Page 12 - Klahanie September-October, 2019 Issue
P. 12
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Making Your Home And Yard -
Work Together In Harmony
B E FO R E By Jeff Skierka
When Ted and Kerstin McKee fi rst These pre-design conversations
approached me about remodeling became the perfect platform to
the backyard of the home they create a rolling fi ve-year plan
were just moving into, they were where each year’s projects formed
a little surprised when I fi rst the basis for the following year’s
suggested that we spend some additions.
time discussing their lifestyle and
how they would like the outside The process began with the
removal of the lawn and
spaces to complement their life. I foundation planting so that we
explained my philosophy that the could lay mortar set fl agstone
home architecture and the natural walkways along the entire length
elements of the property both of the backyard. Next we replaced
have to be matched to the needs the small original patio area with
of the homeowners.
matching fl agstone and added a
Kerstin is an artist with a studio built in barbecue and smoker.
in the house and wanted an Along the walkway we crafted
outside environment that helped
to create a tranquil place to work points of interest using natural
water features and artwork to
and spaces in the yard where invite people to slow down and
her art could be displayed. She explore the visual elements.
and Ted wanted the bordering As the yard was slowly
greenbelt to be an element in redeveloped, we were
the backyard that would give mindful to add LED lights
the feeling or endless undefi ned for both function and
space. They both acknowledged drama.
that they loved spending time
in the backyard entertaining but The plantings selected
spending a lot to time working all blend in with
A F T ER on the yard was defi nitely not nature and require
A F T ER
desired. low maintenance.
A few edibles along
the way add to the
natural freshness of the
experience.
experience.
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