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Old Country farm houseDescription of original landscapeThe property has many mature trees that where over grown and needed pruning and preservation to keep to the original architecture of the property which the home was built in 1890. The steps where deteriorating in the back of the home and the front main entrance to the home. The bushes were over grown and hiding the façade of the home, with poor drainage around the entire property along with old oil fill tank that had to be capped off prior to project starting. Owner’s vision and goalsThe owners’ vision was to use materials from back to the era of the home originated and tied into the home architecturally was a key element. Re-do the front entrance of the home to help direct visitors and guests to the front door which was confusing on this home with a tuck under garage. Have an entertainment space to hang out with their dogs, area to read a book on a beautiful Minnesota summer afternoon. Relaxing environment after working out in the exercise room where client can have some privacy from neighbor’s un-wanted views. Area to store garden tools and extra space since garage is very tight with two vehicles and elevation difference makes it difficult to get from garage to back yard. TriDesigns assessmentTri Design suggested that the front walkway needed to be expanded near the driveway to create a more inviting entrance for guests to let passengers out, and also direct people to the front door with a wider car port entrance. The back yard was very challenging because of the access into the site everything had to be wheel barrowed in over ramps out of the dump truck bed over the mortar block walls that stayed intact. Privacy screen with maintenance free decking was the only solution with the grade issues we where dealing with in such a tight area, transitioning down to the patio space entertainment area. Garden shed that can tie into the home architually and act as a storage area for tools, and garden lawn equipment. TriDesigns solutionTri Designs solutions for the project were to direct visitors to the front door and terrace the front entry area with natural fondu-lac walls and plantings that would give that would tie into the homes architecture and surroundings. The plantings would add seasonal color throughout the four seasons and hide utilities that are insight in this garden, and create fragrance and visual interest by helping direct the eye; while you walk up a stamped concrete walkway with a natural stone color and pattern to balance the stone walls. Drainage was a key concern, by re-grading around the home to get positive drainage and re designed the gardens for the home owner to plant her own plants since she loves to garden. The garden shed was added in a part of the yard that was never really used before and it also helps screen out the clients views to there neighbors home. The shed storage capabilities are great to store all her garden tools and potting supplies for the potted arrangements that complement the property. A beautiful maintenance free deck was designed for a seating area of the exercise room that steps down to a brick paver patio that creates the old charm and character. Low voltage lighting sets the mood for the parties that take place on the patio, and adds security for the property on this Minnetonka wooded lot. The homeowners like seeing their dogs run around at night with the lighting, and make sure they are safe and sound. Homeowner Testimonial"Tom has designed 3 big projects for us: • a beautiful boulder wall backing up into our woods For each of these projects, we found Tom’s range of ideas and creativity to be exceptional. He has taken our very countrified setting and crafted improvements that fit in beautifully. Tom takes particular pride in getting things “right,” and in the event that there were issues, problems or concerns were resolved immediately and without concern for who was right or wrong….just a need to make sure we were happy. He has also been readily available to respond to our needs for landscaping projects that are a little more pedestrian such as a drainage field, filling in a large area with rock and dirt (after buck thorn removal) to ready it for gardens, and mulching large areas. Again, done quickly and well.
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