Woodland Craftsman

This project started from the homeowners’ need to have an easier and safer way to access their lakefront dock and patio. The house sits on a steep slope above the lake and the slippery old bluestone steps were becoming difficult for the homeowner to navigate. As a replacement, we chose an even width and rise snapped black granite slab step for longevity, resistance to chipping, and ease of walking.

A natural stream wrapped from the upper slope of the house, around to the lower level, and ended in a small pond, and the homeowner wanted to continue the flow of water down the hill. The new water feature connected the pond to a stream that meandered down the hill and traveled under the steps on its way to the lake, utilizing a custom waterfall crafted from a hollowed-out log.

The homeowner also wanted a low-maintenance planting throughout the hillside landscape. There were many existing trees, which were a priority for slope stability and lakeside screening, so we took steps to carefully minimize our impact on the existing trees while adding evergreen and deciduous specimen trees and shrubs for height and interest in the nooks created by the hardscaping. As the plantings progressed down the slope, they transitioned to low-maintenance ground covers with a more natural, native feel, peppered with a few ornamental plants to add seasonal color. Finally, the plantings transition to large swaths of native grasses, while varieties of irises follow the stream to mimic a natural look and masses of ferns populate the more wooded areas.