December 2009 Project of the Month

When Leonidov Fairchild arrived at the clients' residence and found out that the front driveway was to be converted into a front private garden (as seen in this "before" picture), she recalls, "My mind immediately ran with creative thoughts. Of course, I took into consideration the existing criteria."

With nearly 10 years into their 2,400-ft. elevation foothills home, the clients had lived long enough with their landscape and home to know they appreciated simple practicality. The clean lines and traditional style were already exemplified in their remodeled pool garden, orchard garden and beautiful renovated interior — and as seen in the photo, Leonidov Fairchild's design follows suit.

The design site in question is the most prominent space: the entry to their residence. It called for an equally clean and functional space as the rest of their home site. The only approach to the house was also the only vantage point to it: When turning into the driveway, one is greeted immediately by the garage, then the pool, and finally the house at the end of a long driveway. Several issues were quickly evident. To visitors, curb appeal was non-existent and the hidden main entry to the residence yielded an uncomfortable and hesitant welcome. To the residents, the problems included the lack of a formal outdoor room where they could enjoy large gatherings with cookouts and dining, even in the rain; privacy from the only neighboring house, which included a frequently barking dog; deer; and snow. With an existing large expanse of exposed aggregate concrete in perfect condition, Leonidov Fairchild's solution was a large, private courtyard.

With a budget of less than $40,000, the clients' vision included an outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill and intimate stone fireplace. To that, she added a curved seating area with a bold blue wrought iron see-through "wall," a solid stucco wall and planter to add solid privacy in the most prominent area to block the neighbor's field of vision, and a double-hinged blue iron gate that is wide enough for a utility vehicle to pass through.

To add welcoming visual and auditory interest from the inside as well as to visitors, and to break up the large expanse of concrete, a large circular planter was cut out in the middle of the courtyard to include a specimen olive tree and a discreet millstone water feature.

As part of the existing concrete, a 10 x 10 pad was the perfect setting for a new gazebo (seen here behind the wall). It was raised to break up the horizontal landscape, a solid roof was added to match that of the house, and screen netting was added to enjoy the ambiance in the evenings despite the forest mosquitoes. This outdoor dining was tied to the existing wrought iron orchard area with 6-ft.-high nylon deer fencing.