The new custom iron gate from the patio...
Designed to celebrate the branching pattern of a two-hundred year old Oak over the garden, the new iron gate offers a unique entrance to the private space.
Jesse and Gavin of Rustworks in San Carlos fabricated the custom ironwork, making it contour to the boulder with natural lines. Check out more of their awesome work @ http://www.rustworks.com/
A permeable stone patio is both a healthy hardscape under an Oak and a relaxing garden space.
Native plantings will include this young Ribes viburnifolium as a groundcover under the Oak.
The new doors are headed with aged wood lintels, once the door of an antique ship.
Both new doors are framed with hand cut stone.
The new door being added to the downstairs bedroom.
The homeowners' travels bring them many beautiful art pieces that become expressions in the garden. Here, hand painted tiles add color to the steps of a utility area while an Iguana sculpture from a trip to Mexico gives a personal touch to the custom patio bench.
Antonio artfully hand finishes each stone while the team mortars the new landings in place.
Antonio and Checko forming the new steps and door landings.
The old steps...
The finished boulder set.
Chico inspects the finished hole before the boulder arrives.
A mighty big hole is excavated for the new boulder to be set.
The rocks arrive and are ready to be set.
The overall health of the Oak is considered throughout the entire process. So storm water will not pool at the trunk of the old Oak, Frank and his team ran the downpipes across the property to a safe distance at the edge of the driveway.
The new stone patio is mortarless and permeable. Trino spreads and grade the baserock to the new level.
Frank Niccoli and his award winning company The Village Gardener meet to discuss the project. From left to right, Dawna, Frank, and Ricardo.
The old concrete is broken up and recycled and the bricks were donated.
The Oak canopy covers the entire site determining the plant community and overall Plan design.
The before picture facing the rear of the house with garage to the right.
This two-hundred year old Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak will be the centerpiece of the new garden. The new garden elements will celebrate and enhance it's natural beauty.
An illustrative perspective for the garage as a living wall with new fountain and fixtures including stonework around the door and an urbanite path leading thru a custom gate.
The garage facing the garden before...
Pictured here before, the window to the left will be a new door with stonework connecting to the patio landing.
The garden entrance before. The focus on this space was of openness and connection to the new garden elements and tying into the custom iron fixtures.
Many photos courtesy of Sylvia Rupilius. Thanks, Sylvi!
