear yard had two simple requests, a swimming pool and privacy. Due to the small lot availability it would be difficult to provide extensive play areas for the children, but with family living next door a play area could be provided there.

Keeping in tradition with homes in the area, all hardscape areas used pavers which resemble natural stones. This allowed for soft, natural colors to be used. Banding and misdirection with in the fields of pavers provide interest. The driveway, front and side walkways, and rear patio all were finished in paver. Entry piers at both the front and side of the home mark entry from the sidewalk. Due to the side street being a main source of parking, it appears as though the residence has two entry points. Cultured stone that matches the chimney was used to keep consistency. The front and side of the property was planted with traditional boxwood, azalea, rhododendron, and blue spruce. Accented with a simple perennial palette, the planting fits to the small scale of the front yard. An estate fence establishes property boundaries in classic fashion.

In the design process it was determined that the rear of the property would need to be raised due to slope. A segmental block wall along the rear and side of the property was built to support the new pool area. This wall also helped to provide a planting area where large evergreens could be placed to provide screening from the side street and the neighboring home behind them. This created the opportunity of a focal point. A cultured stone accent wall was created. Finished in the same stone as the piers and chimney, sheer descents were added as both an audio and visual element. But to bring it to the next level, fire bowls were installed to create a dramatic evening display. A casual seating area next to the pool and an area for sun loungers were both provided using large, Aberdeen style paver slabs. The simple lines of the rectangular pool allowed for maximizing the usable space. A retractable cover adds extra piece of mind when it comes to safety and maintenance. The outdoor dining area is a fantastic experience with the addition of an outdoor fireplace. Located in a porch like setting attached to the house, this space is the perfect setting to enjoy a meal by the fire, all the while overlooking the spectacular elements of fire and water.

The simplicity of the designs as viewed from the front of the house keeps in the tradition of the neighborhood. The paving stones are a modern alternative to natural stone without losing the character desired. The overall concept was achieved using modern elements in a classic fashion, making this newly renovated home a Modern Classic.