Hardscape Solutions: Geometric gem

Company: Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers
Location: Portland, Ore.

This hardscape project was part of a new build for past clients of Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers. To create the contrast between the modern design of the home and the surrounding forest, Landscape Designer Eric Hagberg incorporated concrete, steel, custom-fabricated planter boxes and water elements.

The stair-step design of the driveway edges was inspired by the tree protection fence. Irregularly shaped plant beds were incorporated to minimize the dominance of the large driveway and tree protection fence. Side yards also link the design elements together.

“Side yards aren’t where people invest a lot of money or design,” Hagberg says. “These side yards are a unique part that connect the front to the back.”

Hagberg says the clients wanted to have a nook created in a Japanese-style garden, which was a departure from the modern design of the rest of the landscaping. This garden was intended to be viewable from the master bedroom only.

Another challenge was creating a level rear lawn from a sloped and uneven plot. The company installed a 4-foot retaining wall to reduce the slope and 500 cubic yards of soil were placed to build up the grade an additional 4 feet.

This project earned Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers a 2019 Gold Award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Awards of Excellence program.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

The front entry of this home highlights the overall aesthetic to blend the natural with the man-made elements.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

Details include a front entry reflection pond.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

A tree protection fence in the form of concrete and steel landscape walls guided the design.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

The modern and natural contrast is reflected with a geometric driveway detail with rain chain and surrounding planting.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

The goal of this project was to create a blend of modern lines of the home softened by the landscape that transitions to the surrounding forest.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

An overhead view of how the landscaping was created to complement the newly constructed modern home while transitioning to the natural feel of the surrounding forest.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

A lava column rock and steel planters continue the blending of modern design and natural surroundings.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

A before photo of the back of the house.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

An after photo of the back of the house and landscaping.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

Outdoor living area created in the backyard.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

The modern design of the spa area contrasts the soft grasses of the landscape design and surrounding forest.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

Clean and modern lines are reflected in the landscape with accents of soft grasses, boulders and natural stones and a water feature.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

The clients wanted to have a Japanese-style garden visible from the master bath.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

An important part of the project was a large, level rear lawn, but the existing plot of land had a significant slope to it. The company added a four-foot retaining wall and additional soil to build up the grade. The company also created an infinity lawn edge, which created the illusion of the lawn disappearing over the edge of the slope.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

A before photo of the long approach of the driveway into the forest setting of the new build.

Photo: Maxwell Monty/Maxwell Monty Photography

The client wanted an easily-maneuverable front driveway with ample parking for guests.