The outdoors was brought in, by adding a private covered porch area – leading to an etched concrete patio.  In addition,  we were able to modify the steep elevation in their yard to create a flat play area for soccer practicing and other outdoor activities.

To read more about this Project click here!

With the realities of real winter weather hitting us this year, getting the structure up – and keeping the cold temperatures from the existing spaces was a challenge.   We were able to get the steps, and the concrete porch floor in without too much trouble……but the patio and landscaping is another story.

Chris Maestro, and Classic Concrete Design will be installing the etched concrete patio for the addition, but it will have to wait for more favorable weather.  Soggy ground and nightly freezing just don’t mix well with a specialty concrete application.

To read more about this post click here!

There’s a long list of things to do and I’m going to pace myself. Life has been stressful and I’m going to find ways to relax. The landscape infrastructure is unique with gravel pathways bordered by site-made curbs in which tumbled glass found at the landfill got embedded. Site-made stepping stones are at every entryway and pathway. They’ve got embedded river stones and are colored to match the color of the exterior concrete slabs. River stone is also acting as mulch in the raised beds my son and I built. Down the road in a couple of months we’ll start putting in some plantings.

Clearing a lot and building from scratch means you sacrifice a mature landscape. Going into an older neighborhood and remodeling a house has its attractions. But this is out of town in the county. So I’ve got an energy efficient house in which I’m looking forward to experiencing the radiant floor heat. There’s also a wood-burning fireplace and the heat pump for backup.
The 9’-4” ceiling height, open floor plan, large south facing windows, all give a spacious feeling to the 1800 sq.ft. of living space. All in all it’s unique, special, creative, comfortable and enjoyable.

For a slide show of the construction of this home click here.

To read more about this post click here!

The adjoining landscaping posed a significant challenge as well.  Jonah Roberts, owner of Lael Landscapes in Raleigh, NC created a landscape design that not only addressed the structural elevation issues of the property, but did it in a way that provided a striking balance of function and beauty to the  project.
The retaining walls he created can be seen here in the background.

To read more about this project click here!