The Choices--Stone

Met w/client today to make some final decisions on the stonework for the project I've been blogging about. Here's the decisions for the walkways, patio floor and the seatwalls and garden wall. The details will be charcoal granite cobbles and treads.

Patio floor & Walks (that's Harry the dog's head)

Seat wall and garden wall

Bucking against the bluestone standard

The client for the project mentioned in my previous post hates bluestone. Bluestone and brick are the standard for patios in this area and I've not run into anyone who hates it before. This client wants an antique look for his patio and garden. I went to two stone yards yesterday with this in mind to photograph ideas for him to look at. Here are some wonderful solutions. All are locally sourced, very rustic/antique looking and relatively easy to work with. We are going to be using a 4" cobble detail similar to what is shown in the bottom detail through out the project to define lawn areas, stone 'carpets' and lawn markers in the 'playing field'.

Sports from a non sporty designer

I've been working on a challenging project for the past several weeks--a back yard play space/entertaining space/adult enclosed garden for family with 4 active, sports addicted boys. The owner wants everything to look 'old' as if it's been there for a long time. We'll be using repurposed and refinished architecturally salvaged ironwork through out, dry stacked walls and a still to be determined paving stone--he hates bluestone.

I did a down and dirty color rendering. It's not very high res so the detail gets lost. There's a large patio/pergola area that is connected by a walk from the driveway, a formal(ish) sculpture garden and a huge playing field for the boys.

The great news is that I'm working again instead of just pretending to work...I guess the slump is over.

Working through the slump

Having dealt with the designer's version of writer's block off and on for years, I know that the best way for me is to work through the slump. When I'm in this state I'm easily distracted and it takes a while to find the flow. Too much going on around me all the time and major life changes are not helping the distraction/procrastination levels. Work it, that's the only way through the tunnel.

Where have I been?????

I haven't been here, that's for sure. I've been struggling this year with creative angst, a looming empty nest, health issues and life at large. I think I'm coming out the other side now minus a gall bladder, soon to be minus a teenager, and still struggling with the angst. Oh, well. I'll post soon with something much more charming...