Crafting Spaces That Feel Like Home

Vision: Dave approached us with a blank canvas - a steep hillside with minimal entertaining space off the deck areas. His vision was to dramatically increase the 'WOW! factor' of the house from the lake view while creating ample areas for entertaining and enjoying the landscape.

Execution: We began by reinforcing the existing seawall with natural boulders and installing stone steps for easy access to the water. To address the steep hillside, we implemented a combination of natural boulder retaining walls and wall blocks, creating a balanced and contrasting look around the steps leading up to the house and upper deck.

One of the standout features of this project was the series of paver landings we integrated within the terracing, providing multiple levels for entertaining and relaxation. Near the top of the hillside, we crafted a unique boulder bench seat, offering a perfect spot to take in the lake views. The result was a transformed lakeside landscape that not only enhanced the property's visual appeal but also significantly expanded its functional outdoor living space, making it one of our favorite projects in recent years.

Vision: This family approached us with a request to re-imagine their lakefront property. Their goal was to create an atmosphere that could accommodate a large number of guests while still adhering to their budget constraints. They wanted a versatile outdoor space that would be perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the lakefront views.

Execution: To meet the family's needs, we began by installing steps and natural boulder retaining walls, creating easy access and attractive walkways along the front of the house. We also constructed a small seawall using natural boulders to protect the shoreline from further erosion, seamlessly integrating it with the landscape. After the seawall installation, we backfilled the entire lakefront area, preparing it for the next phase of the project.

The centerpiece of our design was a massive flagstone patio area, perfect for fires and entertaining. This expansive space provides ample room for gatherings while offering stunning views of the lake. To balance the hardscaped areas, we maintained a generous beach sand area for tanning and relaxing, ensuring that the family and their guests could enjoy a variety of outdoor activities while staying within budget.

Vision: The client at Lee Point Rd. approached us with a request to revamp the front of their house's landscaping while maintaining the original footprint of the existing landscape. They wanted to modernize and enhance the curb appeal of their property without drastically altering its overall layout.

Execution: To bring the client's vision to life, we began by completely removing all existing landscaping elements, creating a clean slate while respecting the original footprint. The cornerstone of our design was the installation of grand flagstone for all patios and walkways, instantly elevating the property's aesthetic appeal. We replaced the old, failing timber steps with elegant stone steps, enhancing both safety and visual appeal.

A key feature of our design was the creation of a beautiful multi-terraced flower bed along the hillside leading down the drive. This not only added visual interest and depth to the landscape but also provided ample space for a variety of plants and flowers, ensuring year-round color and texture. The result was a transformed front yard that perfectly balanced sophistication with the home's existing character, creating a welcoming and impressive entrance that exceeded the client's expectations.

Vision: Jean approached us with a unique challenge: to create a cohesive and purposeful design for her lakefront property while preserving its cherished summer cottage ambiance. Her vision encompassed connecting various outdoor spaces seamlessly, enhancing functionality without compromising the property's rustic charm. Jean sought a design that would foster a sense of unity between the main house, guest cabin, and outdoor entertaining areas, all while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the natural lakefront setting.

Execution: To bring Jean's vision to life, we established new planting areas using Versa-Lok retaining wall blocks, complemented by high-format steps leading to a timber frame path. This pathway serves as the property's backbone, unifying the main house, guest cabin, and outdoor entertaining spaces. A centerpiece of our design is a beautiful circular patio featuring a semi-circle bench seat surrounding a custom-made fire pit, creating an inviting focal point for gatherings.

We crafted steps leading through a natural boulder retaining wall, creating a seamless transition to a newly formed beach area. This multi-functional space allows Jean and her guests to fully enjoy the lakefront setting. The careful balance we achieved between natural elements and modern hardscaping materials respects the property's cottage roots while introducing contemporary comfort and style, resulting in a connected, purposeful outdoor living space that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Vision: Lisa approached us with a dual-purpose project in mind. She wanted to create a new planting area to enhance the beauty of her property while also addressing practical concerns about her driveway and parking area. Lisa's vision was to maximize her outdoor space efficiently, combining aesthetics with functionality.

Execution: To meet Lisa's needs, we designed and constructed a multi-terraced retaining wall system that seamlessly transitions into a single wall along the driveway. This innovative design not only created the desired planting area but also effectively expanded and preserved her driveway and parking space. We built the terraced walls using high-quality materials that complemented Lisa's home's exterior, incorporating subtle curves to soften the overall look and create visual interest.

The upper terrace was designed with ample depth to accommodate a variety of plants, allowing Lisa to express her creativity in landscaping. As the terraced wall system approaches the driveway, it elegantly merges into a single, continuous wall that runs alongside it, preventing soil erosion and maintaining the integrity of the expanded driveway area. To finish the project, we repaved and slightly widened the driveway, creating additional parking space as Lisa desired, resulting in a harmonious blend of form and function.

Vision: Mark approached us with a unique challenge: his house was completely hidden from the road, accessible only by a small trail. His vision was to create an elegant driveway with shrubs, planting areas, and a front lawn on either side, transforming the approach to his home into a welcoming and sophisticated entrance.

Execution: We began by clearing out the entire front half of Mark's lot, extending all the way to the road while carefully preserving healthy, purposeful groves of trees on either side. This initial step opened up the space and created a blank canvas for our design. To establish a stable foundation, we brought in several yards of sand, topsoil, and gravel, creating an open and level yard in front of the home.

The centerpiece of our design was an elegant driveway, which we lined entirely with natural stone edging to create a refined look and feel. To enhance the landscape, we planted boxwood hedges and hydrangeas along the driveway, adding texture and color to the space. These carefully chosen plantings not only accent the driveway but also contribute to the overall elegant atmosphere Mark desired, resulting in a transformed and inviting entrance to his property.

Vision: Nate presented us with a challenging yet exciting project: a blank slate new construction with perfect but challenging terrain. His vision was to create both beach access and an upper beach relaxation area, maximizing the potential of his lakefront property.

Execution: To realize Nate's vision, we began by carefully assessing the terrain and designing a solution that would seamlessly integrate with the natural landscape. The centerpiece of our design was the creation of an upper beach area using natural boulders, providing a stunning vantage point for relaxation and entertainment.

We then installed a massive staircase that gracefully descended from the house to the beach. This staircase was not just functional but also a key design element, featuring multiple flagstone landings that offered both visual interest and practical resting spots. The use of flagstone tied the staircase aesthetically to the upper beach area, creating a cohesive look throughout the property. The result was a harmonious blend of natural elements and thoughtful design, transforming the challenging terrain into a multi-level lakeside retreat that perfectly balanced accessibility with luxury.

Vision: Joanne approached us with a vision to revitalize her overgrown beachfront property. Her primary goal was to protect her shoreline while simultaneously creating an inviting space for relaxation and entertainment. She emphasized the need for a low-maintenance solution that would withstand the elements and provide a beautiful backdrop for family gatherings during the summer months.

Execution: Our team began by thoroughly clearing the entire beachfront area between the house and the lake, creating a blank canvas for our design. We then installed a substantial limestone seawall, complete with integrated steps for easy beach access. This robust structure not only provides superior shoreline protection but also offers Joanne peace of mind regarding the long-term stability of her property.

To further enhance the landscape's resilience and natural beauty, we introduced a variety of native Michigan plants, including dwarf sumac. These carefully selected species play a crucial role in stabilizing the soil and mitigating erosion caused by wind and water. As a finishing touch, we imported and spread over 80 yards of premium sugar sand, transforming the area into a pristine, inviting beach that perfectly complements the new landscape design.