Tag: pergolas

The Merz House in Brooklyn Heights: Nishiel Patel Reconfigures and Re-beautifies the Landmark Home’s Backyard

[ad_1]

A couple months ago, I wrote a story for Remodelista about a modernist landmark Brooklyn Heights townhouse restored by Starling Architecture. The post focused on the sophisticated midcentury-style kitchen, but I was equally enamored with the verdant backyard, cleverly laid out as multiple outdoor “rooms.”

The goal, says landscape designer Nishiel Patel, the mastermind behind the exterior overhaul, was to forge a better connection between the inside and outside. “Previously overgrown with non-native shrubs, the garden acted as a barrier between the two ‘living rooms’ (interior and exterior), discouraging use of the garden completely,” she explains. In addition, the path from the home to the rear pergola (the main living space in the backyard) was awkward, requiring “two sharp turns to even enter the garden.”

Her solution: “We designed the garden to re-orient the home and the exterior deck [the rear pergola] towards a central and usable verdant courtyard, unlocking new views and connections between the two.”

Here’s how Nishiel reset the landscape design on the right path.

Photography by Adrian Gaut, styling by Glen Proebstel, courtesy of Starling Architecture.

Above: “The facade of the house is landmarked, including the integrated large plant beds and entry stairs, so we treaded lightly,” explains Nishiel. “We did, however, add a Hollywood juniper and two Japanese maples to the front with a shrubby understory of rugosa rose and ‘Pee Wee’ oakleaf hydrangeas. The junipers and maples were selected for their twisted and gracefully open forms, respectively, as a contrast to the monolithic cube form of the house. Both trees are commonly found in the neighborhood which, over time, will make them feel as if they’ve always been there.”

Above: Nishiel redirected the path from the interior living room to the exterior living room (the raised deck with pergola in the rear) so that it was more straightforward and easily accessible. In the middle, she added a fire pit area with Adirondack chairs (left) and a hot/cold plunge station (right).

Above: “While the garden’s primary exposure is from the south, the light is filtered through two existing and large honey locust trees on the adjacent street. Naturally, the light is dappled, and the pockets of more direct and intense light change throughout the day. So we chose to create a matrix of plants that do well in the shade (oakleaf hydrangea, Pennsylvania sedge, Japanese anemone, Actaea, and Brunnera), and then a lot of perennials that prefer varying levels of direct sun (Amsonia hubrichtii, Sesleria autumnalis, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea ‘White Swan’, Martagon lilies, Verbascum, and Penstemon), with the goal of letting nature take over at some point. The plants will do well if they find themselves in a location that allows it!”

Above: The cedar hot tub is from Northern Lights with the all-electric pumps, and the cold plunge is the Cold Stoic from Renu Therapy. “Both are intentionally recessed into the new deck so that they appear almost like pure shapes carved into the deck rather than stand-alone objects. This meant that we needed to excavate and retain the earth below by almost four feet to maintain airflow around them and provide subgrade drainage (in the form of a dry well) when the pools needed to be drained. We took advantage of the space below to also hide the hot tub equipment and provided a secret hatch in the deck for access below.”

[ad_2]

Source link

October 1, 2024
Before & After: Converting an Unusable, Exposed London Rooftop Into a Tranquil, Private Terrace – Gardenista

[ad_1]

We generally save the “before” images for the end of our articles, but in this case, it’s helpful and inspiring to see upfront the space pre-remodel. Take a look at this entirely drabby and exposed rooftop. If a tiny, depressing roof can be transformed into a private urban oasis, one that invites lingering and relaxation, then anything’s possible.

The incredible terrace makeover is the work of London-based landscape designer Lis Eriksson. Her client gave her free rein over the design but did have a few requests: 1) adequate shade as he is fair-skinned; 2) low-pollen plants on account of his allergies; and 3) flowers in shades of purple, his favorite color.

Here’s what Lis delivered.

Photography by Rachel Warne.

Before

Above: The roof of the Victorian coach house pre-transformation. Skylights protruding onto the roof made it unusable for the homeowner. The entire space measures just 9 square meters (or 29.5 square feet).

After

Above: The client can now walk out directly onto a tranquil rooftop deck. Partitions composed of Sapele slats, lightly brushed with Rustoleum paint in Chalk, provide privacy.

Above: Everything, from the plant design to the custom built-ins, was designed by Lis. A pergola offers ample shade, as promised. “I also added a heater hanging from the pergola so that he can comfortably enjoy the space in the colder months,” she shares.

[ad_2]

Source link

March 20, 2024
Experts Explain How a Pergola Can Transform Any Backyard Space

[ad_1]

For homeowners looking for an easy and cost-effective way to enhance their landscaping and maximise the potential of the backyard, a pergola can be an excellent addition.

Press Release
–

Dec 12, 2022 08:00 AEDT

MELBOURNE, Australia, December 12, 2022 (Newswire.com)
–
Offering shelter from the sun and protection from the weather, pergolas provide a unique aesthetic appeal, and the right design can completely transform any backyard space. Here, the experts from Softwoods, an independent South-Australian-owned company offering high-quality outdoor structures, explain how.

According to Softwoods, regardless of whether homeowners do a lot of entertaining or simply want a place to relax outside, pergolas are the ideal way to define an outdoor space. Creating a central focal point to complement landscaping, a pergola also helps to maximise the backyard’s potential by making the space useable in all weather conditions.

As well as offering protection from the sun and rain, Softwoods explains that pergolas can also offer privacy from neighbours, enabling homeowners to entertain and relax without interference. By adding colour, plants and other decorative objects, pergolas contribute to the overall visual appeal of an outdoor space, plus these structures are also an ideal place for seating or an outdoor kitchen.

Offering DIY pergola kits that are truly unique in their versatility, Softwoods says the addition of a pergola to any backyard space will create a distinct environment that can’t be achieved with any other landscaping feature. From timber varieties to the endless shapes, sizes and combinations of designs, the pergola kits from Softwoods can be personalised to exactly suit the needs and preferences of the homeowner.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the DIY pergola kits from Softwoods feature structures pre-cut to the precise measurements supplied by the customer and include all fittings, roofing and guttering.

For those who prefer a hands-off experience, Softwoods also offers a complete solution encompassing custom-designed and built pergolas. Helping homeowners realise the design they have in mind, Softwoods uses unique software to draw up precise council plans and submits them along with documentation on behalf of the homeowner.

In addition to offering pergolas, Softwoods also provides decking, carports, fences and screens. To learn more, contact the team today.

Source: Softwoods

[ad_2]

Source link

December 11, 2022