Award: 2025 Award for Residential Landscape Design & Installation over $100,000
Project: East Grand Rapids Residence
Designer: Brian Diemer, Owner/Vice President
A young family with children purchased the long-standing, maturely landscaped East Grand Rapids home. Well, that meant that things were about to change!
The owners and I walked about their property determining what they wanted to keep from the previous landscaping and what we should remove that distracted from the natural beauty they wanted to highlight. A pool was part of the conversation because they wanted to have a reason for their energetic children to stay in the yard! It was determined Everett’s Landscape Management Inc. would help them design a yard that would have and hold this family!
As our crews began the necessary excavation work the many rocks, logs, and layers of soil gave evidence of the property’s many past landscape projects. It was satisfying to remove the clutter, refresh the soil, and prune the old plantings that would stay as a testament to the past work the well-loved property had received. We also fertilized the soil along the border of the property to give renewed vigor to the screening trees.
Everett’s did all the excavation and drainage around the pool and assisted the pool company with their piping and utilities. It’s not always so easy sharing a workspace with other contractors but we made it work together!
In the planning phase, traffic patterns were studied and accounted for within the design. With the pool as a major center point, the owners wanted to have as many options for all ages to enjoy the new backyard! Gathering places were created around food, fire, water, comfort, and the sandbox. These all were tied together with a random pattern of pavers.
Boardwalk pavers were chosen as the main pavers throughout the space with the addition of the darker Manhattan pavers to highlight the designated gathering spaces. Oxford pavers were used as a soldier course to further define the edge of both the patio as a whole and the different gathering areas.
Our mason created three areas of wonder within these specified gathering spaces with custom rock work. The stone chosen pairs well with the owner’s preferred color pallet as shown in the continuity with the color of the home and the lounge furniture. Using the same stone for the outdoor kitchen, the hot tub, and the fire pit along with the seating wall surrounding it unites the three spaces together within the landscape.
The patio extends in a pathway around one side of the home to connect the front and back landscaping. In discussions with the owners having a pathway on the other side of the home was something they wanted. Instead of continuing the pavers around this side as well, we decided to create a pathway with flagstone to give another focal point within the landscaping that serves an important purpose. The red undertones in the Chilton Flagstone help to pair the more natural-looking pathway to the patio. Having the flagstones split off gives many pathway options for people to move from one location in the landscape to the other.
Another important component of this landscape project was the lighting. We incorporated simple lighting to properly show the special plantings the owners loved. This gives an elevated look to the blended spaces within the landscape.
This landscaping brings together many different elements in an intentional mixing of natural and man-made to cater to a family with many different needs. Necessities and desires come together in a beautiful landscape that this property and its owners will love for a long while.
